pholtz
King
Here's the start of my report. I really would like to learn how to do things better, so I'm just beginning with the start and asking for comments. I'll add the next phase soon (don't worry, more of the game will be in the next part, it's just that the start is so important).
I almost didn't play this game, thinking I would lose trying an Emperor game. But I had earlier decided to work on Culture wins, so decided to give it a try.
First, with a map type of "Mystery" I really don't know how many of you decided to settle in the middle of the first area. What if it turned out you were playing on an Island map? Anyway, that's what I was afraid of, so I settled on the hill next to the starting position, next to the sea, even though I knew it wasn't the best. Also I don't play standard speed much, so feel compelled to settle quickly.
As to starting tile. I still have questions as to the starting tile resources. If you settle on a hill you get an extra hammer, right? What about settling on an Ivory or a Wine. Can someone point out the answer please?
I started Scout/Monument/Scout. By the time the monument was done it was clear this was going to be a largish landmass, and I thought with the extra room of fewer AI civs and more City States, it would be important to explore. I'm glad I did, I got out to a great start, learning Archery, Calendar and Writing from the ruins. I'm sure some of you could have had a record beating time with that start, but I managed to just make it work.
I think I should have built an archer or two a bit earlier, as I had trouble with Barbarians. I never lost a unit, but had to retreat workers and later repair plundered tiles. The time/money I saved not getting the Archers earlier was more than lost to the barbs. My scouts also had some problems and had to rest and repair several times as I would run from one bow barb right into the range of another. Not sure if there is anything to be done about that, I did managed to explore the whole continent with my two scouts, eventually. Perhaps I should try and move onto hills as the first moved of my scout, as I then could retreat if unexpected barbs pop up. If I do it on the second move, I've got to sit and take at least one hit.
On turn 17 I took Tradition, thinking that the +3 Culture per turn was best. Turn 19 I popped a Culture hut and started Liberty.
Then I think I made a big mistake. After the second scout, I built a shrine, then because my lucky hut pops, went after the GL. I really don't know the timing of this game: When the GL will be built, when you should have your second city etc. Anyway, I did build the GL, but not being able to get a worker or settler out while doing so really cramped my start. I was planning to get a worker from stealing from a CS, but I always seemed unlucky, either no worker was there, or I had to run from barbs.
So on turn 28, I got the Citizenship Policy to get a worker. I was planning on buying a Settler, but the gold game in slower than planned. My Scouts were running into Barbs, and I was slow hooking up my Luxury items. I thought the Wheat and the Cows to the north were more important, and they were far from the Ivory and Wine. So, I'm building the GL, no Settler, and Barb problems. On turn 33 I started a Pantheon and took Fertility Rites. I didn't finish the Great Libary until turn 46, and really really needed an Archer to help with the Barbs.
So I start building an Archer. In retrospect I should have spent money on archers and not tried to save up for a Settler. The good part, by this time I had met Ramses, William and Genghis. Turn 48 I finally connected my Wine but no one had money. Best I could do was 83g/+3gpt. I probably shouldn't have taken that deal. I think I've learned how to put in values better during this game. On turn 43 I sold Ivory to Genghis for 145g/+3gpt. A bit better. I didn't finish making my Settler until turn 61.
Going to stop now and post a picture showing the situation on turn 62. There is a second worker I had taken from a Barb fort. It had belonged to a CS, I decided not to give it back, I needed it. You can see how much of the map I had explored in the mini-map. I'm good there. And As I said that starting location isn't the best, but lets assume that as a given. My Settler is on his way east to settle just east of the Ivory to pickup both the Spices and Crabs. One of my workers is on his way to the plundered tiles, the other starting a farm. I would appreciate any comments on my play up to now. Am I right on the lessons I've learned? I've started on the Oracle and have a policy to pick.
Reading other reports, I see some really good player also got the GL. How did you do that and not cripple your start?
I almost didn't play this game, thinking I would lose trying an Emperor game. But I had earlier decided to work on Culture wins, so decided to give it a try.
First, with a map type of "Mystery" I really don't know how many of you decided to settle in the middle of the first area. What if it turned out you were playing on an Island map? Anyway, that's what I was afraid of, so I settled on the hill next to the starting position, next to the sea, even though I knew it wasn't the best. Also I don't play standard speed much, so feel compelled to settle quickly.
As to starting tile. I still have questions as to the starting tile resources. If you settle on a hill you get an extra hammer, right? What about settling on an Ivory or a Wine. Can someone point out the answer please?
I started Scout/Monument/Scout. By the time the monument was done it was clear this was going to be a largish landmass, and I thought with the extra room of fewer AI civs and more City States, it would be important to explore. I'm glad I did, I got out to a great start, learning Archery, Calendar and Writing from the ruins. I'm sure some of you could have had a record beating time with that start, but I managed to just make it work.
I think I should have built an archer or two a bit earlier, as I had trouble with Barbarians. I never lost a unit, but had to retreat workers and later repair plundered tiles. The time/money I saved not getting the Archers earlier was more than lost to the barbs. My scouts also had some problems and had to rest and repair several times as I would run from one bow barb right into the range of another. Not sure if there is anything to be done about that, I did managed to explore the whole continent with my two scouts, eventually. Perhaps I should try and move onto hills as the first moved of my scout, as I then could retreat if unexpected barbs pop up. If I do it on the second move, I've got to sit and take at least one hit.
On turn 17 I took Tradition, thinking that the +3 Culture per turn was best. Turn 19 I popped a Culture hut and started Liberty.
Then I think I made a big mistake. After the second scout, I built a shrine, then because my lucky hut pops, went after the GL. I really don't know the timing of this game: When the GL will be built, when you should have your second city etc. Anyway, I did build the GL, but not being able to get a worker or settler out while doing so really cramped my start. I was planning to get a worker from stealing from a CS, but I always seemed unlucky, either no worker was there, or I had to run from barbs.
So on turn 28, I got the Citizenship Policy to get a worker. I was planning on buying a Settler, but the gold game in slower than planned. My Scouts were running into Barbs, and I was slow hooking up my Luxury items. I thought the Wheat and the Cows to the north were more important, and they were far from the Ivory and Wine. So, I'm building the GL, no Settler, and Barb problems. On turn 33 I started a Pantheon and took Fertility Rites. I didn't finish the Great Libary until turn 46, and really really needed an Archer to help with the Barbs.
So I start building an Archer. In retrospect I should have spent money on archers and not tried to save up for a Settler. The good part, by this time I had met Ramses, William and Genghis. Turn 48 I finally connected my Wine but no one had money. Best I could do was 83g/+3gpt. I probably shouldn't have taken that deal. I think I've learned how to put in values better during this game. On turn 43 I sold Ivory to Genghis for 145g/+3gpt. A bit better. I didn't finish making my Settler until turn 61.
Going to stop now and post a picture showing the situation on turn 62. There is a second worker I had taken from a Barb fort. It had belonged to a CS, I decided not to give it back, I needed it. You can see how much of the map I had explored in the mini-map. I'm good there. And As I said that starting location isn't the best, but lets assume that as a given. My Settler is on his way east to settle just east of the Ivory to pickup both the Spices and Crabs. One of my workers is on his way to the plundered tiles, the other starting a farm. I would appreciate any comments on my play up to now. Am I right on the lessons I've learned? I've started on the Oracle and have a policy to pick.
Spoiler :
Reading other reports, I see some really good player also got the GL. How did you do that and not cripple your start?
