Game:Civ5 GOTM 179
Game status:Science Loss
Game date:1977AD
Turns played:397
Base score:1052
Final score:1052
Time played:2:43:00
Submitted save: Pachacuti_0397 AD-1977.Civ5SaveRenamed file:choraltrickster_C517901.Civ5Save
Very enjoyable, yet frustrating game. I had never played with Raging Barbs before, and have learned how crippling it is to a decent start. It seemed I was killing barbs around my capital forever before I could start expanding--not ideal for Liberty. Trying to set up maritime trade really set me back also. Eventually things got going ok. I had 6 cities on the starting continent. I built Oracle, Machu Picchu, Porcelain Tower, Big Ben, and Neuchwanstein. Unfortunately, France snowballed on their own continent and was doubling all other players in score by turn 220 (and won with a score of 4300+). Eventually they took most of the third continent from the other five Civs, with only Carthage having any relevance. I went Liberty/Commerce/Patronage with hopes of a strong economy and a peaceful and prosperous relationship with India that would help fuel a Diplomatic Victory. I, along with near everyone else, were forced to join France taking Autocracy (I initially adopted Freedom, but it didn't last). India went Order, and managed to hold off France's culture victory after they swept the other Civs with their culture with ease. Had I decided to conquer India my game would have ended 100+ turns earlier with a French Cultural Victory. In the late game I raced to try and win over all of the city states. I maxed gold production and GMs and sucked up my allies gold with loans. I came to within three City States of a diplomatic victory but couldn't get it done. France launched in 397 to end it. I never went to war once and ended the game with my initial warrior, never upgraded.
- How useful was your UA?
Built four terrace farms. Not game changing, but helped build a solid city in the interior near Uluru.
- Did you use spying to your advantage?
Yes. I spied almost exclusively on France as they were well ahead in tech all game. Once I was making my push with patronage, I had all my spies in City States.
- Did the map type help or hinder victory and how?
SIP capital was a pretty weak start, and the regional terrain was not great either. Having only India on the start continent slowed progress as other Civs benefitted from being on a continent together. France used its isolation to its full advantage.
- How did the difficulty level affect your game decisions?
I usually pay Immortal/Deity, so it was in line with my usual play. I would have liked to have settled one or two more cities but was too slow to find anywhere worthwhile.
- What Social Policies did you choose and in what order? Which Ideology did you choose?
Filled Liberty, Commerce, and Patronage. Opened Rationalism as soon as it was available. Opened Tradition after filling Liberty, with Commerce still not open. Tried to run Freedom but had to switch to Autocracy, and only took two policies.
- What techs did you prioritize ?
Focused on economy for the most part, with an early game focus on Oracle to finish Liberty and saving the Great Engineer for Machu Picchu.
- What did you think of the map and settings?[/QUOTE]
Loved them. I prefer to play Standard/Standard on Immortal, on Continents/Pangaea/Terra, so this was right up my alley. Would love to see every GoTM in line with these settings.