Adventure 53 Sponsor Shadow and Comments

[T-hawk]

http://www.dos486.com/civ4/adv53/

Comments about the scenario precede the report. Wow, this is actually my first Civ 4 RB event since Holiday Wishlist.

[pindicator]

I'm disappointed that I let this slide until past the reporting deadline, but after sneaking a few peaks at reports I've decided to finish as a shadow game. Anyway, I was wondering if anybody else thought about the merits of settling on the elephant to start off? In the reports I've skimmed it didn't even seem to be on anybody's radar but it was my first reaction on seeing the start. And while it is a little weaker play as the FIN leader (you're exchanging a 2h city plant for a 1f3h3c tile) you do get the corn and 3 out of 5 flood plains without losing a turn to settle like you would for settling on the plains hill.

Anyway, hopefully I can get a shadow game finished up in the next week or so and actually contribute to the discussion

[T-hawk]

LKendter settled on the ivory.

It never occurred to me, but mostly because when playtesting I always just settle on the starting spot since that will be the most common player choice. Settling on ivory in general is a fine move: the tile isn't super great to work, just barely better than any old grass hill; but it's great to have the second hammer and two extra commerce with Financial on the city center right from turn zero.

In other words, working the ivory is +3 commerce over working a regular grass hill; but settling on the ivory is +1 hammer +2 commerce on the city center, just about strictly superior and starts sooner. Of course it's good, just hit my blind spot when mapmaking and playtesting.

[NobleHelium]

Sorry what? Settling on ivory doesn't trigger the financial bonus, it's still only a 1c city tile.