Which leader would be best for me?

[Flyguy_1]

Hello, I'm new to Civ4, but am a long time civ player.

The way I like to play is to be isolationist, while building large sprawling cities and not get into military action until late in the game. Given this play style, what leader would you recommend?

cheers

 

[drkodos]

If you have Warlords: Mehmed of the Ottomans. His traits of Expansive & Organized, combined with his Unique building allows him to build massive cities and a large spawling empire.

One of my favorites to go for a nice peaceful Space Race victory with.

If you do not have Warlords, I think Washington is a good choice, or Julius Caesar, who is Expansive//Organized in that version of original Civ.

 

[Thedrin]

The way I like to play is to be isolationist, while building large sprawling cities and not get into military action until late in the game. Given this play style, what leader would you recommend?

From reading this my first thought was the expansive/protective trait combination which would be Mao Zedong in Warlords.

The other traits I'd look at would be financial, creative and philosophical. Spiritual might be good but a lot of the flexibility it provides may not be needed if you are at peace for much of the game

Sorry drkodos, but - good as Mehmed (Warlords) and Julius Caesar (Vanilla) are - I wouldn't use organised. It's a powerful trait but without warfare in the early game you won't get as much use from it as you could.

 

[InvisibleStalke]

If you are truly isolated, protective wouldn't be much use either.

You want:
Financial
Expansive
Philosophical
Industrious

You don't want:
Spiritual
Aggressive
Charismatic
Imperialistic
Protective

Organized and Creative I could go either way on - depends on whether you have a big enough landmass.

For the most fun as an isolationist I would go Financial / Industrious - get the wonders and have an awesome economy at the same time. So Qin in the original game or HC in warlords. HC will get culture quickly from his UB, so you should claim the land quickly too.

 

[drkodos]

Sorry drkodos, but - good as Mehmed (Warlords) and Julius Caesar (Vanilla) are - I wouldn't use organised. It's a powerful trait but without warfare in the early game you won't get as much use from it as you could.

Why is that? If you pump out settlers it is every bit as effective as if you conquer cities. What would be the difference? I don't see it, but no doubt, I can be a myope from time to time.

 

[Thedrin]

InvisibleStalke
If you are truly isolated, protective wouldn't be much use either.

I included protective because he intends late game warmongering and because I took isolated to mean little use of diplomacy. A somewhat higher chance of defensive wars earlier due to probable bad relations with everyone would make the archery bonuses more valuable and offensive wars later would make the gunpowder bonuses more valuable as well. Cheaper walls and castles may be of benefit too - I believe the AI takes account of their presence when deciding whether or not to go to war.

DrKodos
Why is that? If you pump out settlers it is every bit as effective as if you conquer cities. What would be the difference? I don't see it, but no doubt, I can be a myope from time to time.

My judgement may be skewed by always playing on slightly overcrowded maps. As InvisibleStalke said,

InvisibleStalke
Organized and Creative I could go either way on - depends on whether you have a big enough landmass.

 

[Cam_H]

Well, five replies so far, so I gues it's up to me to say "Random."

The best for you is to embrace versitility and flexability. The game will throw at you random resources, rivals, and maps, and the best thing for you (if you want to improve) is to learn to adapt by making the best of any given circumstance.

Or you could play a Roman ...

 

[Tee Kay]

Roosevelt: Industrious, Organised. UU and UB should help with late-game war
Mehmed: Expansive, Organised. Can build large cities because cheap granary, upkeep, hammams.
Huayna Capac: Industrious, Financial
The Chinese leaders: Qin Industrious, Protective, Mao Expansive, Protective, UB should help with culture.
Elizabeth: Philosophical, Financial
Wang Kon: Financial, Protective. Protective allows you to maintain a small but efficient defence while financial helps with the upkeep.
Rameses II: My favourite "builder" leader. He can either go for a military style of play helped by the UU or a cultural path (aided by the UB).