Civilisation clique?

[jerichoharris]

If Civ IV is anything like Civ III then micromanagement, micromanagement, micromanagement, until you reasonably far ahead by which time it becomes wallop, wallop, wallop either because you want to, or because some tossy upstart reckons they can take you on.

[ab]

Jcoh- There's a lot less micromanagement in Civ IV if you want to avoid it. The game is surprisingly different and took some getting used to.

Daley, you're probably on too easy a level. I can't remember the names but I think the third level up is the one where you start on level pegging with the computer AI characters (the lower two levels give you big bonuses and a head start on research and resources). On the lowest levels the opposition are too passive- on any decent level unless you are fortunate enough to be on an island separated from any aggressive or religious civilisations (for the latter eg Isabella's Portugal who will fight anyone to the death who isn't of the same religion as her).

Religion gives you money and happiness (if you found the religion and adopt it as your state religion, every city in the world in which that religion has spread will give you cash - that's what missionaries are for). If an opponent converts to your state religion they will be much less likely to attack you. However, you will find opponents of other religions viewing you less favourably.

The economics stuff is important as you need money to be able to keep researching technologies (as well as paying for culture if you are trying for cultural win) - on any reasonable level of difficulty you will get to a point where it basically shuts down all your research so that the AI suddenly seems to have infantry against your macemen. Build lots of cottages as they will have become towns producing 5 gold each turn by the middle game. Pillage enemy improvements to win money while at war.

Slavery is ace in the early game in that it allows you to sacrifice population in a city to build things more quickly (eg if you really want the Pyramids you can enlist 3-4 of your population as slaves and wa la you have the benefits of the Wonder). An alternative is to "chop" rush. You get production points for chopping down forests, so if you start in a place with lots of forests you can use them to get your first few key builds done quickly.

Trade technologies as much as you can (but if you have a key one the others haven't then hang on to it because once you've traded it with one AI all the others will have taken it off them within a go or two).

I tend to keep the Great People to trigger Golden Ages (faster production and research for 10 turns) but their buildings are useful (Great Artist and Great Prophet) in that they produce massive amounts of culture. Culture is important in that it expands the borders of your empire and increases the chances of foreign cities bordering you deciding to join your empire if your culture is stronger and it reduces the chances of rebellion by cities you capture (eg if I have a spare Great Artist hanging around, once I've captured some enemy cities I go and make them build their great work in one and within a move find that I've control of the whole area rather than just the single city squares).

The Generals are pretty useful but you need to have worked out the promotions for military units to take advantage.

[sideshow]

guides would be pointless lama, learn by your mistakes and play on a harder level.

[brispie]

Listen to bits of what everyone says, but you have to play and play again to learn how to do things. I go up the levels and when I find something isn't working go back down to an easier level to try it out.

CivIV still dominates/ruins my life.

I always try to get religion as early as possible. In fact I try to found them all. I only fight wars if attacked and generally go for the domination or spaceship victory. Try to get as many wonders as possible as they all do something good. Oracle is good for an early jump up the tech tree. Spiral Minaret is also a must as it increases the amount of gold you earn.

I agree with paolo that you should build your cities very strategically early on so that you cut off other civs from land which you can then build on at your own speed. Don't leave it too long though as they will eventually send galleys round to put settlers in behind.

After focussing on religions then focus on military. Even though I'm peacable I always try to make sure that I've got the most upto date units defending my cities. I also produce up to date units and send them off exploring as they are wildcards should war ever happen.

Errrm ,there's loads more stuff, but just keep playing and you'll find your own way.

[sideshow]

you should get the new one bris, corporations balance out the religions.

[fgrfc_dan]

New one? Is there a Civ V now?

[GroveR]

There's more than a whiff of Dungeons and Dragons about this thread...

[turtle]

Get a grip man. Go to the pub for a game of pool or darts or snooker Daley for gawds sake.

[brispie]

Is this the one where you get vassal states?

[CaptainSambuca]

has anyone got any minesweeper tips?

[sideshow]

an expansion thingy.

I'm afraid there's no dragons nor dungeons in it, but I'm sure you'd enjoy it anyway.

[brispie]

With CivV not looking imminent I think I might have to get that expansion pack.

[jerichoharris]

I just bought it.

[brispie]

Are we setting up an online game then?

[ab]

I'll investigate. Post up which if any expansion packs (Warlords, Beyond the Sword) you have or whether you want to play "vanilla" Civ IV.

[sideshow]

beyond the sword.

[turtle]

Warlords, Beyond the Sword

~Arf

[ab]

Right, looks like there are 2 ways to play:
1. Online
2. By email

Online is probably better as it saves sending round loads of save game files etc. You need to set up an account with GameSpy (it is probably already on your PC as it seems to install alongside Civ). When you have done so, post up your GameSpy nickname and I think we can start.

I'm Botzarelli on GameSpy.

Not sure how it works early on when players are unlikely to have discovered everyone (ie might it let you do several early moves in one go rather than wait for everyone to have a turn?).

Alternatively, you could send me your emails via private message on this site and we'll have a go at a play by email game which I expect will finish some time after Easter.

[daleylama]

what happens if you want to play for 8 hours and i only want to play for 2?

Does it suspend the game? Are my little archers going to get nuked by your maid in manhatten missiles?

or is it a game where you start and finish in one hit, therefore everybody has to be online at the same time.

Sod that anyway, i;'m not playing with you lot, you will all decimate me in 5 minutes and leave Rochdaleton with one sheep and a milkmaid just to really piss me off.

[daleylama]

i have laso been trying the Beyond the Sword expansion where you are in outer space with space ships and the like.

It's phucked though as it wont let me comandeer other solar systems, i click on it but it wont let me move my ship onto the sun at the centre.

and i've tried the warlords thing, i conquered Great BRitan the other day but the frogs were well tough and my vikings had to shag like sheep to get enough numbers to take over Paris and Calais coz they had musketmen and I had helmets with horns on.

[ab]

As it is turn based I think it isn't essential to all be on at the same time (ie unless you have passed I imagine it will stop until all players have done the current move).

[brispie]

AB - I'm up for that, but I'm still not online at my new place yet. Due to be connected tomorrow.

[jerichoharris]

I'm guessing the only real reason for having the expansions is that you get the extra Civ's that come with them. Oi Daley, I've not even played Civ IV yet so don't worry about getting decimated first.

[sideshow]

the bts thingumy includes corporations, new wonders and changes the gameplay alot.

[brispie]

Do I need to buy one of the expansion packs then? Can I play as the Celts then?

[sideshow]

yes, yes you do.

[brispie]

That'll have to wait until payday then. Still 2 long weeks away.

[e17hoop]

You are confronted by a gelatinous cube - roll over a 14 to pass with ease.

[ab]

Once everyone who is interested has stuck their hand up we'll work out which version to play. It looks like most people have Beyond the Sword (and I've just bought it but not played it) so it would be good if you got it but I can appreciate that you might not want to splash out what with the new house and the usual B&Q type expenditure needed.

[jerichoharris]

If I can find this sword thingy I'll go buy it a lunchtime.