A lot to comment on, but for now let me just say this: don't leave on "save promotions and social policies." It allows broken and unfun plays - particularly insta-heal abuse.
Edit: Oh, and let's leave ruins on, but put the difficulty on emperor or immortal so you can't get ridiculously good stuff from them.
EditEdit: Keep the start bias, otherwise civs like England or particularly the Iroquois can get utterly screwed.
Edit: Oh, and let's leave ruins on, but put the difficulty on emperor or immortal so you can't get ridiculously good stuff from them.
EditEdit: Keep the start bias, otherwise civs like England or particularly the Iroquois can get utterly screwed.