Tips for small nations?

[King Ash]

I enjoy building up my cities first before going to war. I don't build many of them, 5-6 or so. But every time I get to the gunpowder age I'm overclassed by other civs. This is on moderate difficulty. For some reason once I get to the medieval era the AI gets the advantage on me. I suspect this is due to that they build more cities.

Is it even possible to win the game with only a few cities? And can anyone give me tips on staying ahead in the technological tech race without going to war early on?

 

[Abacus]

Actually, I think small nations work best, especially early on. The extra maintenance from additional cities is a heavy burden.

Are you throughly developing your cities with farms and cottages? The extra commerce from cottages, especially, is important in the tech race.

Another early strategy that like is chop rushing the pyramids, which allows you to choose representation when you get specialists, and, most importantly, generates points toward getting great engineers and nabbing another wonder or two. (leave three forests in your city radius though, for +2 health).

 

[King Ash]

Another early strategy that like is chop rushing the pyramids,

I hadn't thought of that.
But my problem is not early on actually. I start to get outclassed in more modern times. Most of the time I do great in the ancient age because I take time to develop my cities. Then I start getting problems in later ages. I'm doing something very wrong I suppose.

I really get the feeling Civ2 was much easier...

 

[Abacus]

I'm only playing on Noble while I learn the new game mechanics, but so far I've tried two strategies that worked well: filling the map with cottages and building the classic "super science city" by generating lots of great scientists, and joining them to the city. Great engineer rushing the great library was very helpful there.

The towns actually worked so well that I wonder why anyone would build anything else. I had so much commerce that even at 90% science I could rush build everything.

 

[suspendinlight]

It's a good idea to have at least 6 cities since many national wonders require that you have 6 theaters built or some other building.

 

[Dairuka]

Best advice I can give you is to research Writing, and Metal Casting early on; rather than go for one of the three early religions.

With the boosts to your research, as well as to production through building Libraries and Forges, you'll gain an early and quick lead over the other Civilizations who tend to go for the early religions.

This works especially well on Multiplayered, because other players are too concerned about getting one of the three early religions, rather than build up on their civilization infrastructure.

Don't worry about not having a state religion either. Code of Laws is VERY easy to get if you already have writing. With your huge research boosts, Theology and Divine Right will fall into your hands with not rouble. Not to mention Philosophy... =)