TSG 263 Announcement

[Nizef]

Civilization 5 - Game of the Month Training Series Game 263
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Quick links: Upload submission | Opening actions | After actions

Welcome to the 263rd game in the GOTM V Training Series! This Series allows new and old Civilization V fans to try out many features from Civ5's expansions and DLCs in a friendly environment. Participants are encouraged to post questions, stories, advice, tricks and failures in the dedicated game threads (described below). Each game will specify the Civ you will play and the Victory Condition to strive for. You can read more about the GOTM and Training Series concept in this thread.

MUST READ!

Our most sacred rule: Do not replay any turns!
If you make a mistake, accept it, and try to recover through game-play. To ensure fair play and prevent results exclusions, please set your Autosaves to "1 turn". In the event of a computer crash while playing, just reload to the previous autosave, then play on the same way you played it the first time. Please let Leif or me know (either in the forums or through Private Message) if you experienced a crash and how many turns you replayed.

TSG 263 Details:

Game Settings:
Player (You): Shaka - the Zulus
Victory Condition: Domination (but all VCs are enabled)
Difficulty: Deity
Map Type/Size: Pangaea/Standard (8 Civs, 16 City-States)
Pace: Epic

Your Unique Characteristics:
UA: Iklwa: Maintenance fee for melee units reduced by 50%. All units need 25% less experience for next promotion
UB: Ikanda (Barracks): Unique promotions to pre-gunpowder melee units
UU: Impi (Pikeman). When attacking the Impis first make a range attack to damage the opposition. Upgrades to Riflemen.

Required DLC: All DLC
Starting Era: Ancient
Required game options: None
Enabled game options: None (You may turn on/off Quick Combat/Quick Movement using the game options menu at any time during gameplay.)
Game Version: This game was created in Civ5 Brave New World version 1.0.3.279.

Here is where you will start:

Information about threads associated with each individual TSG - Must Read if you are new to the Game of the Month!

Please note:

Spoiler :

If you wish to make a video of your game, please do not post any links to it until after the game submission date has passed. This is because of the potential spoilers that are created by posting before the end date. Thank you for your cooperation.
TSG Announcement thread (this one): This thread is used to announce the game and clarify the settings and rules (don't be afraid to ask questions). Its also used to discuss the game before you start, and post problems with opening the save. Please don't post any game-related info once you open and play the save. Instead use the next thread.
After Actions thread: In this thread you can post the results of your game. Please state your victory/loss date (preferably in the post title) and describe your path to glory in this post! Players are encouraged to provide feedback on the game. Some players like to replay the game, and although we will not record the results from a replay, you can still post your new experiences. The game will not be closed as such, but after one month, the results will be compiled, and will not necessarily be updated with reports coming in after the finish date.

File Upload System

Spoiler :

We have a game file upload system you can find here. Please use it to upload your completed first attempt by saving the game on the turn after your victory or defeat. (by using the "lemme play one more turn" feature) Please note: you must submit your game on the turn following Victory. If you continue to play, the game overwrites the data and your submission could be rejected by the submission system.
This game runs through March 16th 2025.

@The_J @Blake00

Attachments​

 

[sebtanic]

Shaka Deity domination! Niceeee

 

[Bol]

I would move the Warrior on the Marble and settle it if the land to the west is good; otherwise I'd settle on the hill on the north: although luxuries are far, the land is very good and you can at least expand cheaply to the Marble through a great farm tile.

 

[raider980]

Hey, I might be able to win a Deity - with Shaka and Domination I'll have a chance! I too will move the warrior to the Marble and see what's on the other side. Likely will settler there too. Nice desert start; would be good for Petra but no chance of that on Deity; but we're Shaka, who needs wonders.

 

[qontroL]

Shaka should be a fun one, I've never played a game as Zulu, but usually you guys give us really fun maps to get the most out of the Civ. So I'm interested to give it a go. I wonder how good the Impi actually are. I'm hoping to take out ~3 Civs using the Impi/Crossbow powerspike and then closing the game out with Cavalry/Arti but I guess we'll see how things go. Playing too aggressive too early usually doesn't go well on Deity, so timing is key.

 

[sebtanic]

So what policies are you guys planning to take? I'm leaning toward Tradition, but Honor or Liberty would also make sense...

 

[Nizef]

Shaka should be a fun one, I've never played a game as Zulu, but usually you guys give us really fun maps to get the most out of the Civ. So I'm interested to give it a go. I wonder how good the Impi actually are. I'm hoping to take out ~3 Civs using the Impi/Crossbow powerspike and then closing the game out with Cavalry/Arti but I guess we'll see how things go. Playing too aggressive too early usually doesn't go well on Deity, so timing is key.

I think Impis are quite good. However, on Deity the window of opportunity to actually use them is really narrow. That is the reason why this game is on Epic speed to give the Impis more turns to stay relevant. We had a discussion with @vadalaz, whether to go for Epic or Marathon speed. In the end I decided that Epic should be enough, since the early game on Marathon might be quite a pain.

 

[lymond]

seems like settlin' on marble is okay here since I don't think you can grab stone works anyway. I'd probably do a trad/lib combo but focus on trad first cause needs da science.

 

[qontroL]

I think Impis are quite good. However, on Deity the window of opportunity to actually use them is really narrow. That is the reason why this game is on Epic speed to give the Impis more turns to stay relevant. We had a discussion with @vadalaz, whether to go for Epic or Marathon speed. In the end I decided that Epic should be enough, since the early game on Marathon might be quite a pain.

Oooh, I hadn't even noticed the game was on Epic Speed, that could be interesting!! I have no experience on that speed so I wonder how the pacing is, I might not even need Cav/Arti in that case, pretty excited to try it out. In fact, waiting for Cav/Arti will probably feel like it takes an eternity.

I was definitely thinking of going Liberty into potentially Honor for the XP boost to make some giga units, but Im not sure, this spawn looks a bit dodgy. I'll have to explore to see if Liberty can be justified, since I dont usually like going Liberty with Spices and even moreso because the Spices aren't even on the river or next a hill so I cant settle on it.

 

[raider980]

Since this is Deity I'm going Tradition. It is just easier to play and I always do better with it; it has so many bonuses that I don't really need to think about. I always wonder if I should throw some Honor in there in a Dom game but then the first couple policies in Patronage are so so helpful too so I usually take those.

 

[Axolaan]

I've never won a deity game before by opening honor, this might be the game try it on. If there are better cities with a lot of production and happiness nearby, I'm gonna go for it.