Tired of getting my butt kicked...

[catmandu]

Okay, I've been playing this for a couple of days now, and have not been able to finish a SINGLE GAME on any difficulty level. I used to be pretty good at Civ2, but this one seems to be a lot harder! Are different strategies needed than Civ2, or do I just suck that badly?
Any tips from the experts would be appreciated. I'd like to make it to the end of a game for once! (Even if I lose!)

 

[Erdrick]

What's the problem? When are you dying exactly? I decided to take a safe civ until I learn how to play civ3, so I took the greeks. They have a great defensive unit early on, and are peaceful so they don't have to worry about people being as quick to attack them. As far as strats, I guess everyone is still forming them, the only real one I've come up with so far is how I expand with my first few cities (if the terrain allows the strat). I build a couple roads with a worker, then I add the worker to my city, and produce a settler. I continue producing settlers as long as my population can support making another one. When the pop won't be able to support a new settler by the time it'll be completed, I build a hoplite first, and then the next time there is a lag I build a warrior or two, and then the next time I build a temple. I continue this method with all my cities though until I have at least 6-7 cities built, then I build a worker in my older cities, and start on wonders, improvements, etc.; and I continue the same strat with my newer 4-5 cities The greeks are given alphabet, so you only have to explore writing and literature and you can already build the Great Library Wonder. Maybe you should try the Greeks?

 

[catmandu]

Well, I finally finished one. I lost, but I got to the end! I was playing the Americans, on a small map, with India as my only opponent. Needless to say, he whipped the tar out of me. After watching the little replay thingie at the end, I think I've probably gotta build a LOT more cities, because he builds them like they are going out of style! At the end, he had 26, I had 10. Sooooo maybe that's part of my problem.

 

[ironfang]

My humble opinion is as follows.

If you are on a small map... dont use Americans or Germans. Your best bet would be using the Persians. Here is my reasoning.

Americans and Germans dont get their bonus units until late in the game. If you are on a small map as the Americans or Germans, and your opponent has units such as the Immortal... your time is definantly limited.

Americans and Germans have to survive late (in my opinion) into the game to be effective super powers.

Ironfang

 

[Faboba]

IMHO the later-game UUs should be made more powerful - The Germans and Americans are probably going to have some UUized slaying to catch up on and especially in the case of the panzer, there's always a good chance that if the germans have survived, they may well not have access to the resources to build it.

 

[KingSponge]

Try a game with the Iroquois who are VERY good starters. Once you get established you can take your time to learn the new stuff.

I recommend Iroquois because:

- They are Expansionistic so you start with a Scout and you get better stuff from barbarian settlements. Run around and grab everything.

- They are Religious so you get 1/2 price Temples out quickly and Temples bring in loads of Culture which expands your borders. Very important in Ancient era, IMHO.

- Their UU (Mounted Warrior) comes early as long as you get a Horse resource.

- Early UU means possibly early Golden Age to give you a nice boost over rivals. Early GA can mean turbo-charged advancement (ie building improvements, commerce, science, etc).

- Iroquois are made for early game exploitation. Take advantage of it and get ahead of your rivals!

 

[Diety]

Yep, go with the Iroqs. As a playtester said : they are great in the ancient times and that's when you win or loose the game, so...