[C3C] Using Settlers to Steal Resources

[Jivilov]

In my last game (Emperor level as France on Standard map, randomly picked Continents) the Byzantines had an Iron resource just across the border. Didn't think it possible to take it by settling adjacent to it---IIRC in Vanilla it prompted a Declare War warning---but tried it anyway out of desperation. To my surprise it worked like a charm: the new Town expanded across the border to take the Iron and Theodora did NOT declare war. This was a game-changer as Byzantium belatedly hooked up its Ivory and built the Temple of Zeus in early Middle Ages; fortunately had enough Medieval Infantry on hand to beat down their Ancient Cavalry, take the ToZ City and eventually wipe out the Byzies.

Question is, was this manner of Resource theft legal or just a bug? Thanks for your kind attention.

 

[justanick]

In my last game (Emperor level as France on Standard map, randomly picked Continents) the Byzantines had an Iron resource just across the border. Didn't think it possible to take it by settling adjacent to it---IIRC in Vanilla it prompted a Declare War warning---but tried it anyway out of desperation.

Are you sure about that? Something that causes you to declare war is settling directly on foreign soil.

Question is, was this manner of Resource theft legal or just a bug?

The change of cultural borders is a regular feature.

 

[Jivilov]

Are you sure about that? Something that causes you to declare war is settling directly on foreign soil.

The change of cultural borders is a regular feature.

I didn't settle directly on foreign soil, I settled adjacent to the border on my side and the Town culture immediately spread one hex further to control the Iron.

 

[justanick]

I didn't settle directly on foreign soil

And that is the reason why there was no warning of you declaring war.

 

[Spoonwood]

Question is, was this manner of Resource theft legal or just a bug?

Probably intended. Honestly, many, if not all, of the so-called exploits were intentional (even creating gold from nothing via the trading table and pillaging... which isn't legal in any competition here at civfanatics). Why do I say this?

Well, there's a talk by Soren Johnson, who designed civ III's AI and the trading table, where he says that his ideal was that every player win every game!

You can see about 20:37 here for the exact quote.

Also, it's a single player game. If you don't like any tactic of strategem, just don't use it.

Edit: Also I think such resource stealing would be legal under HoF rules and GOTM/COTM rules also, though I'm less sure about the later.

 

[Spoonwood]

I didn't settle directly on foreign soil, I settled adjacent to the border on my side and the Town culture immediately spread one hex further to control the Iron.

lol... you said hex! The concept of a 'hex' in a civ game wasn't thought of when civ III or any of the expansions got released. That came later with civ 5 I think.

 

[Jivilov]

lol... you said hex! The concept of a 'hex' in a civ game wasn't thought of when civ III or any of the expansions got released. That came later with civ 5 I think.

Oops! Been playing Steel Panthers (Camo Workshop version) off and on for years. Plus previously Avalon Hill, SPI, etc. Old habits die hard. But just for the record I'll rephrase it: "...and the Town culture spread one TILE further to control the Iron." Thanks for pointing out the slip. Cheerio!