(SPOILERS) Donovan Zoi Fights in Honor of Japan's Bad Name

[Donovan Zoi]

On a related note, I failed to mention earlier that we did get about 110 in failgold this turn due to our efforts. So that will help us with tech, as well as our Settler expansion. It won't last long however. We are already at -7gpt at 100% research and that will go up after each new city founded. But we still do have a great recovery plan since most new tiles after Size 2 in the island cities will be straight commerce.

So I still say, spam the cities, take the temporary gpt hit and grow out of it.

[Papa Bear]

Thanks for the swift reply, Donovan Zoi! And best of luck and fun in the time to come in this PB!

[Cornflakes]

Anyway, I did set the tech queue to Archery, but think we can move to Pottery if you are okay with the Copper disconnect and Warrior garrisons for now.
[...]
If all looks good next turn, I think the Warrior gambit will work for us so most hammers can be put into Workboats and city improvements.

Pottery sounds good. I'm inclined to leave cities without garrisons with emergency hammers for whip, and rely on isolation and worboat/scout-on-island sentries. At this point I would be very very surprised if we are anywhere but east/southeast of Austrailia. Add to the previous information the fact that the map origin is nearby our southwest (no need to pretend we don't have that info ). Our east is safe backlines. When we need axes or spears for our forward-most western city(ies) we can double-whip axes for max overflow.

Settler to the northern silver island stealing sheep for immediate growth is good. I didn't realize the sheep would be shared.

Long-term thoughts given an archipelago start with expansion through Australia:
- Control of the seas is imperative to long-term safety. We can defend adequately with superior navy and protective archers/longbows. Other military techs can be ignored until we want to take the offensive.
- With sea control we also can pick off islands of our neighbors. Collateral doesn't work off ships, but Amphibious promotion allow us to use ship movement for flexibility/forking. 
- Amphibious promotion requires 5xp for melee as Aggressive, which can be achieved at Vassalage. Same for Gunpowder units but it's a bit early to plan for those ...
- Maces are an obvious melee unit to target. Maces require a lot of tech and historically I don't remember getting much use out of maces compared to knights (due to slow movement). But movement in ships makes up for slow land movement of maces. Machinery pre-req for Maces is also a pre-req for Optics/Caravels.
- We should start planning Scientist GPP for double-Astronomy-bulb. Possibly an earlier Optics bulb for Caravels. Do you see any Marble for Parthenon?

[Donovan Zoi]

Ugh, I hate my job sometimes. I'll try to get you a proper response to the above tonight, but can say that we are on the same page. I do already have "Parthenon," "naval superiority" and "Colossus/Astro" as topics I want to discuss.

I'll be playing the turn tonite as well. I decided to stick with Archery since I still want the option to disconnect the Copper road (and I know that means a full tear down of the tile ) for awhile without leaving us bereft of defense options.

[Donovan Zoi]

Turn 65

Hey all, sorry for he delay in reporting.  The new turn just rolled, so I thought I'd give a quick update re: last turn.




I two-whipped the Kojiro settler, which will embark on the waiting Galley next turn.  We are 1 turn off from having the Sheep worker join as well, but the Galley will be waiting on T67 to accept and escort him into the new city so he can hit the Silver on T68.  My only concern is that there could be barbs waiting in the fog on this relatively large island, so I think I will disregard my idea to disconnect the Copper in lieu of your idea to store the hammers for emergency garrison whips.  For now, we can put 1h into an Archer in new cities since they are a bit young to 2-whip just yet.

Ieyasu is building another Workboat for the island Crab while it grows to Size 6.  Then I'll start on a new Settler here that we can 2- whip to found the Gems city.  In fact, here is an outline of the order I see our cities being founded (the lines designate source of the Settler). And yeah, that is a Pink Dot Hexagon by the Gold should we  consider a race to that site before some others.  Our travels will also continue in the west as a new island with Sheep was discovered.  Proof of other life must exist beyond here or the Gold, I would think.  And a channel to the east is not out of the question, though unlikely.

[Cornflakes]

PBSpy suggests you settled 2 cities in the past 2 turns  any signs of intelligent life yet?

[GeneralKilCavalry]

Any news?

[Cornflakes]

I have decided to stop dedlurking and get a wider view of the world. Good luck! Still rooting for you.

[Papa Bear]

I hear Japan is at war... Any time to post a few pics?

[Donovan Zoi]

Turn 100 Super Report

Hey all, sorry for being my usual self and not reporting.  Before I get started, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Cornflakes for holding out for so long as a dedlurker, but I get it -- I wouldn't have stuck around either.  Thing is, and also as usual, I am enjoying the hell out of this game so it's ridiculous not to report on it.  Anyway, here goes!

First here are parts of my known map so far. You can use the mini-maps in each shot for context.

Japan and Mongol (shade) encroachment



Here is the mainland, where I currently have 6 cities.  Japan is totally protected by ocean to the east, and also to the north to a certain point.  

shade's Mongols have Pink Polka-Dotted me like crazy in the west and as of this time have been making solid use of his IMP trait, outnumbering me in city count 13-6 (next closest is Flunky with 9).  Luckily I made a conscious decision to favor Metal Casting over Maths/Currency in a move that is currently paying off in naval advantage -- I have two Triremes in the area.  I still feel confident long term despite the current city discrepancy, and will document the history of my relationship with shade in a separate post.


Australia 



Surprisingly, shade has a full run of Australia -- a continent that I was sure would be in play for 2-3 different civs.  I've been wondering if the two of us were given more room to run due to our remote starts.  I mean, how are either of us going to take over the world from here? There's also a good chance that the game admins wanted to to see how a land vs. sea conflict would turn out, and that is certainly where I think we are headed!

You may also notice how Australia's eastern coast is fully protected by ocean, meaning I have that same luxury.  In the NE of this screenshot, the two highlighted squares are a Workboat farthest north, with a Trireme hanging back to contain any encroachment and give me plenty of time to respond before my northernmost city is threatened.


Ehtiopia (Flunky), Persia (Meiz) and Ottomans (TR)

 

Flunky's Ethiopia (southwest of frame) is the main contender in this part of the world, consistently in the Top 3 in score after getting a boost from the Hanging Gardens.  TR looks to be solid with 6 cities, with Meiz (light blue) getting squeezed a bit with only 4 cities.


Ottomans, India (Ceres), Vikings (JP) and Apenimon (Russia)



These are the most recent civs I have met, with Ceres being my resource trade partner.  After Ceres tried to shake down a free Silver from me, I countered with my surplus Gems and Silver for his sole Gold.  His acceptance allowed me to corner all 3 Forge happies as further justification for my choice of Metal Casting.  It was also a good deal for him.

As a side note, I have OB with everyone --except shade, my nearest neighbor and only threat.  I won't let you down, Papa Bear.  I will be reporting the blood as its spilled, even if it's my own.  But I am gonna do my damnedest to keep that from happening.