4000 - 1080 BC (T1 - T73).
Game two. I played the same opening as in my initial try: Warrior moves 1S, I settle 1E, and I begin to build a Worker. My Warrior moves West (again) in an attempt to explore in a clockwise circle around my capital.
Tech path is, for a second time, Hunting ---> Animal Husbandry ---> TW ---> Masonry.
The first change of note involves my Warrior, who manages to snipe a second Scout in 3320 BC, or T17, and reach Woodsman II:
This leads to a free Worker, ten turns later:
This was mostly a question of dumb luck. In my
first game, it seemed like an age had passed before I secured a Woodsman II Warrior: 2280 BC, T43. In my second, I ran into two Scouts at an early date, which doubled my early exploration efforts. Attacking a Scout grants 2XP, so two Scout attacks, coupled with an animal fight, gets you that second promotion.
In 2260 BC, T42, I build Stonehenge:
Here was my thinking.
Game one: I might miss Stonehenge and, honestly, I'd rather have a GSpy as my first Great Person. The actual benefit offered by Stonehenge is very small. I'd like to get the Great Wall ASAP, before an AI builds it or barbarians begin to enter my borders.
Game two: actually, Stonehenge is pretty cheap. A Monument costs 30
. Stonehenge, with Stone, costs 60
. For the cost of TWO Monuments, I can have free Monuments everywhere right up until Astronomy. Moreover, my capital is a good production spot NOW (Quarried Stone, Gold, Grassland Horse), whereas newly settled cities take a while to get going. Several new cities will make Walls their first build, which slows down border pops. Finally, a GProphet wouldn't be such a bad thing. If I don't build the Oracle, I can use a GProphet to bulb Theology. If I found a religion, I can build a Shrine. If I build the Mids, I can settle the Prophet for additional research and production. And, above all, the wonder doubles my early GPPs for a mere 60
.
The Great Wall followed. In 1960 BC, T51, I found my second city on a more Northerly site than in the original attempt:
Poor Qin gets choked more efficiently now, since I have earlier access to a 2-movement Warrior:
For city #3, I follow
Grashopa's advice, and claim the Gold/Wet Corn spot in the West, with the aim of backfilling:
In 1200BC, the first GPerson turns out to be a Spy:
Three turns later, I complete the Mids:
I currently have one Woodman I Warrior in Bismark's territory, and one Woodsman II Warrior in Qin's land. I sent an Archer to try and choke Alex:
But unfortunately Alex has a high attack courage (he attacks at low odds). Chariot #1 died (~10% odds), Chariot #2 lived (~43% odds). Still, it weakens his first stack I suppose.
I want to build a Library in the capital ASAP (Rep. Spy brings in +6
per turn). More cities need to be settled: blocking cities to the north, productive cities in the West. I think I'll skip the Oracle this time around. The Hanging Gardens might be worth a build if it's still available when I have six cities, but it's not a pressing concern.
I'll have access to a Great General with 16 more GG points. He will be settled, and I'll build one or two Guerilla II Archers to further choke Qin and Bismark.
An Elepult attack might also be on the cards. I want to take the fight to the AI.
Too many things to do at once.
I surely would have gotten at least one or two GProphets later on.
and:
