[SPOILERS] MNG as Hattie of France

[Gaspar]

Here is your starting position. Have fun! Also, Rowain.

[Mr. Nice Guy]

I'm sure because of the wonderfull Salon's Such a great special building

No really, if I learned anything in PB3 it is that 2 movers are quite a bit more powerful than I'd ever realized. I debated between Byz and France being as that era is the era I'd be most comfortable going to war, but France won out because I think their starting techs will allow me to get a better start to the game, and although the Byz have a great knight replacement they will still rely on maces or muskets for cover. The French allow for greater flexibility with their second move, and that is the other piece of the puzzle.

Oh, and trading +1 happy (dye) for +1 happy (horse) for the Byz UB vs. +1 artist for the French UB... I'll take France. At least I can guarantee that this UB will be more useful than the UB I picked for PB3 - Carthage on an all-land map.

[Mr. Nice Guy]

Here is your starting position. Have fun! Also, Rowain.

Thanks for the picture Gaspar! For posting the first image in my thread, I'll give you a one day pass in the next WW game. Hmmm, don't want to create any suspicions of collusion so I suppose I'll make that 24 hours pass instead of one day. How about I just won't vote for you in my first post? Still too suspicious? Okay then your name won't be the first word I post. STILL too suspicious?

That having been said, I wonder if moving the warrior will provide me with an "interesting choice" or if it really is that obvious a capital location.

On another note, I don't see any happiness resources in the starting screenshot. That makes me think.. what if we used a variation of the map for Holiday Surprise?

So now I just sit and stare at my RB mail box, and wait for the save, right? I'm still new and learning at this PBEM thing you know, so I'll be a little dense on the "how-to"s.

[Rowain]

Hmm interesting start.

Doubt that you will find a better place on turn 0.

[Mr. Nice Guy]

First turn got to me. First, I have been given my first impression of Commodore/Sven. (Darius/HRE) ** They sent me this e-mail along with the save - well, the 2nd of 3 they sent. Apparently they had some technical difficulties.

Just another send in case the first didn't go through.

Also as an aside this one has been replayed with identical scout movement+settler movement+research choice because I forgot to take a screenshot the first time through. Sorry if that's unacceptable. :S.

Commodore & Sven

It might come across as MJW-meta of me, but this is all I have to go on for them at this point. Well, I also have their pick but that's for another post. This to me reads as very passive. I will have to watch and see if that's part of their Civ personality or not...

Anyway, more about the first turn after breakfast. Where do you think I moved the warrior? Do you think I settled in place? And if so, what did I set research to?

**Is that enough times using the word "first" for you?

[Mr. Nice Guy]

Well since we may or may not get a couple of turns in today, I'd better get on top of the updated screenshot. First, the obligatory splash:

That was fun.

I think the settle-in-place was pretty clear, as was the warrior move:
The capital will have plenty of good land. 5 hills plus enough food to work all of them without excessive farming needed. That's great, it leaves me with the kind of flexibility I want at this point. Worker first is obvious. I plan to play a REXing game for at least the first 20-30 turns, and don't mind taking the risk of pulling a Mortius. Not to mention the relatively high number of civs in the game with scout starts.

I had a bit of trouble choosing the tech. As a rule, I prefer heading to BW first for the power of slavery and chopping. But for this game, AH has to come first. I have cow and sheep, each of which will contribute hammers and commerce on top of food. Add in the value of locating horses with tech #1, I couldn't pass it up. Mining-BW next, though, so I can start switching into and out of slavery! How many hammers does the whip produce in Quick?

Oh and did I mention how nice the map looks to start? Not only is this a killer capital location, we get a great location nearby at pigs. It's too soon to say a particular spot, but pigs is strong enough to guarantee a profitable city site. For now, easy to see 2 hills + pigs, which won't suck at all.

[Serdoa]

2/3 of a normal speed whip so 20 instead of 30 hammers. chops are 13 instead of 20 btw.

[Mr. Nice Guy]

2/3 of a normal speed whip so 20 instead of 30 hammers. chops are 13 instead of 20 btw.

... so is everything 2/3 (rounded down) from normal speed?

Maths-enabled chops would be 20 hammers then?

How about whip-anger (or other similar mechanics?)... Would it be 6 turns of whip anger?

[Serdoa]

Yeah, I think mostly everything except for culture. Culture is halfed (you need 5 for the first border pop, 50 for the second and so on till 25000 for legendary). Whip anger is 6 turns and chops with math are 20 hammers.

[Mr. Nice Guy]

Screenshots to come after my older daughter is off to bed. But for now, a preview.... Turns out our land is pretty narrow from sea to shining sea. I moved the warrior onto the hill NW, and it revealed water. Meanwhile, Paris' borders popped after I hit end turn. That revealed water on the other side. Also revealed this turn: ivory, gold, and more spices and flood plains. All in all nice land in my immediate area.

Screenshot to come, as well as thoughts on two of the other four leader/civ picks. But for now, time to get ready for bathtime...