[BTS] What is the highest difficulty at which all victory conditions are possible on continent maps?*

[Gl0bal1st]

Civ 4 Fanatics,

What is the highest difficulty at which all victory conditions are possible without resorting to nukes on continent maps?
Everything else standard.

Thread

 

[Macksideshow]

I would have thought Deity but I can't win Deity on any map and I rarely play for other victory conditions other than domination and conquest.

I find it an intriguing question as it implies that some victory conditions at some difficulties will not be possible. I think it's impossible to say that something is impossible in civ IV as the game has not been solved and it's not possible to know what the optimal approach would have been.

I am interested in which victory conditions you see as being the most difficult in the context of your question.

 

[Macksideshow]

And then there's the RNG variance (including the map generation) and the potential, albeit very small chance, of extreme outliers.

I think possible is too strong a word to vote anything other than Deity. If the question was "realistic possibility" then I think there is some avenue for discussion but that would hinge a lot on what people interpreted as realistic and that would be in the context of their skill level.

For me personally, it is Immortal. I am reasonably confident I could win Continents for all difficulties without nukes on Immortal. Some of them would be quite challenging and I would need a great map but I'm sure I could get there eventually. This actually sounds like an interesting challenge for me.

Whenever I try Deity it feels to me like winning any map at any condition even with nukes would be impossible (Ok, I've cheesed a few wins on smaller maps leveraging OP UUs) but then I see write ups all the time where other people can.

I'm not knocking your post though, I find it an intriguing question. Perhaps I am thinking too much like a lawyer, or a computer.

 

[2popbulb]

Hi everyone! I've read comments about civ4 for months here and decided to join in. I'm noble level player and trying to move on prince. I know it's possible to win space,diplo,cultural,dom/conq but time victory on high difficulties? There will always be a civ that builds ship or have 3 legendary cities. Even on noble time victory is pretty difficult to achieve.

 

[Gl0bal1st]

I would have thought Deity but I can't win Deity on any map and I rarely play for other victory conditions other than domination and conquest.

I'm hoping it's deity, as I'd love to be able to say I'm a deity player. It's interesting you play for domination and conquest, I spent a bit of time yesterday searching for threads that might answer my question and I came across this, which states conquest and domination are harder than peaceful victories.

I am interested in which victory conditions you see as being the most difficult in the context of your question.

I was thinking space and culture, but now I'm not so sure, in particular space due to the production and science bonus the AI get. I suppose spies are the way around that.

I know it's possible to win space,diplo,cultural,dom/conq but time victory on high difficulties? There will always be a civ that builds ship or have 3 legendary cities. Even on noble time victory is pretty difficult to achieve.

I think if you were going for a time victory then war would still be an important strategy for levelling the playing field. It's not so hard to get the lead in score by conquering cities.

 

[elitetroops]

I know it's possible to win space,diplo,cultural,dom/conq but time victory on high difficulties? There will always be a civ that builds ship or have 3 legendary cities. Even on noble time victory is pretty difficult to achieve.

Easy time victory on continents map:
-Conquer your own continent, which rarely is enough for domination.
-Go over to the other continent and burn everything in sight.
-Leave only one AI alive with one tundra city, and a few units there to make sure he doesn't expand.
-Play on to 2050AD, while making sure you don't win culture yourself.

 

[Fippy]

(all comments for deity)
Culture victories are not difficult imo, AIs are rarely focused on winning the game.
So usually you have plenty time for your cultural. Diplo skills are important, many AIs cannot declare war at pleased, with such neighbours you can live in peace.

Conquest & Domi are harder on continent type maps, when you need Astro for Galleons along with your other units.
Deity is very often about using opportunity windows for units like Cannons, Cuirs, Cavs, also needing Galleons hurts
Pangaea types are considered easier.

Diplo are easiest, if familiar with mechanics.
Space should be easier than conquest & domi, as you can avoid fighting the strongest AI(s).

 

[Gl0bal1st]

Culture victories are not difficult imo, AIs are rarely focused on winning the game.
So usually you have plenty time for your cultural. Diplo skills are important, many AIs cannot declare war at pleased, with such neighbours you can live in peace.

Conquest & Domi are harder on continent type maps, when you need Astro for Galleons along with your other units.
Deity is very often about using opportunity windows for units like Cannons, Cuirs, Cavs, also needing Galleons hurts
Pangaea types are considered easier.

Diplo are easiest, if familiar with mechanics.
Space should be easier than conquest & domi, as you can avoid fighting the strongest AI(s).

This answered my question, I just needed to do a little research on how to prevent the AI from winning space (solution: spies, and if need be invade their capital).

Thanks.

 

[Pedro78]

I'd say continents maps make conquest/domination tedious, not hard. It's usually pretty easy to conquer your own continent, and after that you have enough production to afford a navy. The only tricky part is war tactics to conquer as fast as possible.