When to up the ante...

[Admiral Rimmer]

Hi.

I've played Civ I in the past, but for some reason completely missed out on Civ II, so here I am just starting to play Civ III, and I have a question.

How long should I play at Chieftain before moving up a level, and is it pointless playing at any level below Regent or Monarch?

I've been reading posts on this forum for a number fo weeks now, mainly because they're damn interesting, but also for advice and help with the game, and I've noticed that everyone seems to be playing Regent or above.

I've just won two games on Chieftain, so do I just head for Emperor level right away? How many games on each level did you guys play?

Just wondering...


A.J.R.

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

Go up fast, if you want to, but do NOT feels hurt when you get your ass whopped. Then, go back down a step. Try Regent next for a few games, then (if that works) go ahead to Emperor. if you keep losing, step down a level....

btw: on higher levels it is normal to fall way behind - don't give up, you can catch up rather suddenly around the times of the Middle Ages wars (the AI always starts them and gets slowed down)

 

[Pillager]

I played a few at Warlord, then went to Regent. I played I think three at Regent and I now play on Monarch. As Killer said, on the higher levels you can fall way, way behind in the first one or two ages but still win the game.

I would suggest having a go at Regent, merely because it is the 'fairest' level - i.e. neither the AI nor human has too many in built advantages. If after one game it's too easy, then move up. If it's too difficult, then stick at it, but don't worry about losing at Regent. I would keep at it, as opposed to dropping down to Warlord, and you will get there sooner or later...

 

[sealman]

I moved up levels when the games started to lose some of its challenge.

 

[Admiral Rimmer]

Thanks for that. I'll have a go at Regent for a bit.

Cheers.

A.J.R.

 

[dsirirueng]

I used to always feel like giving up on the higher levels when I fell behind in tech, or couldn't build the wonders I wanted (or sometimes none at all) in the early to middle game. I think the key to this game is "don't give up!" You can claw your way back into the game even when the AI's got the advantage, and it's more fun besides.

 

[cracker]

I would definately not play at levels below regent because to cost bonuses/penalties make the AI players too handicapped to provide balanced opposition.

For instance, on Cheiftain a Settler costs you 30 shields and the early equivalent of 40 grain bundles. The same unit cost the your enemies 60 shields and 80 grain bundles on chieftain. The same bonus factors apply to Great Wonders and techs so loosing on Warlord and Chieftain just means that no one has told you where the gas peddle is yet.

On Regent, these costs are equalized are their are no extra military units or free support bonuses for the AIs.

Except for some extreme examples of unusual strategies, the game is won by the player that founds the 10 thru 12 cities first.

You might just focus in on these opening game play elements untill you can make sure you are in place on the score and power graphs. Then you can pretty much choose how you play the game. Different combinations of terrain + civ traits + strategy + map configuration will make for different challenges in the early game. You will need to do different things to succeed under these different conditions.

I emphasize the opeing so much, because anyone can win the game when you have more cavalry or more modern armor than your opponents. Sometimes having lots of these assets may mean that the player is just winning in spite of the decisions that have been made instead of because of the decisions.

Good luck,

 

[sabo]

Originally posted by Admiral Rimmer
Thanks for that. I'll have a go at Regent for a bit.

Cheers.

A.J.R.

I usually always play on Regent, I've learned from this board that regent level is where neither the human or the AI gets much of an advatage, I know the AI does not get smarter at higher levels, it just cheats more and I can't bring myself to believe that that's even a challenge when you play something or someone who cheats

 

[tmarcl]

Originally posted by sabo10


I usually always play on Regent, I've learned from this board that regent level is where neither the human or the AI gets much of an advatage, I know the AI does not get smarter at higher levels, it just cheats more and I can't bring myself to believe that that's even a challenge when you play something or someone who cheats

To be honest, the AI always 'cheats', it's just that it cheats less at lower levels.

For example, awhile ago it was brought up that the AI always knows which is your weakest city-always, even in wartime. Someone said that they had an island where they kept moving units between cities, and the AI ship that was going to land troops kept going back and forth between them.

I know, you can Investigate Cities with an Embassy, but this was in wartime (the embassy is closed), and even if it weren't, it would be rather expensive to check every single city every single turn.

Marc

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

tmarcl: i posted a game prooving the AI knew aboput every individual unit, not jsut weak and strong spots. They turned a Galley around as soon as I moved a unit so far from an empty city that it was no longer capable to rech the town in one turn. No chance for espionage, they were broke.....

but I guess this is the best Ai you'll get for less than $15, and mor of the gamnes cost can't have gone to the AI, after all the huge thing is creating the units, animations and so on...

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

I'd advise you move up as killer mentioned earlier in this thread. Just play a few and when you are getting the hang of it then move up. IMO, NO ONE should ever play chieftain, start at warlord and you'll be thankful you did.

 

[Admiral Rimmer]

Cheers Gonzo.

I suppose its just a cheap ego massage playing on Chieftain.

Especially when you've got 10k gold in the bank, and your tanks are converging on their archers and spearmen.

Still, it can be fun for a while...

 

[tmarcl]

Originally posted by Lt. 'Killer' M.

but I guess this is the best Ai you'll get for less than $15, and mor of the gamnes cost can't have gone to the AI, after all the huge thing is creating the units, animations and so on... [/B]

You're probably right. I don't know much about programming AI's, but I imagine that it takes work getting them to simultaneously 'know' and 'not know' something at the same time. For instance, the computer must be able to keep track of where your units are at all times, but your opponent (who is played by the same computer) isn't supposed to.

It's kind of like trying to convince yourself that grass is pink.

Marc

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

Originally posted by Admiral Rimmer
Cheers Gonzo.

I suppose its just a cheap ego massage playing on Chieftain.

Especially when you've got 10k gold in the bank, and your tanks are converging on their archers and spearmen.

Still, it can be fun for a while...

love to do that on Regent.. tanks against Musketmaen it often is

 

[robehans]

Do what you want, just those AI's