When is it a good time to move up a level?
- Thread starter efg
- Start date
DiamondzAndGunz
Lurking
When the games are easy to win (you can win under just about any conditions), or when they start to get boring, it's time to move up a level. Or, at least, that's what I do, and it's worked for me so far 
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Mercade
the Counsellor
You might want to try some different styles of play on your level before you move up. With a "standard safe" method of play it's easier to win most of the games, but surprise yourself and take a different perspective. Go for a money / Great Library route if you're normally a tech-leader or something like that. Apart from that, it's what Sirp says, just move up and lose some games. You'll learn from it.
JonathanValjean
Porschephile
You have a 1.000 winning percentage on Regent? If you are still having fun on that level, continue. However, if it is becoming boring due to a lack of challenge, it is definitely time to move up to Monarch. The others are right, you will learn a lot! Personally, whenever I start winning most of my games on a given level, I move up. (Right now I am at emperor, and I think I'll be there for a while, as I've only won 1 out of 3 so far.)
cracker
Gil Favor's Sidekick
I think you should begin making the commitment to play the GOTM games and to see if that format of play will carry you to the next higher level.
Playing the GOTMs provides you with the ability to play sequences of events and then compare your results and strategies with other players who may have more experience as well as different perspectives of the game.
You would have to play 50 games on your own to get the same benefits of skill and comaraderie that you can gain from playing one GOTM game.
The next Civ3 GOTM game will be Gotm17-Carthage and it will open for play on March 1st. You will be able to play Carthage in your choice of Civ3v1.29 or PTWv1.14.
Plan your schedule accordingly and take some time to read the results of the Gotm15-Russia Quick Start Challenge as well as other discussions in the Civ3 GOTM forum. This will prepare you to have the games of your life and truly raise your enjoyment of the Civ3 game to a new level.
Playing the GOTMs provides you with the ability to play sequences of events and then compare your results and strategies with other players who may have more experience as well as different perspectives of the game.
You would have to play 50 games on your own to get the same benefits of skill and comaraderie that you can gain from playing one GOTM game.
The next Civ3 GOTM game will be Gotm17-Carthage and it will open for play on March 1st. You will be able to play Carthage in your choice of Civ3v1.29 or PTWv1.14.
Plan your schedule accordingly and take some time to read the results of the Gotm15-Russia Quick Start Challenge as well as other discussions in the Civ3 GOTM forum. This will prepare you to have the games of your life and truly raise your enjoyment of the Civ3 game to a new level.
Phantom Lord
live by the sword
Just try higher levels and see if you enjoy the game.
I'm still flipping between levels (regent and monarch) depending on my mood. Sometimes I want a harder game, sometimes I don't. Higher levels than monarch are not truly interesting for me, because they ask for more specialized playing styles, but I'm sure that's exactly what makes them fun to play for others.
I'm still flipping between levels (regent and monarch) depending on my mood. Sometimes I want a harder game, sometimes I don't. Higher levels than monarch are not truly interesting for me, because they ask for more specialized playing styles, but I'm sure that's exactly what makes them fun to play for others.
Kaiser_Berger
Terran Emporer
I'd say move it on up, one win on a higher level that you haven't won on before is much more fulfilling than 10 wins on a level you know you can beat. Getting your first wins on the upper levels is a great feeling.
There's the luck factore as well. I tend to win on Regent level, but when I start in an icy wasteland devoid of ancient resources it's pretty much game over.
On the other hand, if I can ROP backstab one or two isolated civs, even Emperor difficulty will be playable.
On the other hand, if I can ROP backstab one or two isolated civs, even Emperor difficulty will be playable.
Matt P
Fly my pretties fly
Like some of the others have said, if things are getting a bit boring then move up a level. You could try things like OCC, 5CC, GOTM, the Tournament, different scenarios, play random civs on all random settings to make things interesting. There are always lots of different conditions you can set to a game to make it seem enjoyable but different every time.
I'll put in a schill for the tournament. Being forced to play to a pre-specified victory condition has certainly broadened *my* skill set, anyway. Plus you play at two levels, so you could choose to do regent/monarch (veteran division, I think) and play both at and above your comfort level. Then you get the same bonus as GOTM of comparing your results to others' and hearing some of their strategies with identical starting conditions.
There's only a few days to go on submission for the first game of this series, but you only need to submit 3 of 5 to compete, so you still have time to join if you like.
Renata
There's only a few days to go on submission for the first game of this series, but you only need to submit 3 of 5 to compete, so you still have time to join if you like.
Renata
I'm losing on Warlord. 
I've never been able to figure out Civ games. I've never won a game past the easiest setting despite playing all 3 civ titles to death.
Its always seems that no matter what I do or how I play the game every other Civ overtakes me in research at some point despite trading and goody huts.
I just dont know where I'm going wrong......
I've never been able to figure out Civ games. I've never won a game past the easiest setting despite playing all 3 civ titles to death.Its always seems that no matter what I do or how I play the game every other Civ overtakes me in research at some point despite trading and goody huts.
I just dont know where I'm going wrong......
nihil8r
space . . . madness
build more cities and more spearmen. build temples in all cities so the city boundary grows. build more spearmen and more settlers. fortify. spearmens. woo!
as far as my play style goes, you can never have too many cities in the ancient age, just cities that are too vulnerable.
as far as my play style goes, you can never have too many cities in the ancient age, just cities that are too vulnerable.
Thats exactly what I do. I take every available space I can, build temples or libraries depending on your civ to expand it quickly and dont ever leave even a single square available to anyone. I always post a unit on a free square so no opportunistic civ can colonise it.
But inevitably I get overtaken fast.
It seems however that in order to win you need to destroy at least two civs no matter how peaceful you like playing. Thats what I dont like. War is inevitable and usually for no reason in Civ 3. You can be hunky dory with your neighbours one turn then at war the next for no real reason...
Matt P
Fly my pretties fly
Greyhawk, a good way to improve your game is to look at some of the articles in the War Academy regarding strategies for the early game, researching, trading and generally trying to win. I refer to them and they'd be useful to you in giving you a hand.
Personally, having played up to Monarch level, there's no reason why if you have a good amount of territory why you should be falling so far behind in the game. Research wise, you should be able to keep at least level for the first two ages with a decent empire and then be able to push ahead in the industrial age. Trading techs big time in the ancient ages is a must as you probably don't need to research half of the techs. Get the Great Library if you can which should see you through to the Modern Ages. Make sure you have plenty of workers transforming the land and connecting your empire with roads to get the most out of your cities. Maybe build cities closer together to get more production out of the early game.
There are many different things you can do but it all depends on how you want to win. War doesn't have to happen for you to win, and you don't have to crush 2 or 3 civs early on to be a chance. If you dont have much room to expand, then attacking your neighbour may be the only option for your long term growth and survival. But, if you have plenty of room and don't want to wage wars, then U can be polite to your neighbours and build up your cities and infrastructure.
There are tons of information in these forums to help you out. Good luck
Personally, having played up to Monarch level, there's no reason why if you have a good amount of territory why you should be falling so far behind in the game. Research wise, you should be able to keep at least level for the first two ages with a decent empire and then be able to push ahead in the industrial age. Trading techs big time in the ancient ages is a must as you probably don't need to research half of the techs. Get the Great Library if you can which should see you through to the Modern Ages. Make sure you have plenty of workers transforming the land and connecting your empire with roads to get the most out of your cities. Maybe build cities closer together to get more production out of the early game.
There are many different things you can do but it all depends on how you want to win. War doesn't have to happen for you to win, and you don't have to crush 2 or 3 civs early on to be a chance. If you dont have much room to expand, then attacking your neighbour may be the only option for your long term growth and survival. But, if you have plenty of room and don't want to wage wars, then U can be polite to your neighbours and build up your cities and infrastructure.
There are tons of information in these forums to help you out. Good luck
Karlisna
Level 1 Sultana
I sometimes play on Regent, I just won my first diplomatic victory, and I won even after the entire world just fought one big arse war! Here's how it went, it all started in the way long ago, I started on a long, string-bean island. I shared it with Germany, I didn't like Bismarck's face much so I went ahead and conquered him. Only it was SOO FRUSTRATING! Because everytime I burned his last city, I would always learn that he had founded another! Yaaar! Finally he fell! I managed to settle most of the island, but Carthage and Rome by this time settled some parts where I had neglected, I let them stay. Caesar's kinda cute actually. I liked Carthage stay because I liked their city names. So...Zoom to the Industrial Age, Carthage demanded tribute, I refused, he declared war on me, at that time, my good friend, Spain. Had a Mutual Protection Pact with me, so Isabella was dragged into it too. Carthage got Rome as an ally, so we fought and fought, I got Rusicade, Oea, Cadiz, and Nora and got 'im off the island. Spain conquered some of Rome. Brennus remained neutral, I coudn't get him to join in. So.. Towards the end we all made peace, and I finally built the united nations, since Isabella had been gracious to me for thousands of years, and I showered Brennus with luxuries, resources, and technologies. When the vote came, I WIN! YEEAAAAHHH! *Dances* Sorry it's so big. =(
I was stuck on Monarch level until I found two important resources (no not Iron and Horses): Cracker's Opening Play Site and the Succession Game Forum. I found Sulla's training day game especially useful, but all the games are quite informative. In just a month I was able to transform myself from a Monarch player to a Deity player. Good luck!
Matt P
Fly my pretties fly
That's a great effort Speaker.
I'm only new to Monarch and it'll take me another 6 months to a year if ever to get to Deity.
Greyhawk, for what it's worth, I was stuck on Warlord until I applied two simple strategies:
1) Control all your workers (DO NOT AUTOMATE!), and
2) Pre-build world wonders.
I can't begin to tell you how often these items have been stressed throughout this forum. Especially controlling your workers and improving your city terrain intelligently. My last two Warlord game were so boring, I knew it was time to move up.
In those games I controlled (built) roughly 17 of 20 WW's, and won culture victories both times, something I had never experienced before. It got to the point that I didn't need to pre-build. I had MI's while the other "superpowers" had yet to get riflemen.
So make sure you control all your workers. The extra effort is worth it.
1) Control all your workers (DO NOT AUTOMATE!), and
2) Pre-build world wonders.
I can't begin to tell you how often these items have been stressed throughout this forum. Especially controlling your workers and improving your city terrain intelligently. My last two Warlord game were so boring, I knew it was time to move up.
In those games I controlled (built) roughly 17 of 20 WW's, and won culture victories both times, something I had never experienced before. It got to the point that I didn't need to pre-build. I had MI's while the other "superpowers" had yet to get riflemen.
So make sure you control all your workers. The extra effort is worth it.
