Which Civilization?

[biggamer132]

Hello, I just registered here a few days ago and think this a great forum, since I also go to another 40,000+ member forum. That's besides the point, though, so I might as well get on with it.

I just got C3C tofay, and with all the new Civs it's hard to pick one that suits my taste. I usually played with the Persians (I only had the original Civ III before) because they could catch up fast in the tech race and could improve the terrain faster than the other civs. However, with all the new civs and new traits, I'm having some trouble picking the one best suited to me. Therefore, I thought you all could help.

I need a Civilization the preferably has Scientific or Industrious traits (I could probably live without one or the other) but which also has a strong UU and is capable of quick territorial and economic expansion. Since there are so many Civs and I don't know much about gameplay with the Civs, I was wondering what Civs would help me out. Can anyone help?

 

[ummmm........]

The best advice is to go with random. I know it's not the answer you were looking for, but it really is the best way to force yourself to learn how the new traits affect everything. Plus it makes things more interesting if you're not playing the same guy all the time. Sorry if that's not helpful.

 

[Amenhotep7]

The Byzantines are Scientific.

 

[player1 fanatic]

Hmm...

Only other Sci/Ind civ are Ottomans.
They have a cool UU, Siphai.
Only problem is that it's a late UU (replaces Cavalry), so if that's not a problem you can go for it.
It has attack of 8 compared to 6 of normal Cavalry.

 

[Khift]

I recommend the Mayans. Agricultural and Industrious as well as an early Unique Unit capable of harvesting a myriad of cheap slaves, they create a perfectly successful expansion phase and their traits stay in use, allowing you to irrigate and settle tracks of desert wasteland and to quickly build a railroad infrastructure.

 

[al_thor]

Welcome to CivFanatics Biggamer132!

What difficulty level do you play at?

Regarding your question about which new civ to play, my answer is much like ummmmmm... - keep an open mind.
But, if you really, really like the Persians, you might want to try the Ottomans. Same traits (Industrious, Scientific), but with a much better Unique Unit, the Sipahi - basically a Cavalry with attack of 8 instead of 6. Devastating, and your Golden Age comes at an awesome time. I will typically try to hold off on the GA until I have at least a little bit of Rail down. Sometimes, you can't hold off, but if you can, and if you have never seen a Golden Age combined with the increased production/commerce of Rail, well, let me tell you - it's incredible.

I really like the Agricultural trait. Very powerful and useful for the Entire game. I love what they did with the Iroquois - changing them to Commercial/Agricultural. Extra cash AND extra food? Very good IMO. Some of my best Emporer & Demigod scores are with the Iroquois.

I never liked the Expansionist trait. However, I'm playing the current GOTM32, which starts you out as the Hitites (Expansionist/Commercial). I have a new-found respect for the Expansionist trait (thanks Ainwood!). The free stuff from popping goody huts can be very powerful, not to mention the increased map knowledge and contacts. While the benefits of the Expansionist trait kind of peak very early and then taper off, the Commercial trait takes effect immediately and actually grows as you grow - the cash influx really takes off.
I guess that I like to try the different trait combo's. About the only one I really have no use for is Militaristic. Cheap barracks and better chance at becomming Elite? Maybe if you are into early wars, this is okay, but, that's not a good idea at Demigod level because of the huge bonus to the AI.
Other advice I might give you is to check out the War Academy articles, in particular the synopsis of the civs written by Ision. He does not have all of the civs done, but I imagine that he will be adding to the list?
Here is a link to his Byzantines article (if I have copied it correctly)
http://www.civfanatics.com/civ3acad_civ_byzantines.shtml

and one on the Celts:
http://www.civfanatics.com/civ3acad_civ_celts.shtml

 

[biggamer132]

Thanks everyone, you;ve been very helpful. Thor, I usually play on Warlord (or I was starting to) but I've moved down to Chieftain to get used to the new features. I've decided to go with the Ottomans. I'll let you all know how it goes

 

[warpstorm]

Go for Mayas, they are a force to be reckoned with.

 

[player1 fanatic]

In case of using Mayans: Avoid early wars.
Javelin Throwers are good for barb hurting (workers!), but terrible as combat unit. Without resrouces they are the only unit with attack of 2 and and they cost 30 shields.

 

[Masquerouge]

I'd say go with the Ottomans. They are Scientific and Industrious, just what you wanted, and got one of the most awesome unit in all the game, the Sipahi (basically, a cav on steroids, oh boy ).
True, they are not as fast at expanding as other civs, but they are really easy to play.
Or try the Babs... Scientific and Religious makes for a lot of cheap buildings, and awesome cultural growth...

 

[Samson]

I would say, if you have only just got coquests, then it would be worth tring one of the new traits. I would second the recomendation of agricultural, very powerful. Seafairing can be fun, but takes the right map to be really worth it.

 

[Global Nexus]

I have to generally agree on the Mayans. They're quite excellent and their UU is generally decent in combat [if a bit expensive for it].

Or you could try Carthage, who are Industrious and Seafaring and have the Numidian Mercenary as a UU [2-3-1, 30 shields]. They are pretty good, though they don't expand early at a viciously fast pace...

 

[~Corsair#01~]

Yeah I love Carthage.
Their UU is a swordsmans archnemesis, with the same specs only reversed. Plus it needs no iron, which saved my life when I played on an Archipelago with no iron on my island. Plus seafaring and industrious are brilliant traits, and if you can build the Great Lighthouse early on, you can run rings round any navy. Plus Seafaring is great for trade, since you can send your fleet out early (and build cheap harbours) which means you can trade contacts and stuff. Industrious means mines are 2 turns (!) quicker, which means I can always build an industrial powerhouse early on.
Plus, Hannibal's coool.

 

[biggamer132]

Well, I'm trying out the Ottomans right now. They're doing alright. I tried the Carthigians before, but it didn't go well. If the Ottoman phase doesn't go well either, then hello Chichten Itza. Anyways, here's what's going on in Turkey; I(I'm not on my own comp right now, and I don't now how to take pics, so meh.)

-I'm playing on Chieftian to get used to the new stuff. Is it just me, or is Chieftain harder now?

-I have about ten cities, and have a fairly large island all to myself, with plenty of luxuries and horses near Istanbul. Only problem? No iron!

-I've discovered two other civs so far: Germans and Aztecs. I'm a bit behind the Aztecs in tech, so I'm putting sciene funding up to 70% so I can get a tech about every 10-11 turns.

-I don't really need it as compared to a strong navy because of my island, but I have an army of about 6 horseman and 3-4 Curraghs, along with two spearmen in every city.

-Once I can transport units overseas (when I have galleys) I'm going to colonize the other continents that have the Aztecs and Germans (They're on opposite sides of either a bay or an ocean).

It won't be long before my entire army is obsolete from a lack of Iron. I'll have to colonize fast. Anyway, thanks for the suggestions everyone.

 

[socralynnek]

I propose the Sumeriens, Sci and Agr are both good traits and the UU is 1.2.1 warrior replacement, so a very cheap defender, you have from the beginning, only downside is, since it replaces warrior, it doesn't upgrade to pikeman.

 

[dstarr_78uk]

I'm liking the dutch at the moment

 

[Vizurok]

Ottomans and Persians...
Pretty good traits, and UUs...
I love both two!

 

[Theoden]

I you absolutely must have one of your favorite traits then ottomans is a good choice. I would recommend you soon play a game with the Dutch though. They have both of the new traits so you can get to know them.

 

[biggamer132]

Well, I'm playing a new game as the Ottomans and doing extremely well for myself. My city improvement is a bit lacking, but there's a reason for that: I'm at war with Portugal and therefore require an enormous army. I must be pumping out at least 4-5 military units every turn, and I'm really starting to outnumber the Portugese, who've already lost half their empire to a combined Ottoman-Iroqious assault. Ottomans are working out great everyone, thanks for the advice!

P.S. I'll have Sipahli soon! Also, I'm going to try a game with the Dutch to see how they do.

 

[tomart109]

I usually played with the Persians (I only had the original Civ III before) because they could catch up fast in the tech race and could improve the terrain faster than the other civs.

I need a Civilization the preferably has Scientific or Industrious traits but which also has a strong UU and is capable of quick territorial and economic expansion.

I've had much the same goals, quick territorial and economic expansion, so let me recommend Agricultural. (Or Seafaring, but on island maps.) As Trip explained in a recent thread, food equals power: once you're growing faster than everyone else, not much can stop you. [That makes the Ag-Ind combo great; that's Maya, with the added fun and lucrative Enslaving UU! All through ancient times, they're turning barbarians into free workers, further improving your infrastructure. Javelins are slow and only attack with 2, but enslaving is just too much fun.]

Other good early UUs with Agricultural are the Iroquoi - a bunch of 3.1.2s are nice to swarm across a neighboring civ, and the Celt - 3.2.2 is even better. Give each one a try, and have fun.