What's so great about Warrior Code?

[stwils]

Whenever I start a game, the first thing I go for is Bronze Working. (Even the little advisor pops up and suggests that.)

But then after I get that, the advisor starts pushing Warrior Code. Why?

I resist and get Alphabet.

Then as soon as I get that, the advisor pops back up and pushes Warrior Code.

Then I go for Pottery. (Especially if I am on an island. I have Map Making in the back of my mind that I want to get to.)

As soon as I get Pottery, I start thinking about Writing. Then Iron Working.

But up pops the advisor again pushing Warrior Code.

What is so compelling about Warrior Code? Do I need Horseback Riding? It seems to stop there.

If I am going for Monarchy I can see why I need Warrior Code. But I usually am not.

Where in the scheme of things do you put Warrior Code?

And why do the advisors push it so much?

stwils

 

[Zouave]

Archers are your only early offensive unit. It someone gets on your improvements and starts pillaging it will be hard indeed to get them out with spearmen or warriors.

The AI is stupid. But besides that, archers can be helpful depending on how threatened you might be.

BTW, do NOT usually listen to the AI - dumb.

 

[Frodo Bolson]

A governor needs advisors because he can't be in all places at all times, but NEVER let them forget who, and who alone, is the Master.

 

[Melanic Sheep]

Warrior code is the next cheapest tech to research. Thats why hes pushing it, quick advancement.

 

[mcdan]

I think you are correct to always start with bronze working - but then go to warrior code - but why are you always on an island ?- perhaps try a bigger scope of land and see how it plays out for you.

 

[JuicyCivNewbie]

Originally posted by Melanic Sheep
Warrior code is the next cheapest tech to research. Thats why hes pushing it, quick advancement.

Yeah, but Ceremonial Burial is the cheapest yet the science advisor always suggests bronze working first (not that I listen to the sci advisor).

By the way, I think the reason it goes bronze->warrior code early on is so you get a good defensive then a mediocre offensive unit, which is important for the AI if it gets into any early wars (or if you try to rush it early on hehe).

 

[col]

To open up the topic a little. What order do folks research at the start of game?

Always Bronze - - > Iron seems to be the preferred route reading through posts.

Usually I go flat out for horsies. I can upgrade them them all the way to military thingies. Each upgrade brings a new wave of conquest. Thses days I seldom build many swordsmen at all - they are obselete too quickly and I resent all the shield that went into their production.

 

[JuicyCivNewbie]

Wheel is pretty much the only certain one, although occasionally I go for iron depending on terrain or map size. After that my tech path varies (eg mapmaking for an island map).

 

[bobgote]

It depends which civ i play as. If my UU needs Iron working, I'll go to that first. So generally to UU first if UU is ancient one. Otherwise Bronze Working -> Pottery --> Ceremonial Burial --> Iron Working -> Writing etc. I usually trade to get warrior code etc.

 

[Koronin]

Early archers are great, especially at Reagent and higher levels of skill.

 

[MuddyOne]

I will generally go for Wheel then head towards Iron Working. To uncover the resources that are needed for a couple of ages.

 

[joycem10]

if you have the iroquois you need warrior code to get your mounted warriors.

i really prefer to use horsemen as opposed to swordsmen in an early war. they can retreat & they have better movement. I only head to iron working if playing the romans or persians.

 

[stwils]

I need to rethink the order in which I research. I have been doing: Bronze Working, Alphabet, Pottery,Iron Working, Writing, Map Making - usually in that order always.

Anybody else do Alphabet early?

stwils

 

[ButSam]

I usually research Alphabet first...I get it cheaper (even if it takes 40 turns usually), and get a ton of money in the process (since I just have to have 1 beaker of science going into it). I don't see the point in doing Warrior Code early if you don't plan on early conquest. If I plan on getting the Great Library, then nothing stands in my way of going DIRECTLY for it, bar none...of course, then I usually start as the Greeks so I just need Writing and Literacy, and I can defend myself immediately, and prebuild Colossus. (Besides, ALL that culture, and eventually it gets doubled...mmmmmmm!) Then you get all those others for free, assuming you have bumped into other civs. This is only when I decide to get GL, which is about half the time I play. Warrior Code always comes for free when I get the GL, since the AI really does love it.

An effective strategy seems to be to pick something to go for that's only a couple deep, and let nothing stand in your way, then exploit it. The GL seems to be best. Of course, you need to make sure you can defend yourself and keep others relatively happy at the same time, but it's worth it. Killing with tanks is so much more fulfilling anyway

Sam

 

[Paalikles]

Earlier, I used to go for warrior code - for the offensive

Nowadays I have been playing 3 games in a row going for pottery first - then do some trading (get warrior code...)

I tend to play lots of games as the Greeks, so I will start going for alphabet first from now on...