Tis the size not the number

[BCLG100]

i normally build as many cities as possible as it supports a bigger army under monachy

 

[Higher Game]

That is true. Unit support is another benefit of ICS. The main benefit really is early game growth, however. And luxuries are amphlified. And culture. And production (less shield waste). And the power graph. And, most importantly, a good high score.

However, winning all the time with ICS and getting a freakish high score gets tiring, like when people won on deity by pop rushing mounted warriors or jag warrior rushes. I like stuff like one city challenges, it's cool.

 

[BachMusic]

I've answered my own question above--found it on another website.

By map size, the number of cities you can have before corruption increases:

Tiny: 12
Small: 14
Standard: 16
Large: 24
Huge: 32

 

[Tassadar]

I dont like ICS, i think its much better a few very good city and increase city size, a city on a river with 2 luxuries a temple and 10-20 % lux will reach size 12 into republic, producing about 20 shield a turn and several beaker if you got library, i am able to to take a lead in science on regent level easily and when you can crank up knight in 3-4 turn no tiny little city size 2 will survive.
ICS is an extrem settler diarhea done by human, i prefer much much more 15-20 very good city.