zagnut
Monarch
The CivFanatics website contains a wealth of information. Years ago I wrote a similar post which was oriented toward Civ 3. This post will just be about where to find good advice with regard to Civ 4. It is my effort to make the game a little more accessible to all players. When I first found the site I had no idea of its depth and breadth. Here are some tips to make your navigation of the site more immediately productive and to point you to some areas that will definitely increase your enjoyment of the game:
1. Strategy Tips: Everyone wants to know how to play the game better. The best place to find out is in the War Academy. This is a collection of articles written by some of the best players. The articles are posted in various categories. Some of them may apply only to the original game, while others are intended for the Warlords Add-on. Make sure you check the correct category for the game you have. As time goes on some of the articles may be a little out of date, but most have universal application. Go to the Main Page and in the left sidebar click on War Academy or go here
These articles will give you the advice you need to become a much better player.
2. Patches: Get the latest patches to the game you are playing. It makes the game much more enjoyable. The latest patches can be found in the Patches area in the left sidebar or go there directly by clicking here
3. Abbreviations: One thing that will drive you crazy are all of the abbreviations that are used by people in their posts. To find out what they mean go here
Then if you want to know how to use a particular tactic, you can use the Google Search in the upper right hand corner of each page to find articles related to it.
4. Forums: The interaction between the users of this site takes place in the Forums. Obviously if you are reading this you found them. However, to post a comment you must be registered. To register go to the top of the home page and click on the Register button. After you are registered you can click on User CP (User Control Panel) to choose an avatar (the picture or symbol below each members name) and provide other information about yourself. You may also subscribe to various Forums or Threads in which you are interested by going to Forum Tools" at the top right hand corner of the first post in any thread.
5. Improved Graphics: Everyone thinks they can do it better than the other person. Well, in this game that is true. A lot of people have developed customized modifications (mods) that improve many aspects of the game. The most popular can be found collected in the CivFanatics File Database which can be found in the Creation and Customization Forum or just go here
This forum collects the best downloads in one place. There is a box on the left hand side of the page which lists the most popular downloads. Make sure you read the Announcement. It gives you much advice, including how to download the files and how to upload your own files to the website. I particularly like the Blue Marble mod that improves terrain graphics and vegetation. Find it under Graphics Modpacks and then Terrain Graphics.
Dont be afraid to install the downloads. They come with their own installation instructions. Most wont change the play of the game and those that do always give you plenty of notice about any changes they do make so that you can elect whether you want to use them. Note that for certain of the competition games that take place on the website, only certain mods are permitted.
6. Beware of the Easy Solution: By now you undoubtedly know that this is a complicated game. Because of that there is no one way to play each situation. Therefore, beware of Forum posts that tell you This is the way to do it. Be especially sensitive to the difference in advice that is needed to play on the harder levels as opposed to the easy levels. There is a tremendous difference in strategy between playing Deity and Chieftain. Most posters forget to tell you what level they are playing on and therefore their strategy may not be appropriate for your level. Read critically.
7. Reference Charts: Many players have found the Civilopedia hard to navigate and the Manual less than ideal for locating the answer to questions. As a result, various reference charts have been developed. These help with such things as unit promotions, terrain yields and keyboard shortcut keys. They can be found in the Reference section in the left sidebar, Main Page or here
They can also be found in the CivFanantics File Database discussed above.
8. Difficulty Levels: If you are wondering just how the game makes it harder to play on upper levels, go here
9. Frequently Asked Questions: Even if you havent thought of them yet, they have already been answered! There are currently 3 basic places to go. However, since the answers are chronological you must realize that older ones only apply to the original game and may not have been updated. One place to go is the Info Center in the left sidebar on the Main Page, which can be reached here
Another is in the Quick Answers thread in the General Discussion Forum which can be reached here
The third is also in the Condensed Tips thread in the Strategy Forum and can be reached here
10. CivFanatics Games: Part of the fun of this site is participating in the various contests or cooperative games. Don't be afraid to join in. Even though some of the best players participate, most of the players are only average. For a long time I read the posts for the Game of the Month (GOTM) and even played the games, but I didn't submit because I never got close to the best scores. But then I realized it is not about score, but about participation. I started submitting games, enjoyed the interaction immensely and eventually ended up on the GOTM Staff, although I am now retired. So put aside your concerns and join in. No one knows who you are anyway.
All of the games have instructions on how to play on the first page. Most of the games have their own thread on the main Forum page, but some of them are buried within threads. Therefore, I have provided these links to make it easy to find the various games:
a. Succession Games are played by a group of people. While playing each person keeps a timeline of the most important events that occur during his turns. When finished, he passes on a saved game to the next player and posts his timeline of the actions he took in the game's thread so that other players are informed of what happened. It generally works like this. One player (the moderator) opens a thread and posts the first timeline log and the first game file. Then other players sign on to the game (until the limit set by the game moderator), and the succession play begins. Each player plays a fixed number of turns (usually 20). The moderator may also add extra rules.
b. Game of the Month is a friendly single-player competition. A starting save file is posted, and players download and play it. Everyone starts with the same game and has a month to finish it. They can post write-ups describing how their games progressed, the strategies they used and what they learned. This is a great way for new players to ask questions and learn strategies to improve their games.
c. Succession Game of the Month is a Succession Game, played as a competition between multiple teams. The moderator provides a common starting save and a simple objective. There is a system for uploading and downloading your saves, and recording team progress, as the game passes from player to player in each team.
d. Game of Democracy is a game where a group of people discuss and poll the actions they intend to take in the game. The Designated Player (typically the President) plays about 10 turns, carrying out the actions agreed to by the other players.
e. All Leaders Challenge is a game where a good player by the name of Sisiutil plays a game using suggestions from the posters who decide to participate. He periodically posts the saved game files, screenshots, and status reports as the game progresses. Everyone then has a chance to provide their advice and strategy on how he should proceed in the next round of turns. This is a good way to pick up useful tips and follow along with a game played in a democratic fashion. The current game is game #8.
I hope this is helpful to you. Let me know if there is other information on the site that has been particularly helpful to you and I will consider adding it to this post.
1. Strategy Tips: Everyone wants to know how to play the game better. The best place to find out is in the War Academy. This is a collection of articles written by some of the best players. The articles are posted in various categories. Some of them may apply only to the original game, while others are intended for the Warlords Add-on. Make sure you check the correct category for the game you have. As time goes on some of the articles may be a little out of date, but most have universal application. Go to the Main Page and in the left sidebar click on War Academy or go here
These articles will give you the advice you need to become a much better player.
2. Patches: Get the latest patches to the game you are playing. It makes the game much more enjoyable. The latest patches can be found in the Patches area in the left sidebar or go there directly by clicking here
3. Abbreviations: One thing that will drive you crazy are all of the abbreviations that are used by people in their posts. To find out what they mean go here
Then if you want to know how to use a particular tactic, you can use the Google Search in the upper right hand corner of each page to find articles related to it.
4. Forums: The interaction between the users of this site takes place in the Forums. Obviously if you are reading this you found them. However, to post a comment you must be registered. To register go to the top of the home page and click on the Register button. After you are registered you can click on User CP (User Control Panel) to choose an avatar (the picture or symbol below each members name) and provide other information about yourself. You may also subscribe to various Forums or Threads in which you are interested by going to Forum Tools" at the top right hand corner of the first post in any thread.
5. Improved Graphics: Everyone thinks they can do it better than the other person. Well, in this game that is true. A lot of people have developed customized modifications (mods) that improve many aspects of the game. The most popular can be found collected in the CivFanatics File Database which can be found in the Creation and Customization Forum or just go here
This forum collects the best downloads in one place. There is a box on the left hand side of the page which lists the most popular downloads. Make sure you read the Announcement. It gives you much advice, including how to download the files and how to upload your own files to the website. I particularly like the Blue Marble mod that improves terrain graphics and vegetation. Find it under Graphics Modpacks and then Terrain Graphics.
Dont be afraid to install the downloads. They come with their own installation instructions. Most wont change the play of the game and those that do always give you plenty of notice about any changes they do make so that you can elect whether you want to use them. Note that for certain of the competition games that take place on the website, only certain mods are permitted.
6. Beware of the Easy Solution: By now you undoubtedly know that this is a complicated game. Because of that there is no one way to play each situation. Therefore, beware of Forum posts that tell you This is the way to do it. Be especially sensitive to the difference in advice that is needed to play on the harder levels as opposed to the easy levels. There is a tremendous difference in strategy between playing Deity and Chieftain. Most posters forget to tell you what level they are playing on and therefore their strategy may not be appropriate for your level. Read critically.
7. Reference Charts: Many players have found the Civilopedia hard to navigate and the Manual less than ideal for locating the answer to questions. As a result, various reference charts have been developed. These help with such things as unit promotions, terrain yields and keyboard shortcut keys. They can be found in the Reference section in the left sidebar, Main Page or here
They can also be found in the CivFanantics File Database discussed above.
8. Difficulty Levels: If you are wondering just how the game makes it harder to play on upper levels, go here
9. Frequently Asked Questions: Even if you havent thought of them yet, they have already been answered! There are currently 3 basic places to go. However, since the answers are chronological you must realize that older ones only apply to the original game and may not have been updated. One place to go is the Info Center in the left sidebar on the Main Page, which can be reached here
Another is in the Quick Answers thread in the General Discussion Forum which can be reached here
The third is also in the Condensed Tips thread in the Strategy Forum and can be reached here
10. CivFanatics Games: Part of the fun of this site is participating in the various contests or cooperative games. Don't be afraid to join in. Even though some of the best players participate, most of the players are only average. For a long time I read the posts for the Game of the Month (GOTM) and even played the games, but I didn't submit because I never got close to the best scores. But then I realized it is not about score, but about participation. I started submitting games, enjoyed the interaction immensely and eventually ended up on the GOTM Staff, although I am now retired. So put aside your concerns and join in. No one knows who you are anyway.
All of the games have instructions on how to play on the first page. Most of the games have their own thread on the main Forum page, but some of them are buried within threads. Therefore, I have provided these links to make it easy to find the various games:
a. Succession Games are played by a group of people. While playing each person keeps a timeline of the most important events that occur during his turns. When finished, he passes on a saved game to the next player and posts his timeline of the actions he took in the game's thread so that other players are informed of what happened. It generally works like this. One player (the moderator) opens a thread and posts the first timeline log and the first game file. Then other players sign on to the game (until the limit set by the game moderator), and the succession play begins. Each player plays a fixed number of turns (usually 20). The moderator may also add extra rules.
b. Game of the Month is a friendly single-player competition. A starting save file is posted, and players download and play it. Everyone starts with the same game and has a month to finish it. They can post write-ups describing how their games progressed, the strategies they used and what they learned. This is a great way for new players to ask questions and learn strategies to improve their games.
c. Succession Game of the Month is a Succession Game, played as a competition between multiple teams. The moderator provides a common starting save and a simple objective. There is a system for uploading and downloading your saves, and recording team progress, as the game passes from player to player in each team.
d. Game of Democracy is a game where a group of people discuss and poll the actions they intend to take in the game. The Designated Player (typically the President) plays about 10 turns, carrying out the actions agreed to by the other players.
e. All Leaders Challenge is a game where a good player by the name of Sisiutil plays a game using suggestions from the posters who decide to participate. He periodically posts the saved game files, screenshots, and status reports as the game progresses. Everyone then has a chance to provide their advice and strategy on how he should proceed in the next round of turns. This is a good way to pick up useful tips and follow along with a game played in a democratic fashion. The current game is game #8.
I hope this is helpful to you. Let me know if there is other information on the site that has been particularly helpful to you and I will consider adding it to this post.
