Here is my write-up of the game RBCiv Epic 2. Enjoy!
Eastern Gem Traders - The Beginning
I surveyed the land and smiled at all the gems close at hand. There
were several bonus grass tiles and coast nearby. Not wanting to waste
a bonus grass and also spotting the ocean, I moved the settler north to found
the first city on a hill. The worker started a mine where he stood.
The first tech I started researching was Writing as I wanted to get Map Making.
The worker’s actions seemed to take forever. I must be too used to playing
as industrious civs.
While I waited for Delhi to grow, I started to scout towards the east and
south. My warriors were getting scared since it looked like the land ended
not too far south from the starting point! I sent a second scouting
party to the west. The warriors reported back that the land did end
to the south, although not as close as originally feared.
After the third warrior completed in 3400 BC, Delhi was set to grow to size
3 in 8 turns, with a settler in 8 turns. A Russian scout strays into
the lands of India. His leader was the irksome Catherine, an arrogant
woman who looked down upon the scientific and cultural advances of the Indians.
As a result, I did not deal with the woman despite her obvious desire to
obtain the secrets of Alphabet.
In 3000 BC, I study the crude maps provided by the scouts and tried to decide
where the next great Indian city will be. I also wanted to think about
strategy.
The map is archipelago, so it would be easy to jump from island to island
even with galleys. I could get away with fewer troops. The land
is dry with no rivers anywhere, so granaries will be important. Or
maybe cities would reach their maximum sizes quickly enough that granaries
won't be useful until electricity? The land south was safe for the
moment, so I decided to grow towards Russia. The research towards Map
Making appeared to be a good decision.
I decided the next city should be close to the cow southwest of Delhi.
This location would also snag some of the gems. Scouts reported the
Russians may be located south of a chokepoint in the remote west, among the
cattle plains.
Since it was possible the Russians were the only other civ on this island,
I was not sure how much to trade with them. I did not want to help
a scientific type like Catherine get to libraries faster, but I also did
not want to fall woefully behind. I accepted a previous offer and traded
Alphabet for Bronze Working plus 10G.
In 2750 BC, the town of Bombay was founded. A temple was started immediately
to pull in the bonus grassland that was just out of reach. Northern
scouts find a location with game and dyes, but it is all frozen tundra.
All available warriors are sent south and west in an attempt to slow Russia’s
expansion into what should rightfully be western India. After the discovery
of Writing, I traded Catherine Ceremonial Burial and 10 G for Pottery and
began researching Map Making. It was to take an entire 40 turns even
at the maximum rate. Naturally, I researched as little as possible.
The town of Madras was founded in 1990 BC on a bonus grass tile south of
Delhi, which is undesirable, but grassland would have gone to waste otherwise.
Catherine had discovered iron by this point but I held off on getting it
since there was no immediate need. I continued with a farmer's gambit
(aren't there
any rivers?), founding Bangalore in 1700 BC. It was
located just southeast of the western gold hills. I was starting to
feel too spread out at this point.
With many cities busy on granaries, Madras was set to train warriors to dissuade
Catherine from any funny business. She now had a 3 to 4 tech lead but
still did not have Writing. Although I had some gold, I figured I was
going to have to buy something from Catherine or else just have it extorted
away. I started connecting the Gems with roads to have something to
trade with later, and to help with happiness.
Gambling for the Oracle
The year is 1600 BC, the Granary just completed in Delhi and I am faced with
a tough decision. I want to try for the Oracle. I do not think
I have ever built it before. The Russians are working on the Colussus
at 6 shields per turn, due in 12 turns. Delhi is pulling in 5 shields
per turn, but will grow every 5 turns and could do 12 or 13 shields per turn
when size 6. Should I barter for Mysticism and start the Oracle?
I may be able to get Map Making and use the Great Lighthouse as a backup
if another civ builds the Oracle first. Ordinarily this would not be
a good plan, but I decide to go for it. Writing plus 10 G gets Mysticism
and Warrior Code and Catherine is finally polite. I need to improve
the land near Delhi in a hurry and get some troops in there to motivate the
project (keep the people happy). Delhi switches to the Oracle.
India desperately needs ... everything. I worry Bangalore may be too
tempting to Catherine and pull back some warrior scouts to guard it.
Bombay is still busy with a granary, so Madras must supply workers and/or
troops alone. Catherine has a spearman/settler pair marching north
of Kiev that I could have prevented, had I not been going for an honorable
win, to block them on the chokepoint. I am disappointed by the loss
of the cattle and wheat. I am also juggling around troops a lot to
keep people happy.
In 1325 BC Russia completes the Colussus and starts on the Pyramids.
Delhi is 26 turns from the Oracle at size 4. Bombay soon completes
its Granary and since it will not grow beyond size 4 until Map Making, I
start a worker with maybe a settler to follow. I buy the Wheel from
Catherine for 140 G figuring it was better to get the tech than to just end
up giving her the money later. Fortunately for me, there are horses
within easy reach so I can create horsemen later.
In 1200 BC Catherine has acquired Map Making. That was fast!
I still have 9 turns to go on it and Catherine will not trade for anything.
I continue with the Oracle plan although I am afraid another civ will cascade
off the Pyramids to it. Exciting times. Catherine asks for our
TM plus 14G for her TM. I agree just to placate her and get to see
the Russian homeland for the first time. All things considered, I prefer
India's starting location to Russia's for the short term, although it will
be decent land once all the jungle is chopped down. Now that Catherine
knows about the unsettled land south of Madras, it must be settled immediately.
In 1100 BC Delhi reaches size 6 so I change production to max shields which
gets the Oracle in 12 turns. Map Making is still 5 turns away so there
is no safety net yet. Bangalore has completed its temple (finally)
and I hope beyond hope to flip one of the nearby Russian cities. India's
army is average compared to Russia's, that’s good. Madras and Bombay
are both building settlers for another land grab, while my warriors are doing
their best to interfere with a Russian settler/warrior pair.
In 1000 BC, India discovers the secrets of Map Making! This is wonderful
news since it will allow all these seaside cities to grow and lets India
contact other civs. A galley is immediately started and research begins
on Horseback Riding.
To commemorate the upcoming completion of the Oracle, I order the founding
of Calcutta on the land south of Madras. That same year the first Indian
galley embarks for lands unknown. Finally, in the glorious year of
800 BC, Delhi completes the Oracle. Surely this monument to India's
greatness is the first of many to come.
Egypt completes the Pyramids and Persia the Great Lighthouse. Too bad
they were not prescient enough to build the Oracle! Victory for India
is practically assured… well sort of.
The Age Of Exploration
Although the first galley was a magnificent sea vessel, its first mission
uncovered only a desolate island to the north. Surely it would be settled
some day but right now more pressing concerns exist. Russia has contact
with the Japanese and will not sell it. Indian warriors have kept Russian
settlers moving around constantly, but sooner or later they will get tired
a plant a city right where they are. Priorities now are a military
to protect against Catherine and making contact with other civilizations
so I can stop doing my own research.
Lahore is founded in the tundra north of Bangalore in 630 BC. Unfortunately,
Russia is going to get the dyes to the north. Karachi is founded in
590 BC on the remaining tiles south of Madras and I can see the green Japanese
border just across the sea. Tokugawa is annoyed at our first meeting.
He does not have map making yet, so I trade Map Making for Masonry plus 1G.
This improves Toku to Cautious. After establishing an embassy, I also acquire
Iron Working and much to my delight, Iron is already connected to the capital
via a road from Bombay.
In 490 BC, Russia has met the Chinese. I discover the Babylonians who
also have contact with the Zulu. I trade for contact with the Zulu
and then sell contact with the Russians. Babylon appears to be silk
capital of the world and built in the middle of hundreds of miles of jungle.
Contact with the Japanese is sold to the Zulu for Code of Law, TM, and 2G.
I sign ROP with Babylon for their WM and give Code of Laws to Toku for his
TM. After all this, I have near tech parity and know where the Chinese
are even if Catherine won't sell contact to them.
Another Cultural Push
In the year 190 BC, I stop to ponder strategy. I do not know what kind
of victory I am seeking yet. If I seek a culture victory, I will need
more wonders in Delhi. Maybe I should prebuild for the Hanging Gardens
and pray that someone is researching Monarchy? If that falls through
I still might get the Great Library. There is still land left to settle,
although not very fertile. That would be useful to settle for domination
but could be taken later. My military is underpowered but it would
be hard for anyone but Russia to attack en-masse. Obtaining some of
Russia's land would be useful and would make a decent forbidden palace location.
My plan is to build an attack force and shift it to the western cities while
trying to prebuild a wonder in Delhi.
In 30 BC, I finally meet Mao. He starts off polite and even better
is the fact he has contact with the Persians, which I obtain for contact
with Babylon. I also get his WM while I'm at it. Xerxes is annoyed
with me, but that is probably because his civ is so backwards while India
is so great! A few turns later I pick up Construction and switch to
the Great Wall in Delhi since the Harbor has been nearly done for decades
and I’ve been doing everything I can to prevent its completion. I investigate
Moscow and see Russia is in Anarchy but will be getting 9 shields per turn
(at least) when it gets to Republic. I can complete the Great Wall
in 13 turns. The race is on.
I start connecting as many gems as I can to use for bartering. The
luxuries in this world seem to have all bunched up and I would not be surprised
if these were the only gems in the world. I trade Gems to Shaka for
incense to improve his attitude. Although I do not know it at the time,
this trade deal will last ages. Catherine does me a favor by bringing
irrigation up to where I can use it at Bangalore. Eventually I will
be able to stretch it across most of India. The embassy in Moscow reports
the Great Wall will complete in 8 turns. Rearranging Delhi for max
production, I will also get it in 8 turns.
In 70 AD, the Babylonians declare war on the Zulu. Sixty years later,
the Russians also start the Great Library, obviously trying to out-do the
culturally elite Indians. Mao and Shaka are in the middle ages and
Hammurabi has managed to get Monarchy, which provides a nice alternative
wonder to the Great Wall.
Russia finishes the Great Wall first, so I switch Delhi to the Great Library,
get the Republic and revolt. This actually ends up causing me serious
cash flow problems as I have too many troops. Babylon and Japan do
not help matters by extorting tech out of me. I agree since I really
do not want to go to war right now.
In 320 AD I get Monarchy from Russia for gems. The Zulu complete the
Great Library, so I switch to the Hanging Gardens in Delhi and complete it.
I finally make contact with the Egyptians through Catherine and get Currency
from Xerxes for the Republic. Everyone except me starts building Sun
Tzu. I know every civ in the world now.
The Middle Ages
This time begins a massive building phase. I gamble that I can prevent
a civ from declaring war, and divert nearly all the military budget.
No military units have been trained since a horseman ages ago. Everything
is going into city improvements. In 450 AD Japan declares war on Russia.
I would love to go in against Russia but do not since I am committed to building
at the time. I am trying to get all the cultural improvements I can
into Delhi and really want to get theology for Sistine's.
In 720 AD the Zulu finish off the Babylonians and I am really feeling like
the game is bogging down. As cities complete their cathedrals, I build
horsemen for eventual upgrades. I really want to acquire Chivalry but
no one seems to want to research it for me! Japan and Russia have been
at war forever and I cannot help but think I should get involved. Troops
move over toward the western border and I ask Catherine to leave my land.
She declares war!
Toku signs a ROP to show his support. My war elephant wins a battle
and India enters its Golden Age. I notice Russia does not have any
saltpeter so the timing is excellent, it will be elephants against pikes.
My troops gather near the first target: Sevastopol.
Jaipur falls to the Russians, but then my mini-SOD of swordsmen and war elephants
captures Sevastopol. Delhi starts on Smiths Trading Company.
Then, during the battles north of Sevastopol, I get the first great leader
Chandragupta! He rushes Smith's in Delhi. The war quickly bogs
down after Russia discovers Nationalism and brings out the riflemen though,
so I sign for peace in 1040 AD. Delhi starts Magellan's Voyage.
The Industrial Age
In 1110 AD Shaka trades me Democracy for saltpeter and India revolts.
I sit back for a day or two and look at the game with fresh eyes. The
Indian military is pretty small, on par with Russia but smaller than everyone
else. I really need to spend some time building troops. I’m running
about 10% luxuries and making 211 GPT. India has 9 cities, half of
which are on infrastructure for at least 10 more turns. Delhi is almost
always dedicated to some cultural build, currently at 2594 culture and gaining
33 per turn. I have no idea if this is on track for a cultural win
any time in my lifetime, but hey I'm already over 5,000 years old!
Diplomatically, Catherine is non too happy with me. Shaka and I still
have a gems for incense deal. I noticed in my last game that luxuries
seem to devalue as you grow. Shaka has certainly been growing while
I have not, so hopefully he sees this as a good deal and is not too anxious
to squash me. Hopefully...
Every other civ in the world is mostly polite. This is good since sooner
or later I hope to convince one of the big powers to attack another big power.
Right now my biggest concern is making sure Japan does not finish off Russia.
I have about 12 turns of peace with Russia.
I tried to build Magellan’s, but the Japanese complete it in Osaka, so I
have to buy Music Theory and switch Delhi to JS Bach's.
The discovery of Steam Power gets the game going again in 1200 AD.
The tiny colony of Kohlapur has coal, how lucky! Priority goes to railing
the wonder city Delhi which I am starving to build JS faster. Japan
and Russia have picked up their war again. Jaipur flips back to me
after being taken by the Zulu from the Russians. Even though it is
not a powerhouse city, this is wonderful news. As the rail net expands
I eagerly await Electricity so these dry lands can finally be irrigated.
At least I do not have to worry about Hoover in this game; there are no rivers
in India!
In 1270 China completes JS even though I was only 4 turns away and tons of
shields go to waste. Then in 1295 Russia moves a rifleman onto Indian
territory northwest of Bangalore. I get ready for a possible sneak
attack. With the rail net nearly complete, it is unlikely I will lose
anything if she does. More riflemen appear and I fear the worst.
If Catherine decides to attack, she had better be prepared to lose big time.
Without saltpeter, her best attack unit is the rifleman!
No More Mr. Nice Guy
Alright Cathy, I'm not asking, I'm telling you to withdraw your troops, NOW!
What's that? So you want a war? Bring it on!
Cannons race across India to repel the invaders. A few workers gladly
abandon the decadent Russians for the glory of India. The cowardly
Persians declare war due to an MPP. Japan offers its protection for
a "mere" 24 GPT. I graciously decline the aid and fight off the riflemen
who crossed my borders alone.
Goals for this war: Take Odessa, Kiev and Moscow in that order.
I may try to completely overrun them depending on the level of resistance.
I'd prefer to not drop out of democracy even though I am a religious civ.
I move cannons to bombard a pike guarding the fortress built on the chokepoint
into Russia. Let's use that fortress as a means to cut off any Russian
reinforcements from the south! Cannons fire and take the defender down
to 1 hp and a cav finished him off. Three riflemen fortify. Let
Russia try to save her northern cities now!
In 1330 AD Odessa falls and India controls Copernicus' Observatory.
Despite all the cannons in the area, it was the overwhelming force of Cavalry
that won the day. Catapults and cannons were not too useful during
this game. I set my sights on Kiev next. The long-awaited Electricity
is finally discovered and purchased from China. I also pick up Industrialization
and start Universal Suffrage in Delhi. Patiently I wait for forces
to gather near Kiev and when all is ready, the assault begins.
alt="Attack on Kiev">
Despite the rather dismal aim of our cannons, Kiev is captured with no losses!
I station a lone rifleman in the city as I expect it to flip and move the
troops on to Moscow. As they converge on Moscow, Kiev flips back to
the Russians. Two reserve cavalry stationed in India un-flip it.
Bombardment of Moscow brings all the defenders down to 2 hp.
I lose two cavalry, but take Moscow and Leonardo's Workshop in 1360 AD.
Since it will almost certainly flip back, a regular rifleman guards Moscow
alone.
A group of Russian ships decides to get cute and lands a trio on the fortress
I used to take Kiev. Cavalry show them the folly of this and I get
a Great Leader! I use him to rush Universal Suffrage in Delhi which
seems to help a good bit with the war weariness for a time. I capture
two more Russian cities and Moscow flips; I immediately un-flip it with reserves.
I also choose this time to notice that I have no source of rubber, although
two colony cities have it close by. When this war is over I will deal
with that. By the time Cathy is down to a few cities, the captured
cities are all ready to revolt no matter what I do. I speed things
up, not waiting for backup forces, and in 1410 AD, the rather one-sided war
with Russia ends when Cathy loses her last city. India has doubled
her size and a period of consolidation begins.
Reconstruction
With the former lands of Russia in ruins, the period of reconstruction begins.
The core cities of India build hospitals and factories and workers connect
up the new cities. The lack of rubber is the next major obstacle since
it prevents me from building infantry and tanks and a space race victory
will be impossible without it. I can only hope aluminum will be available.
Two sources of rubber are within easy reach. The first is an unclaimed
patch north of Jaipur. A colony could secure it but sooner or later
the Zulu cities will culture expand. The other source is actually within
the 21 tiles of Kolhapur but is currently claimed by Akkad (owned by the
Zulu as well). Japan has rubber as well but it is far away. Although
we’ve been trading partners forever, Shaka now has a big bullseye painted
on him.
I decide to investigate the two Zulu cities closest to the unclaimed rubber.
Interesting… one is working on an aquaduct, the other a library.
The library is trouble of course, but at one shield per turn, it will be
a while to completion. I think about sacrificing a worker for the rubber,
even if it is short-lived.
I rush-build the cathedral in Jaipur to finish it and start a worker.
A galleon heads toward Delhi to deliver some help. As I make the routine
diplomatic rounds, I find Shaka has extra rubber that he is willing to part
with even for dyes. I accept. The rubber colony plan continues
however. Infantry are ordered up everywhere I can spare.
Japan finally gets Free Artistry and Delhi starts on Shakespeare’s Theater
in 1490 AD. I should get it unless I get an unfavorable cascade from
Theory of Evolution. I am so enamored with this wonder that I build
a forest in the local tundra for that extra couple of shields. It takes
one turn off the wonder. Somewhat to my relief, Shaka finished Theory
and no one except Japan had acquired Free Artistry. A little spying
shows they will finish Shakespeare in 9, Delhi will complete it in 7.
The India Rubber colony of Jaipur Island is officially opened in 1505 AD.
In 1510 AD I acquire Refining from Mao and cross my fingers. Thank
heavens, India has two sources of oil! All the sudden Shaka cancels
the Incense for Gems deal. He wants Free Artistry in addition to Gems
for his incense. Umm no thanks Shaka. How about 1 GPT?
You like that? Good…
And for some reason Shaka does not have
coal. Wonderful!
Soon the Zulu come again wanting an MPP. Shaka will surely get involved
in a war, and I am not prepared to defend against an enemy such as Japan.
I politely decline and continue building infantry as quickly as I can.
Sadly, I lose the Indian Rubber Colony and must continue to barter for rubber.
In 1535 AD China and Japan sign an MPP. Delhi completes Shakespeare
a whole two turns ahead of the Japanese. Most of India is building
Cavalry at this point since I had this delusion they would upgrade to Tanks.
In 1610 AD, with the discovery of Motorized Transportation, I switch over
to tanks. Shaka ups the price of rubber to Dyes, WM, and 440G and I
accept.
The Modern Era
It is the year 1645 AD. Flight has recently been discovered and India
works to build a defensive air force. Other countries are becoming
stingier with their trading, asking more and more each time to renew century
old trade pacts. Suddenly Toku comes along and demands Dyes or he will
destroy India. I refuse and he backs down for now.
The game is looking increasingly like a space race. Lack of aluminum
or uranium might change that, so until I know for sure I continue building
tanks and aircraft. Had Japan declared war, things would become very
interesting! Delhi is building whatever is most expensive at the moment
to hopefully get a head start on the next wonder.
In 1670 AD Zululand declares war on the Japanese. Toku cancels his
Ivory for Gems agreement and is Annoyed. He wants two luxuries to my
one, which I decline. I buy silks from Shaka instead. Maybe Toku
and Shaka will wear each other down, although I think Shaka will get the
worst of it.
Toku does me a huge favor by destroying Akkad, which brings the rubber there
under by cultural boundaries. I am elated until later that turn my
last source of oil dries up. I had another source disappear earlier,
what’s up with that? The closest source is on my island at Macao.
Now If only someone would destroy that city too.
Muttering, I see what oil costs on the market. Cleo will sell me hers
for WM plus 990G. That’s not too bad, I accept. Come to think
of it, Cleo has been a tremendous help in this game throughout. She
proves her worth again in 1695 AD by being the only one giving me a decent
deal on Computers; I start SETI, but later switch to UN when Fission becomes
available. Fortunately, I have two sources of uranium.
Shaka asks for an embargo against Japan but I refuse. One source of
coal is used up at Kohlapur. What terrible luck I am having with resources.
In 1715 AD Egypt extorts WM plus 100 G and I agree just because Cleo has
been so helpful. It’s not like she was any threat to me. Not
sure if I had ever been amused at being bullied by the AI, but this was funny.
In 1754 AD I find that I have one source of aluminum, so the space race is
still on. While I’ve been waiting, my military has grown to average
compared to everyone except China. In 1758, Japan and Zululand sign
a treaty ending their pointless war. Delhi completes the UN shortly
thereafter. I decline a vote although I am fairly sure I would have
won the game.
Aiming for a space race victory, I buy Space Flight from Cleo in 1780 AD
and start Delhi on the Apollo Program. I am about to get Synthetic
Fibers from Mao but first make my routine “Get off my land” request and he
declares war!
Umm… well now I had not planned on a war with the most powerful country in
the world. China has more of everything than I do, my only benefit
really is that they are across the sea and will have to get through my battleships.
At least this will give me an excuse to take Macao and its oil; Cleo is asking
more and more for her oil each 20 turns.
I plan a defensive war since I am not looking to conquer China. Artillery
fires on any Chinese ship close enough to shore and my ships finish them
off. Mao loses most of his ironclads immediately. My tanks kill
an infantry near Macao. Mao’s wounded ships retreat and most of his
counter-attack is via bombers. My fighters shoot two down while the
bombers that get away do minor damage.
Japan will join my crusade for the small cost of Dyes, but I am concerned
about staying at war for the whole 20 turns. Actually everyone in the
world is easily bribed into attacking China. I worry about China buying
everyone off and using them against me. Egypt and Zululand have several
per-turn deals with me so little worries there. Japan almost surely
will attack if properly motivated. I decide to risk it with Japan and
make no bribes.
Mao sends a couple of transports escorted by battleships past Macao, apparently
looking for a weak spot. Macao is defended by only two drafted Mech
Infantry and falls to one tank in one turn. Artillery fires upon the
battleships and transports north of Yakutsk, bringing them to one hp.
I send a message to Mao with only one word, "E4". He writes protesting,
"You sunk my battleships!"
I also buy Synthetic Fibers from Cleo and upgrade all my tanks. Transports
are seen heading out of China towards India. A small force lands near
Macao to recapture the city, but meets a grisly end after being pounded by
artillery and modern armor. A few of my elite cavalry also show up
to join in the fun. Another destroyer is sunk trying to flee from its
transport-guarding duty. Mao does not want to talk peace just yet and
lands more troops, this time lots of mech infantry. I buy Nuclear Power
from Cleo for WM plus 2370G. I buy Miniaturization from Toku for Dyes
plus WM plus 2400G giving him motivation not to backstab me.
This offer turns his attitude to polite.
Jet fighters in Odessa promote to elite as they clear the skies of Chinese
bombers. A few Chinese infantry land near Smolensk but are easily repelled.
I manage to sink a transport before it lands. Wow, somewhere in here
I became even with China’s military.
I am overwhelmed with a desire to switch to a domination victory and crush
China. Mao must have realized this too since he offers a peace treaty
in 1792 AD. I accept and sell him miniaturization just to show there
are no hard feelings.
Not wantng me to have the last laugh, Mao completes the SS Docking Bay immediately
and has two other shuttle parts building. I was totally blindsided
by that. Delhi finally completes the Apollo program in 1796 and the
space race is on! Only I am three parts behind with China working on
a fourth. I immediately start on every part that is available to build.
Cleo discovers satellites soon afterward but wants a fortune for it.
I check and she is the first to research it, so I will wait. I start
thinking of some way to slow down China’s production. Mao still has
the nerve to park his ships in my territory and I tell him to leave, or else!
He is too smart to declare war with a space race lead, and I do not want
to give up my chance at an honorable victory.
Next turn China has Satellites and Superconductor so I buy Superconductor
from Cleo for WM plus 23 GPT plus 5927 G. By 1810 Mao has completed
5 parts with 4 on the way, I have 4 parts with 5 on the way. Cleo has
just gotten the Laser but I cannot afford to buy it at second civ costs.
After several turns Cleo still won’t part with it, so I agree to an MPP which
makes her gracious, but not gracious enough to cut me a deal. China
responds by signing an MPP with Japan.
In an interesting twist, Cleo signs an MPP with China as well. I sign
an MPP with Shaka to even things out. Mao and I complete the ninth
spaceship part the same turn. Mao still does not have the Laser.
This is going to be close, I am going to lose if I cannot acquire the Laser
soon!
In 1824 AD Mao finishes researching the Laser and brings the price down to
WM plus 113 GPT plus 3786 G from Cleo. I accept her offer and switch
Moscow from Solar Plant to the SS Planetary Party Lounge. It
completes in one turn and I win with a space race victory in 1826 AD.
My final score was 2787.
Epics Scoring
I get out Sirian’s scorecard and see how many scenario points I got:
| Victory | 25 pts |
| Built the Oracle | 10 pts |
| Built Shakespeare in Capital | 8 pts |
| Built Smith’s | 5 pts |
| Built Hanging Gardens | 3 pts |
| Honorable Game | 10 pts |
| Controlled All Starting Continent | 6 pts |
| First Contact of Russia | 2 pts |
| Controlled All Gems | 10 pts |
| One whale in city limits | 1 pt |
|
|
| Total: | 80 pts |
It is unlikely this was the fastest finish or that 2787 was the highest score.
I may be eligible for the fastest space race, if no one else tried for one!
Comments
This was an interesting twist on your average Civ3 game. It was only
my second Emperor level game and taught me several things. Most important
was to really treasure the availability of fresh water! Where exactly
did Russia get its irrigation? I did not see any lakes or rivers. My
biggest mistake may have been building lots of cavalry intending to upgrade
them to tanks. That was many wasted shields, since the upgrade is not
possible. I used some of those cavalry against Mao when he invaded
but even my elites had a hard time killing a 1 hp mech infantry.
I also re-learned that no land is worthless. I postponed settling Jaipur
Island too long and Zululand and Russia got three cities to my one. I
missed out on coal and rubber as a result. I definitely overestimated
the AI's ability to invade me. China had a huge unit advantage but
would only send them in trickles that my dozen artillery and rail-connected
mech infantry easily defended against. Near the end of that war, my
artillery had also worn down the ships escorting the transports and Mao lost
many ships while I only lost one.
I did make a conscious effort to work towards those scenario points although
occasionally I would forego some points if I thought the game would be more
fun another way. Several of the things I built I had never tried to
get before. In a way, I was disappointed with the space race since
I had never gotten the late game techs, nor the Aegis cruisers or Radar artillery
and was looking forward to playing with them. If I had known China
would rush to a win I would have attacked sooner to cripple it.
This was a very enjoyable game. Thanks for reading my report and special thanks
to Sirian for setting up this game!
