This spoiler was written on turn 134. I will not read other people's spoilers until I've reached turn 150.
- What did you think about before starting the game, what was your approach to this game?
A complex game with many possibilities, given the large map and the unusually high number of unique luxuries in the vicinity of Beijing. I agree that it is a domination-friendly map, firstly because several secluded towns can be built to the west without danger of invasion. Secondly, with the water between us and England we can prepare ourselves undisturbed. The only immediate threat appeared to be Mongols. Paradoxically, I thought it safe to declare war on Mongols early. I only captured one worker from them, but have stayed at war constantly. In that way, I had the option to sign a white peace if they should send a "stack of doom" (the term was more accurate in Civ3). That never happened, so now I have gone on the offence instead.
My goal is basically to win the game without heavy modern warfare, but of course things are dragged out since it's a large map.
- Where did you settle and what did you build first?
Settled on the incense. It wasn't going to cost a one turn delay and happiness would come in quicker. 3 scouts followed. Moving away from the wheat tiles was a slight minus in the early stages. Compared to those who might have settled on the hill, it's minus one hammer of course.
- How did the terrain and map settings affect your early decisions?
It felt interesting to go for Liberty for once. There was enough space for it and the VC encourages it. I wanted an early settler for Mount Uluru and the 3 different luxes surrounding it. There was an obvious risk that Polynesia would snag it otherwise, and I didn't want to build a shrine, which at a high large map pantheon cost is ineffective anyway. So I actually built a settler before Collective Rule.
I also decided to settle Mount Sinai. This was a more doubtful choice, given the lousy growth opportunities. When the pantheon came in I picked One with Nature and got 8 faith from that. How does that compare with 1c,1f,1g,1p,1s from God-King? It is a bit better, but you'd have to take into account that one city is unproductive. Again, it's a complex game.
- What were your initial priorities?
Like I said, Uluru. Then there was the usual worker stealing. I got 5 workers from Wittenberg and one from Mongolia. Pretty ineffective. Did anyone do it differently? I didn't dare to declare war on Polynesia too, and I never attack more than one city state because of the penalties.
- What tech path did you follow and why?
I really couldn't see a pattern to follow, since almost all paths led to something useful. Down the road, I started focusing on the techs on the lower part of the tech tree. The ultimate target is Chu-Ko-Nu but also workshops, since I have chosen Guruship (+2 production if town has a specialist) as my second follower belief.
- What Social Policies did you choose?
Liberty only. Help was provided from Prague to get there a bit faster than the snail flies.
- What Wonders did you try to get and did you get them?
I have only gone for National College, which was completed somewhere around turn 110 by the free engineer from finishing the liberty tree. I've been tempted to go for other wonders but have resisted so far.
- Did you get a religion? What religious beliefs did you pick?
Indeed. Faith reached 20 fpt rather early.
Pantheon: One with nature.
Founder: Tithe
Follower: Holy Warriors
Follower 2: Guruship
Enhancer: Holy order (-30% cost for miss and inq)
It will be interesting to see if Holy Warriors can make a difference.
Goodie huts
1. Barb locations. 2. Pottery, good, because I started with mining. 3. Map. 4. Bronze w. 5. Archer upgr. 6. Map. 7. Culture, not perfect but very good timing - this seems to me to be one of the biggest early luck factors. 8. 30 faith. This was actually not enough to build a pantheon, but Uluru was worked a few turns later.
Other stuff
I have also been at war with Zulu and Assyria, plundering trade routes from both those civs and Mongols. All AIs are or have been at war except Polynesia, with or without my instigation. Zulus have taken a chunk of Assyria and India has been destroyed (stupidly enough before I could complete the mission of finding their lands). I'm hopeful that I will benefit from mutual AI destruction but there is a risk that Shaka grows very strong.
Screenshot
The biggest let-down is of course the growth. No food Caravans, tour routes for science and the money instead.
), which is much more useful, since they are bleeding units against each other.