Warmongerer Science Victory

[Resident Mario]

Is this considered a legitimate strategy? Building up infrastructure at captured cities instead of puppeting them; building up an army slowly instead of all at once; and concentrating on science buildings and supporting infrastructure. I find that I tend to do this on Noble and King level. Or is it more the product of a low difficulty level? I generally play on King, btw.

 

[DaveMcW]

building up an army slowly instead of all at once... concentrating on science buildings and supporting infrastructure...

You're getting the right idea. Less warmongering = faster science victory.

To be completely cured of warmongering, try spamming Research Agreements.

 

[MadDjinn]

Sure, why wouldn't taking all of the AI's cities and then choosing a VC you want be considered legitimate?

It wouldn't be the fastest win style, but I'm sure you'll have fun if you like the fighting part.

 

[Resident Mario]

I've played Diplomatically, Scientifically, and Culturally before, but I can never seem to nail a Domination victory

 

[slobberinbear]

Domination is loads of fun. Because of happiness issues, it is usually easier to do with a relatively small homeland and surgical strikes to take out enemy capitals. Hope that helps.

That said, there is nothing wrong with a conquer-then-spaceship plan. Many science games have wars in them; your puppets and conquests add valuable research and culture.

 

[Deau]

Up to emperor diff, I really enjoy using random map (or fractal) and then doing an early rush to puppet my whole continent and then switching VC goal from there, regardless of civ. Science and diplo both fit pretty well with so much warfare funds. Culture is a little bit harder to catch unless you have blown a meritocracy stonehenge at the beginning, went for a one-city rush and maybe also play a civ like Shongai or france so that your puppets' culture contribution can cover, on the long run, the lost culture from going military in early game.