Urgent! I am in trouble. Russia can't lose though, right?

[Sequiture]

Well, I just started playing Civ5 awhile ago. I started a game with:

Country: Russia (Catherine)
Map: Huge Earth
12 countries, 20 city-states
3rd game speed (right before marathon)
Difficulty level: 4 (is that king?)

And, I started in the USA, where Maine would be. So, everything was going fine. I saw Arabia (plus a few other city states) were the only things in North America. I took Arabia and left them one city. Then I scouted South America. Only USA and Persia. USA is super weak, Persia's military is a little weaker than mine. I will attack and take over both soon. (Persia is like 230 score, I'm slightly above that). Then I sent a ship over to Europe. Germany is also super weak, and Ottomans have an empire similar to mine in size, and a similar score. However, then I met ROME! Augustas' score is like 440!!! His military could easily crush any AI's or mine. I signed a defense pact with him. I was going for a domination victory, like I had done on difficulty 2. I think I am the closest to a space victory, but that would feel to cheep. I want to crush everyone with my military. Now, I have like 2,200 gold so I will buy more units, produce more, and take USA and Persia. How do I defeat Rome though? It seems impossible since he probably started in Asia with weak neighbors.

Can I still win via domination? I will build the most impressive Navy for sure, and use it to destroy anything near the coast, then send in a melter unit. I know this isnt what Russia wa made for, but GO NAVY

(Any tips at all would be greatly appreciated regardless)

Also, my unhappiness is +5 but never more, I have 3 cities and a few puppets.

 

[khdou]

Go for domination! Since you have a navy running, I would recommend building a few carriers and then stationing bombers on them. Once you have a sizeable amount, go and sack Rome. Score doesn't really mean anything, the only important factors are tech and military. While his military may be large, with smart planning you can take it out easily. Try slowly working your way through his cities and just play safe and you should have an easy time.

Also nukes are fun

 

[Sequiture]

Thanks! I will one day be an officer in the Navy, so Navy all the way haha. I set the technology path to go to aircraft carrier, but it will take a long time. I will have the most powerful Navy though. I won't get to use bombers because of how long it will take to get the carriers, right? Also, same for nukes because I set my path to aircraft carriers...

Also, how can I make it so it takes less turns to complete a tech?

 

[khdou]

Also, how can I make it so it takes less turns to complete a tech?

The quick answer is: Great scientist/ Research agreement/ Spy Steal technology. Those will instantly grant you a tech .

The long answer is: your main source of science is through your libraries and other science-related buildings (public schools, universities, research labs). One thing to note is that your science output is based on the population of your cities. Grow your cities out. You mentioned you had 3 right? If you can grow them out to over 10+ pop, you'll be netting a nice amount of science. That will dramatically reduce your research times in the long run. Also "National College" wonder is extremely good, it gives you a 50% boost in science in the city you build it in. So good that most people usually rush it as their first major wonder. If you can get that out, increase the pop of your cities, sign research agreements with the AI(you have enough gold, but it seems like you've been warring with other AIs so they might not accept friendship), and assign specialists to science, you will be in good shape

And you will also have enough time research carriers, nukes, and much more

 

[Sequiture]

One is above 10 the other is close. I will finish a warship and start working on science, or maybe science first.

 

[Homusubi]

Rome seems to have a habit of having large scores...

 

[Sequiture]

Ghandi is at like 600, a civ or two at 570. I'm at 230. Can I still win? I am good at fighting wars, but score is intimidating.

 

[Sid Simelia]

Keep building on science to make sure you aren't out-teched. This is probably the most important thing. Increase your own score by picking on the weak. You can hit F9 in the game to bring up the demographics screen. Look who has the least amount of technology and consider declaring war on them. Adding their empire to your own will increase your score and also help you tech faster.
Make sure your citizens are happy through luxuries, buildings, and policies. This will allow you to grow your empire and take on more population. If your military technology is competitive you should be able to crush your opposition.
Good luck

 

[Sequiture]

Thanks for the help do far. Also, should I annex or puppet? All the cities that I have captured I puppet. I think I will annex capitals once I get them, but I was going to go for Oxford

 

[Sid Simelia]

Thanks for the help do far. Also, should I annex or puppet? All the cities that I have captured I puppet. I think I will annex capitals once I get them, but I was going to go for Oxford

If you annex it will take you longer to acquire social policies. It will also create more unhappiness than if you were to leave them as puppets.. After you annex you can build a courthouse to remove the symbol and they will be as happy as they were when they were a puppet. After that you can build coliseums, theaters, or stadiums to improve the happiness if you need to.

 

[Sequiture]

Ok, puppets then. Also, do I completely destroy civs or leave them one city? I left Arabia one city, but should I not have?

 

[jbevermore]

Ok, puppets then. Also, do I completely destroy civs or leave them one city? I left Arabia one city, but should I not have?

It really depends. If you're playing as a total dictator then go ahead and wipe them out. But you get a TON of negative rep with other civs for doing this.

So the question is whether or not you care about what the AI thinks of you.

 

[Sequiture]

Well, I don't want to go to war with them on their terms. What are the pros/cons of completely wiping them out vs. not? Ghandi is almost at 700 and I'm at 245. Rome or India has the largest military. Im 4th in Soldiers, but 1st in approval, and I'm like 4th across the board.

 

[Sid Simelia]

Well, I don't want to go to war with them on their terms. What are the pros/cons of completely wiping them out vs. not? Ghandi is almost at 700 and I'm at 245. Rome or India has the largest military. Im 4th in Soldiers, but 1st in approval, and I'm like 4th across the board.

That depends. Do they have stuff you want? You can always mouse over there territory and see.. If you leave them and they stick around they may be cool with you later in the game so you can sign research agreements and such.
Will they give you lots of gold and/or cities for peace? That could save you a lot of time and resources.. If you let them live they will hate you most of the time though, so expect a denouncement and possibly some insults hurled your way.

 

[Sequiture]

I think I will wipe them out, so other countries tremble when they hear my name. Haha.