[PB77 Spoilers] Here Be Dragoons

[Ginger*]

AGG (Amphibious and transport efficiency*)
PHI (Astro Bulb)
CHM (boat promos)

Japan, Spain, Inca (terrace irrig), Rome, America, France

Alexander of Japan is my ideal combo, but Lincoln or even Brennus of Spain might be interesting.

*promos more important this game because each extra couple units requires an extra transport too, so additional hammer savings on densifying your power.

edit: more detail as to why

[Commodore]

Dragons detected?

[Ginger*]

i think first question to ask with a start like this is when does Pottery factor in, or do we just slowbuild settlers? 4 resources and a lake is not terrible but I think we farm the sheep and crabs are crabs—uninspiring without a lighthouse. Moving the settler 2S is also a possibility depending on what scout finds.

I think another question is how much do I want to rely on coast growth. With Agg to ameliorate unit costs, monarchy becomes more efficient.

[Ginger*]

In PB75, and this isn't a spoiler bc its already happened, I picked a setup with CHA and a happy building to allow me to skip Monarchy for a long time and beeline Math->Currency. While I just played that opening, I am feeling tempted by the possibility of a repeat because currency is going to be 50% more valuable than normal on this map with foreign ICTR.

Maybe I'm looking at this wrong by optimizing a leader/civ for combat. Even with a tech lead, taking islands without surprise is prohibitively expensive. We might have a real grindy game, so picking a REX leader to declare a fait accompli might be the best move. Joao of Mali

No I think PHI is a necessity to actually have some GPs outside of those earmarked for Astro. If we go to Astro via Lib then maybe SPI with Pacifism could prove a workable substitute.

Another reason to go PHI is that early metalcasting is useful on this map, Engineer rushing Pyramids is probably the only way to reasonably get them unless you're IND.
With fewer players in the game Medi-> Priest -> Oracle looks tempting too.

[Ginger*]

I couldn’t decide what flavor of PHI I wanted so I locked in Spain, as a result I’m now looking for Lincoln pairing here, with Nebu as an alternate option. Was thinking about Brennus but SPI early plays (aside from Oracle CoL) probably have less return than beelining Currency

[Amicalola]

You know CtH has done a pretty decent job when Alex of Japan is anyone's favourite combo going in.

[Miguelito]

Why does Alex not fit Spain? And why do Cha and Ind, in particular?

[Ginger*]

Nebu to do Oracle-MC things with Mysstarting tech

Also this Capital looks like it could use extra happiness early game to run a few cottages, but the main draw of CHA is boat promos with Citadels

The Alex synergy for Japan was that you get Amphibious without Feud or Theo or even a revolt. He’s still workable and I did want to try Agg, but I value the promos and early game of CHA higher

[Ginger*]

Lincoln of Spain this should be fun
Astro/Engineering -> ???? -> Profit
I’m surprised by all the PRO picks when when have foriegn ICTR available by the mapmaker

[Miguelito]

Okay so whenever Commodore is done with the map we can send it to Ramk.
Monarch, No huts/events/barbs/spies/etc.
I think the existing PB74 mod in use for pb74 and 75 should work? No changes to CtH since then

So that's the reason for Phi? Need an alternative path to astronomy?