What level should I be playing at?

[LabMonster]

(noble - standard)

Its 1750 - I already have ICBM tecnology, submarines and machine guns

My score is 3:2 (3000:2000) over the second best AI. There is 7 players in the game, but I got rid of the Americans. The score gap is growing.

I'm playing continents.

Is this as smart as the computer get? I would hate to feel cheated by the AI on difficulty levels if there skill level is still the same.

 

[RogueNine]

On higher difficulties the AI is more agressive, and would likely have tried to stop you from getting so far out ahead. Its not just the small research/production bonus the AI gets, its their willingness to fight you too.

 

[Atrius]

Yes, I have noticed when trying out higher difficutlies that they spare no thought to declaring war with you in certain circumstances, especially if their leader's trait is Aggressive.

For example, I was on Noble just earlier and a refused to give a tech to one of the AIs (can't remember, I believe it was Germany/Frederick). At the time he asked for it, he was Pleased with me (I am not aggressive, I usually make peace and allow open borders). When I refused, he went to Annoyed state and declared war on me in the same Diplomacy Screen.

Out came the Swordsman, and it was on!

 

[Byrath]

A 3:2 score lead on Noble is not extremely dominating. I won my final noble game by a ratio of a bit more than 2:1 (before the bonus points for victory)... and I am finding Prince level to be a pretty good challenge. Thus, my recommendation would be to try Prince.

 

[Shillen]

I find most wars start either because you have poor relations with them or you have a single city that is fighting a cultural battle with one of their cities for control of tiles. Therefore if you want to avoid war do not build any cities that will compete for tiles with the AI cities. Preferably build 5+ tiles away from any of their cities.

 

[Dragonlor]

Deity all the way! Once you can at least survive until the end then you already know you can beat all other difficulties which means you don't have to play through them all.

 

[Gargoyle]

Deity all the way! Once you can at least survive until the end then you already know you can beat all other difficulties which means you don't have to play through them all.

Okay, so you only play on Deity, just to survive, and don't play other levels, and you never win?

 

[suspendinlight]

If you want to keep playing on Noble, add more than 7 other civs. I'm finding Prince with 13 civs to be pretty challenging, although I am finally winning on my 3rd try.

 

[tigerden27]

Hey, play the level that gives you the most enjoyment. Some people enjoy an easy game like you are talking about. Some people enjoy a closely contested game. Some people only play at the harder difficulty as a matter of enjoyment because the struggle is more fun than winning. I can go on and on...

It sounds like you want more of a challenge, so I'd suggest bumping the level up until you no longer enjoy the games. It's a good way to figure out what you like.

I did this with Civ3. I'd gotten used to playing at Regent and really enjoyed it, until one day I got bored. Then I bumped it up to Monarch and the play didn't feel different. So I bumped it up a level again to Emperor and had a good time trying to beat the computer. After a few (10-20) games I started loosing badly and realized I wasn't paying attention as much as I used to. So I downshifted in Monarch and really enjoyed the game again. The wins were easier, but not guaranteed. So for about a year (maybe more) I played by moving between Regent and Emperor depending on my mood.

So I guess my reply is there isn't any "right" level to play at.

 

[spiceant]

i would suggest monarch for a challenge, if you become dominating in several of those games go up to emperor and so on

 

[tigerden27]

If you want to keep playing on Noble, add more than 7 other civs. I'm finding Prince with 13 civs to be pretty challenging, although I am finally winning on my 3rd try.

Good point! Playing with different parameters can be a blast. Try pangaea (is it still called that in Civ4) or archipelago. I haven't had the time to play with these settings much but the variety within a level can be huge.