Well, at least the AI in this game gets to `pwn` a Human for a change. [i]HELP![i]

[Socratatus]

Ok just had 3 games on noble on the Epic setting in a Huge world.

I do fine building up like crazy. AI factions go from cautious to pleased and back (since I try not to give away too much). I opened my borders which always worries me, but helps also. I get into the classical period and eventually develope the ability to make swordsmen and axmen but, I never seem to be able to obatin any metal, even when I get my workers hacking at every hill I can find. I know things aren`t good cos I see other Civs wandering about with swordsmen and armoured warriors while I`m still stuck with spears and bows and arrows. I see in the unit menu that I could get swordsmen and other units, but it`s grayed out due to no metal.

So the first faction sees me as weak. I redouble my efforts to find metal. No faction will trade metal with me cos they don`t like me enough.

I get attacked. they slice through my defences like a hot knife through butter. My walls hold `em for a bit, but they just catapult it to pieces and overwhelming my desperate primitive warriors. One by one each city falls until my Capital goes.

So, my question is why can`t I get metal?

 

[yewsef]

Swords man need Iron.
Axe Men, Spear Men need Copper(or was it bronze? I forgot).

You can find Iron and Copper resources on the map once you research the proper technology. You will not find the resources on the map before researching the proper technology.

If your territory doesn't have Copper or Iron then you need to either expand(send a settler) or trade it. Or Culture expand their territories by building +culture buildings(wonders, libraries, temples..etc).

 

[Socratatus]

Hmm, that`s what I thought. Guess i`ve been just unlucky and not searching hard enough.

 

[pfo]

Finding a metal source should be your top priority. You can hold off on this depending on how far your closest neighbor is, but if they are within 20 tiles of you, it behooves you to immediately research bronze working, possibly iron working. You need to scout your territory and find the closest metal source, and at the same time it's wise to quickly scan what you can of the neighbor's territory. If a source of metal lies between you and your neighbor, they will claim it if you wait, and then no matter what strategy you were planning, you will eventually get overrun with axes and swords. If you find they don't have access to metal, they haven't hooked it up yet, or if you estimate that you can declare war, get in their, pillage the mine and secure it, you should do so. If you shut an opponent down without metal it is an easy job to mop them up. The time spent in military will pay back when you raze 2 or 3 of his cities for $, or possibly keep a nice one or two.

 

[Molybdeus]

"There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others." - Niccolo Machiavelli

In the early game, you must prepare yourself for war, and that means first of all getting metals. People will not trade strategic resources with you unless you are a very solid ally . . . and that means giving in to some of their demands for aid. It is better to have one solid ally and one outright enemy than have everyone in the world have a cautious attitude with you.

 

[Socratatus]

Good points all. To Molybdeus`s last point I am beginning to realise that I`m a bit too `selfish` in my games which has made nearly all Factions eventually hate me. then I need help and no one wants to know...

hmmm, realistic, I guess.

I will try and create at least a friend or two. Cheers, chaps.

 

[Swedishguy]

If you're playing on a continents map, take out the other AI players on the island as soon as possible. Try to get copper ASAP.

 

[Noobzor]

Your learning curve and game knowledge will go up as you play more games.
Note that many maps have the option of "balanced" instead of "standard" the first makes sure all the civs start with basic resources such as copper/iron/horses within some 10 tiles from your starting point.

The type of map settings, dificulty level and your own leader/civ settings affects and dictates what you do first, second and third on a list.

If you are having problems from settler to noble, it means that you are wasting a lot of turns, and or you are not taking advantage of your leader strengths, unique buildings/units (Elizabeth's crazy fast research with cottage spamming and Great Person farming) or (Gilgamesh' Vulture rush and Creative trait for fast land grabbing) as a few examples.

Improve your fat cross' tiles properly to control how fast your city grows and how fast it builds units/buildings, whip(slavery) or chop(bronze working) as necessary.

Play your civics along with your leader/civ strengths. Pacifism+Representation will overpower any philosofical leader in to popping a ridiculous ammount of great people and and will give all your specialists a research bonus, so learn to specialize your cities depending on the terrain (Super Science City) (Military Factory City) etc.

You can either light bulb techs with GP, join them to a city, 1 shot build wonders, steal techs from other civs etc, in my opinion a human player is overpowered on anything below Monarch, as the AI cheats shamelessly and right in front of you, (pops archers from turn 1 when archery has not even been invented yet).

Play on Prince, do "balanced" or "inland Sea" duel 1v1 no war and see how you can manage your turns to out tech the one AI, or play the same game on settler and just train phalanxes/vultures or even quechuas to rush win the game in a few turns, the main idea is to increase your game knowledge and find a strategy you like and are best at, then you can play large/Huge maps and roleplay them as a warmonger or diplomatic powerhouse.

remember you always have the advantage, the day they give the AI a choice on game settings,thats the day we are in real trouble haha.

And don't worry about playing on lower dif levels to learn, ive won about 20 games on monarch 1vs1 duel but ive also destroyed my first settler by accident on my first game learning the buttons hehe.

 

[Swedishguy]

Oh, and another thing: If the AI comes at you with overwhelming strenght (which won't happen if you've played your cards right) use siege units. It can really shatter an enemy force.