WOTM 34 First Spoiler - 1 AD

[babybluepants]

WOTM 34 First Spoiler 1AD

How is your game going?

Reading Requirements

Stop! If you are participating in WOTM 34, then you MUST NOT read this thread unless EITHER

• You have reached at least 1 AD in your game, OR
• You have submitted your entry

Posting Restrictions

• Please do not discuss anything that happened after 1 AD,
• Please do not divulge your final result if that happened after 1 AD.
• Please do not discuss the location of resources that may not show up before 1 AD.
• Do not post any savegame file from the game. Discussions and screenshots are fine but not actual games.

How did Mohammed and Anonymous get along?
How's the Egyptian cutie doing?
Have you decided on a VC?

 

[Fluroscent]

700BC Oxford tells the story of how powerful a three city start is (especially such powerful sites). I settled both great people. Not much point in a shrine on this level, since the AI are ages behind in tech already, so they can do as they please while I am racing to space. Not much point in warring, but obviously Egypt had to go to. She was the only AI to found an early religion and was pissed off, not to mention the cultural pressure was annoying.

 

[cas]

Played sloppy. Didn't even both expanding the borders of the peripheral 2 cities. Attacked with chariot stacks at first...then HA. Got smacked down quite a few times, but overall the RNG was kind. 275BC conquest victory.

I know one of the better players will beat that by at least 1000 years.

Settling the GE and GP was very powerful. I was able to use a captured worker from Hatty to skirt along the coast to the west towards our capital...and then use sailing to spread the horses to the peripheral cities. Researched BW later than I should...didn't think bbp would be so kind as to give us both horses and bronze.

AI was ridiculously slow/weak...felt like a noble or lower game. Hatty founded Hindu early, but it took centuries before Budhism was founded. I kept the AI at war quite a bit stealing workers with warriors. None of the AI ever made it to writing by 275BC. One AI made it to IW, but didn't have bronze/iron. Heh. The only wonder the AI built was SHenge...and it was very late.

I like these 3CC games.

Thanks for hosting.

cas

 

[MarleysGh0st]

Most of the pregame discussion favored settling the GP, but I decided to build the shrine, hoping the its income would be greater in the long run. I did settle the GE.

Hatty founded Buddhism and Hinduism, while I was researching the techs to exploit my food resources. After that, most of the religions became mine: Judaism in 1480 BC, Confucianism in 1200 BC. I got carried away with wonder building. I started the Spiral Minaret, then switched to the Oracle, then switched back to the Spiral Minaret for a couple turns to give myself time to complete COL, trying for the CS sling. But I forgot that mathematics was also a prerequisite! So...I took philosophy from the Oracle, which gave me Taoism in 1160 BC. Christianity completed the set in 50 BC.

Cairo built the GLH in 300 BC and Cordoba finished the Parthenon in 225 BC. Cordoba has become my great person farm. Two GPs were settled, but a GA from music is being saved for future culture bombing.

 

[MarleysGh0st]

Played sloppy. Didn't even both expanding the borders of the peripheral 2 cities. Attacked with chariot stacks at first...then HA. Got smacked down quite a few times, but overall the RNG was kind. 275BC conquest victory.

You call a victory in 275 BC sloppy play???

I wonder what you could have done if you had focused more?

 

[cas]

You call a victory in 275 BC sloppy play???

I wonder what you could have done if you had focused more?

If one of the imm/deity warmongers goes for conquest, they will crush my date and you will see how sloppy it was.

The worst thing I did was research BW late. I shouldn't expect everyone to be like Gyathaar I guess... because I was stunned we had both horses and bronze. At this level, either one of those destroys the AI. Combined and utilized early (chariots from the capital and axes from the peripheral 2 cities...then HA later from all 3 cities) that would have lead to victory hundreds of years earlier than my pure chariot/HA rush. Plus popping the borders on the peripheral 2 cities to make them more productive in 2500BC-finish by building SHenge in the capital would have been smart.

cas

 

[zamint3]

My very first WOTM but the setup looked very interesting.

I'm having a lot of fun with my fast conquest, but looking at cas' report I must have played it very sloppy...

My first Warrior tracked along the coast, but got killed by a barb, leaving a few coastal tiles in the fog.

Hatty, Caesar and Cyrus are gone and Mehmed is our vassal.

At 1AD I have 18 Workers (roading), 7 Chariots, 11 HA, 12 Axe, 7 Mace and 5 Cats. (3 cities )

Guilds is due next turn, can't wait to see those camels...

 

[adrianj]

I’m so intrigued by this scenario that I’ve decided to keep resaonably detailed notes.

I moved the warrior, but decided to settle in place I also settled both the prophet and the engineer as I really liked the idea of +5 gold to help cover expenses, +5 production for useful things like workers and everything else, and +3 science also helps a bit. I deemed these benefits to be more valuable than the next best options: the Muslim shrine or rushing something like the Pyramids.

My first builds in Cordoba were 2 workers followed by some warriors. First build in Cairo was a monument, as I wanted the borders to expand out quite quickly to cover the stone. Second build a worker. Baghdad began with a worker, then built a monument. It’s all about science for me this game, as I’m hoping to unite the world under Islam and be voted their ruler under the UN.

Techs went Agriculture->Mining->AH to give the workers something to do. Followed by BW (slavery, monument whipped out in Baghdad)->Writing (Quick Madrassa in capital, with scientists assigned)->Pottery (to cottage the capital)->Masonry (to get started on Mids). I opened borders with everyone so I could start building good relations, and because I wanted to increase chances that Islam would spread to them.

I built Stonehenge in the capital for basically no reason other than the + - I wanted to grow the city, so didn’t wish to build workers; I had enough warriors and didn’t wish to build more for fear of extra maintenance; and had no other useful buildings except barracks or walls. In hindsight, the is probably more of a hindrance to popping GScientists (eg, 1st person was a GProph,settled), and I think I would have been better stopping after 99% complete and cashing fail gold.

Meditation came next, so I could build a monastery and missionaries and start spreading the good word of Muhammad. I next went through Alphabet (1760 BC) and then on through Priesthood->CoL->Maths for Civil Service Slingshot (1200 BC).

Pyramids are complete in Cairo in 900 BC. I sort of zig zag my way through Calendar, Drama, Literature (built GLib), Currency, Philo, Paper and then up to Machinery before remembering Education , which I learn 1 AD.

The diplo situation is that Hatty is Hindu, Cyrus is Buddhist, and all the rest are Muslim. If possible, I’d like to try convert these guys as well with some bribes and missionary spam.

 

[Mitchum]

700BC Oxford tells the story of how powerful a three city start is (especially such powerful sites).

You beat me to Oxford by almost 20 turns... My biggest problem is that I still have not popped a GS for an Academy by 1 AD even though my odds for a GS on the first 4 great people were 25%, 45%, 55%, 65% or something like that. I got 4 Great Prophets instead. They were settled, shrined, settled, settled. I have a good shot at a GS in 3 turns (> 75% odds). I guess all of the wonders I've been building are not helping my GPP gene pool.

 

[adrianj]

You beat me to Oxford by almost 20 turns... My biggest problem is that I still have not popped a GS for an Academy by 1 AD even though my odds for a GS on the first 4 great people were 25%, 45%, 55%, 65% or something like that. I got 4 Great Prophets instead. They were settled, shrined, settled, settled. I have a good shot at a GS in 3 turns (> 75% odds). I guess all of the wonders I've been building is not helping my GPP gene pool.

I had a similar problem with the Academy. I ended up sailing a GS in a galley that was produced in Baghdad.

 

[WelshGandalf]

Shrined & settled my initial GP's. Started with workers in all 3 cities. Went for & got the CS slingshot - I wonder if there is an even more expensive you could get with the oracle in this accelerated start?

Going for a conquest win I think but now I don't know after they guy above got 275BC victory! I was waiting for camel archers! (Still not there yet) Obviously attacked Egypt early on.

I'm up to Philo, music, not-quite-paper etc on tech. I'm 20 turns & 4 techs from camels, which I think I'll go for instead of the usual education/liberalism route. Founded Confu & Taoism, wiped out Hinduism along with the Egyptians.

I've spread Islam to Rome & Greeks to keep them happy. They will be the last ones I attack

Wonders built....
Cordoba : Oracle, Parthenon, Notre Dame in 7 turns
Cairo : Pyramids , Versailles in 11 turns
Baghdad : The Great Library, also an Academy, National Epic to come soon.

-6 gold at 90% science, once Versailles gets done though it'll be 100% science all the way.

 

[Xcalibrator]

The game was going so fast that I looked up and it was 400 BC. I figured "Well, the really good rushers have probably gotten a Dom/Con win by now so I better just go for Space." Thanks for making me feel good about my call, cas!

I'll write up more details if this turns out to be one of the more interesting games but my plan was to found all the religions I could to control the diplo situation, build every (early to mid-game) wonder that doesn't give Artist GPPs (exceptions for Parthenon and Nat'l Epic), and settle all GPs (except for an academy in the capital). I didn't get my first Gt Sci until the ADs but with the Pyramids/Representation and all those settled GPs I'm not unhappy with my teching (although seeing 700 BC Oxford from Fluro, maybe I should be ). Religion-wise I went for Hinduism, then Juda/Confucian/Tao-ism and switched to Pacifism for the GP bonus. I don't remember the exact date but it was extremely late when I noticed that Buddhism hadn't been founded yet so I grabbed that too. I spread Islam pretty effectively so didn't bother to pick up Theology/Christianity (useless tech to me). Mansa got it late but he was firmly Islamic by then and didn't switch, and even if he does he's no threat. No shrine yet since I don't need the money but since Islam has spread so widely now I might use the next Prophet for that.

Pretty much all I have at 1AD are my original fogbusting/exploring warriors and maybe one archer--no hammers wasted on military. If I get worried I can instantly upgrade using the pile of gold I'm accumulating, even running 100% science. I'm thinking I can use the gold to rush-buy Spaceship-production buildings in the lesser cities later on, but I'd need to switch out of Rep for that; maybe I should just continuously upgrade my units to be on the safe side and use slavery if I need rushing. Hatty was a slight worry early on since she adopted Buddhism and was putting some cultural pressure on me, but a few missionaries and a couple wonders fixed that. Cyrus started out Confused but I likewise guided him to the True Faith. I don't expect any wars anywhere this game.

 

[Grifftavian]

Settled both the GEngineer & GProphet in Cordoba for the & bonuses. Initial build in all 3 cities was a Monument, followed by a Worker. Going the peaceful route and aiming for a cultural victory. I've spread the State Religion to 3 AI Civs at 1 AD, and have founded 4 other religions, two each in Baghdad and Cairo.

Off to a pretty good start, building a lot of Wonders, and keeping the gene pools clean so far; Stonehenge, The Oracle, The Spiral Minaret plus the Holy Shrine in Cordoba for GProphet generation; The Great Wall, The Pyramids and The Hanging Gardens in Cairo for GEngineer generation; and The Parthenon & The Sistine Chapel (in progress at 1 AD) in Baghdad for GArtist generation.

 

[Jouzou]

Decided to play this one before trying Vanilla GOTM. I just hit 1AD and I'm doing surprisingly well. I settled the GP and rushed the Oracle with the GE (got Metal Castng out of it). In retrospect, I could have probably used the GE in some other (smarter) way; the AI is lagging at teching and building very badly. I have been hogging wonders, not because I think they'll be particularly useful to me, but just to deny them from the AI.

It's clear that I won't be able to hold a candle to the early conquest victories, but I don't care that much about the final score; if I manage to win somehow, I'll be very happy.

I've been going peacefully so far and I'm planning to do so for at least a few more centuries. I'm #1 in power and I'll try to stay there. Do you think it'll be enough to keep the AIs off my back? Also, I'm starting to be buddy-buddy with Augustus (he's currently the only one who has converted to Islam). Is he likely to backstab?

 

[adrianj]

I've been going peacefully so far and I'm planning to do so for at least a few more centuries. I'm #1 in power and I'll try to stay there. Do you think it'll be enough to keep the AIs off my back? Also, I'm starting to be buddy-buddy with Augustus (he's currently the only one who has converted to Islam). Is he likely to backstab?

Trying to stay #1 in power is probably not the best way to stay at peace. If you're planning conquest or domination, then certainly you'll need units - but if your goal is something peaceful like cultural or spaceship victories then you're better off playing the diplomacy game.

Each AI has a set of number codes from 0 to 100: iNoWarProb - one for each attitude level, ie, Furious, Annoyed, Cautious, Pleased, Friendly. These affect a % likelihood the AI will not declare war, so if for example, the iNoWarProb for Augustus at pleased is 100 (which it is by the way) then there is 100% chance he will NOT declare war on you. (Of course it is more complicated than this, but you can feel pretty safe).

So - if you really want to avoid war, get good relationship with the AI. Instead of investing into military units, build missionaries and spread your religion. Convert the AI to your religion. Gift or sell techs for very cheap. Run their favourite civic (Hatty likes Organised Religion for example). Open Borders. Trade resources.

The best resource I've ever found about this topic is a post written by DanF5771. It is here http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=7190899&postcount=84. The spreadsheet attachment is especially helpful.

 

[Conquistador 63]

I'm short of time this month, so I decided to play this one instead of the GOTM.
Settled Mohammed and saved Anonymous for a very early Pyramids in Cordoba.

Initially I considered going for space, but after having founded Hindu, Confu on my way to Oracle CS, then Judaism to be able to run OR, I decided Culture would be even faster RL-wise. I also founded the other 2 religions.

Hatty founded Buddhism but now she's gone, although she put up a fight in my first attack - had to tech catapults for a decisive victory. Every remaining AI is a muslim brother, thanks to the shrine and/or missionaries.

No G.Artist born in the BC's, just the one from Music. I had 1 GE from the Mids, who rushed Parthenon in Cordoba, 3 GP's (1 built Islamic shrine, the others were settled in Cordoba, along Mohammed), and a GS who bulbed most of Education.

In 1AD we just got Nationalism from Lib and have set culture slider to 100%. We're now running Rep, FS, Caste and Pacifism.

Each city has 4-5 religions (and corresponding cathedrals) of the possible 6 already, and will start to grow pop and run as many artists as possible. Baghdad is finishing NE and will have 100% pure artist GPP. Haven't done the math to choose where to put Hermitage yet. Seems Cordoba will reach legendary well ahead of the others.

Please don't tell jesusin, but I haven't built a single cottage in this game. Maybe it will cost me a lot of turns - let's see.

 

[Htadus]

Please don't tell jesusin, but I haven't built a single cottage in this game. Maybe it will cost me a lot of turns - let's see.

I do not know about jesusin but players going for culture may be glad.

I am heading to space.

Settled the same location as all others.

Started 3 workers and settled the great Peeps.

Tech path was Meditation, Mining, Agriculture, Pottery, Writing and Alphabet (2200 BC).Traded for Bronze Working, Fishing, Hunting and Animal Husbandry.

Cordoba got an Academy on T68 (1280 BC). Next turn we declares war on Hatshepsut. She dared to learn Priesthood and she was annoyed with us any ways. My units parked on hammer tiles, but did not want to kill her off. I do not want any one else to get too big, Hanny particularly.

Learned Priesthood next and traded (not Priesthood) for Masonry, Archery and Polytheism while teching to Civil Service on T73 (1080 BC).

On T80, we learned Paper and Cordoba finishes The Oracle to give us Education in (850 BC). I turn off science untill OU is done and tech Literature (550 BC) next.

On T90(625 BC) Baghdad finishes an Academy and Cordoba finishes The Pyramids.

Traded for Sailing, Iron Working and got Monotheism in (525 BC) from Hatshepsut for peace treaty.

Cordoba finishes a University on T96, Cairo finishes a University on T100 and Cordoba finishes Oxford University T101 (350 BC). Turn on Science. Oh yeah, get Monarchy from a trade too. Oh i forgot, we have stone and marble by now.

Cordoba finishes The Great Library in 125 BC.

Other Techs learned:
Drama (325 BC)
Metal Casting (275 BC)
Machinery (175 BC)
Printing Press (25 BC)

On 0 AD I settle Nabu-rimanni (Great Scientist) in Cordoba

3 turns past 0 AD we learned Gunpowder and Cordoba finished University of Sankore.

I should have gone for culture in this game but I had to try to break my wonder habit but no luck there but the wonders i built were useful wonders. may be not the Colosus and GLH.

 

[Htadus]

You beat me to Oxford by almost 20 turns...

Was this because you did not have Education in time or the build time?

In my case I was not ready to rush, so I set science to 0 and gathered gold. I had about 2000 gold when OU was done and ran 100% from that point on. I am not positive, but I do not think there was much of a loss, if any.

Bad luck on GS's btw. I did not build any wonders that taint the gene pool untill Oracle and/ or I got 3 GS's for Academies.

 

[Mitchum]

I do not know about jesusin but players going for culture may be glad.

I am heading to space.

Excellent. Four of us have been having some discussions in the final spoiler about space and the optimal early tech path. It will be nice to have another game to compare.

Cordoba finishes a University on T96, Cairo finishes a University on T100 and Cordoba finishes Oxford University T101 (350 BC). Turn on Science.

Party on, Garth! An Education slingshot. I re-ran a test game and it was very doable in this game with such a high science rate. I Oracled CS right around 2000 BC, but for some reason I had the CS-sling blinders on and didn't even think to go for more than that.

I think turning off research for 20 turns was a mistake. In my real game, I was able to run 100% with one or two turns of 0% science thrown in due to my shrine and settled Great Prophets. In my second attempt, I learned Currency before the Education sling (idea came from HuginogMunin, our Diplo specialist) and was able to sell enough techs to keep research at 100% from about 2000 BC onwards. My guess is that unless you run Universal Suffrage and rush-buy everything on the planet, you'll end the game with 1000s of excess gold like I did in my first attempt

Was this because you did not have Education in time or the build time?

Actually, my Oxford wasn't too much later than yours. We both got toasted by Fluroscent's 700 BC date. My issue was that I researched several techs after the CS sling before remembering that I needed Education for a fast Oxford. Plus, I had to run max scientists non stop in my capital because I kept getting GPros rather than the much needed GS for an academy. This kept my miners in the libraries instead. Your plan of getting a GS before building the Oracle was smart. BTW, I built SH in the capital too, so I got what I deserved...

Shoot for the stars! I really hope you get a competitive date (as usual) and join our discussion in the final spoiler. Good luck!!

 

[Mitchum]

Tech path was Meditation, Mining, Agriculture, Pottery, Writing and Alphabet (2200 BC).Traded for Bronze Working, Fishing, Hunting and Animal Husbandry.

I just looked at this closer and noticed that you researched Agriculture rather late (didn't we start with Mediation?). Since you traded for AH and got it late too, how did you grow your cities? On unimproved flood plains? On a +1F gems hill mine?