[PB74 Spoilers] Donovan Zoi Celebrates 20 Years of Living Dangerously

[Donovan Zoi]

Turn 81 - 850 BC

(Axe takes Spear if metal kills my Chariot)

Note that your chariot is on a road, so he can take and retreat.

I'm not sure which happened first, you posting this or me seeing it in-game. But yes, I foolishly took the first L (in human cost at least) on this one.  Live and learn, I surely could have waited an extra turn to see Seoul's defenses.

I had the land-based Chariot raze the road for exposing my lack of fundamentals. It will at least keep Horses from Cheju.  I rallied 5 more units here to either take a shot at Seoul or move SE next to Pusan.


 


And here's our build queues for T81, giving us 3 more Chariots from overflow and a bit of unhappiness.  It'll be another 4 turns until we connect Silver, and HA double-whips will happen on T83.





And lets zoom out a bit further.  You'll see that once we take Cheju, we will have expanded our zone of control to just north of Seoul in the SW.  Capturing Deluge will be another great turning point, as it will provide swift passage for our 2-movers right into the heart of Egypt.




Further south, you can see the distance between Pusan and Grey Goo, mostly undeveloped.  Miguelito may have a War Chariot standing post here, but otherwise won't expect 3-4 units traversing through here sans roads.


City Screens

[Donovan Zoi]

Turn 82 - 825 BC

This was a fun turn.  Every picture I'm posting is a possible headline so I'll just post it in the order I lived it.


Archery Discovered!

I forgot to mention last turn that I had just enough to complete Archery, despite my forays into sub-binary research for a short time.

And techs are getting cheaper too, though I'm currently doing my best to flatline my population for long-term benefit.  I had talked myself into Maths, to ensure I'm one step away from many of the paths it offers.  Plus better chops.





New Quest Revealed!

This was the next screen I encountered, the Classical Literature Quest.  Well, that's a great mission to send me during wartime!  Still, we get the whole Classical Era to complete it.  Also, CRE Libraries make this one a breeze and I'm pretty sure my current misadventures will get me to the needed 9 cities at some point.




I did a bit of research on this one, and it comes with 3 different reward options:

1.+2 research in one (triggering) city's library
2. Get one ancient era tech
3. If you control the Great Library wonder, gain +1 scientist specialist

It sounds to me like the specialist will be assigned to the 9th Library built.  But this also inspires me to consider the Great Library.  I doub't I'd go for the tech option -- I think only Poly- and Monotheism are left anyway.  Oh and Masonry.


National Unrest As First Wave of Horchers Begun!

I started HA builds in the Big 4, even replacing the nearly-complete Chariot in K2.  I'll 2-whip 3 of them, with a single whip happening in DV due to hammer count.




And look at all those red faces!  The HA whips, ironically, will bring temporary comfort to the masses, while the upcoming Silver will allow cities to get one pop point back.  Still, I'm considering a second wave of HA-whips -- will our nation be able to endure it?


An Ambitious Egypt Show Signs of Vulnerability!

Below is Exhibit Alpha thru Omega as to why I'm switching gears militarily and setting my sights on Egypt.




The first thing you'll notice is the dearth of garrisons in 2 flagship cities.  Then your eyes will wander to the power ratio I'm amassing against everyone nearby.  And so far I have only seen 2 Axes and 2 WCs in and around Deluge.  I'm planning to start my campaign with 3-4 Horchers and 6-8 Chariots.

What you can't see in this screenie is Mig's Galley NE of the Colossus, likely carrying a 3-whipped Settler to his own capital island.  He has undertaken similar 3-whips to complete Forges, not to mention the amount of work put into getting the Colossus.  I'm hoping he still has that process in mind for Atlantis and Ragnarok (both still Size 6), as it will lower the amount of units he'll be able to rush in retaliation.


It's Pusan or Bust in Korea!

I had put my 6-unit stack into position to advance on either Seoul or Pusan, and have opted for the latter after finding only a Spearman defending there.  




But here's the thing -- metal likely has 4 new Chariots from his recent whips and I'm expecting to see at least one here next turn.  This would be be enough for me to abort the mission and get these 4 Chariots up north for extra insurance in my bid to steal the Colossus.  They could also help me take down Cheju once I soften up a Spearman with an HA.  I can always come back later, and will.


The Long Road to Monarchy

No picture in this one, though my switch from Maths to Monarchy was teased at the top of the last screenshot.  And looking at the last two, you'll see the financial straits I've put myself in:

-35gpt at 100% science
+13gpt at 0% science

And with a possible 10 more units coming over the next 3 turns, you can see the direction I'm headed.  Soon my only source of income will be conquest gold. 

Still, and quite laughable to say out loud, my only way out of this predicament is to build more units!  The Big 4 cities are all capable of building Quechua in 3 turns or less, but I'll be able to soon trade that -1g in unit cost for (hopefully) 3g per sea tile via the Colossus.  There's Lighthouses & Libraries to be thrown into the mix somewhere as well, but I'll need to sort out the details later.  Right now, I'm fully invested in having the Colossus in my possession by T90, and if things go as well as I hope, Monarchy too.  Both are such an integral part of my original game plan that I can't actually believe they're both close enough for me to touch.

[Donovan Zoi]

Turn 83 - 800 BC

Advance on Pusan?

So I just said this last turn:

But here's the thing -- metal likely has 4 new Chariots from his recent whips and I'm expecting to see at least one here next turn.  This would be be enough for me to abort the mission and get these 4 Chariots up north for extra insurance in my bid to steal the Colossus.

Well...



LOL, DZ out!  I ended up moving my stack 1N.  I reserve the option to head SW toward Seoul next turn, but only if metal follows me with his Chariots and gets stuck in the forest.  I have a Galley carrying 2 Axes within boating distance of Seoul, which can hopefully do enough damage for my 4 Chariots to clean up.

However, this move would still leave me in a quagmire down here when I really want those Chariots on the outskirts of Deluge in 3 turns.


Dude, Were Your Ears Ringing?

And who should I happen to find on my way back north?  



Why, it's Miguelito, after years of shunning my invites, finally approaching our doorstep at the worst possible moment.  I'm really not ready to show him my HAs yet, so no whip from Death Valley this turn.  I did whip the other 3 HAs which will be exposed by T85.  And since I'm planning to have units rallied at the S base of the SW mountain on T86, I will need to put on a hell of a show to put him at ease and keep him from whipping units too early..

I'm thinking of staging an attack on Cheju from the NW hill on T85 and offering peace to metal on T86 after both have played, moving units to the rally point with 4 Workers in tow to lay road for a T87 Deluge strike.  Time will tell if it pays off, or if metal will even take the peace.  If he sees no city taken in PBSpy, he may accept outright.  If not, then I just use a second wave of HA's to play D at Death Valley.

Many variables going this route too.  Do I try to race for Pjongjang's Copper site during peace if granted?  Could I stop at Deluge, offer peace to Egypt and clean up a woefully undefended Mali?  These are the things that keep me up at night and a big reason why I've been in the turns so long lately.  I want it all, but am concerned of the repercussions should it all go to hell.  And with yours truly at the helm, that's not outside the realm of possibility.

I'm trying to stay positive, but I'd advise that you all get the popcorn ready either way.   

[klops]

also "lol" to pusan :D
Thats one hell of a master plan, tricking two neighbours with one army... well, cavalry.
Wait... did you just say "mali"?? need to check my popcorn supplies

[Donovan Zoi]

also "lol" to pusan :D
Thats one hell of a master plan, tricking two neighbours with one army... well, cavalry.
Wait... did you just say "mali"?? need to check my popcorn supplies

I wouldn't put too much stake in my Mali comment, as I was just thinking aloud.  My main target here is Egypt, and I don't think we'll be forced to stop at Deluge. But here's a Powergraph to show that why I feel Mali could be a viable candidate for annexation.





With that being said, Magic Science has completed 4 whips over two wraparound turns.  My nearby Scout noticed at least 1 new Skirmisher where once stood a Warrior,  So yeah, not as tasty as before.  I'll stick to the plan.

Also, that's a nice little spike on our part.  But it didn't come cheap.





We're going to need to see some results soon on these expenses.  Here's what we have in the field to make that happen (as of T84).





And here's our T84 Demos.  We actually moved to #1 in Power the next turn, to the detriment of just about everything else.  All we need is one good conquest gold haul and things will slowly turn back in our favor once we land Monarchy.

[Donovan Zoi]

Two turns for the price of one....

Turn 84 

Not much going on in T84 despite what I have planned.  Mostly playing the Civ version of Tic-Tac-Toe (aka unwinnable) with Korea, while keeping up appearances for our unexpected Egyptian guest.

Here's the only tactical screenshot from this turn and it's pretty weak.  Just us getting chased out of town by a stack 2S of us.



I still have 2 Galleys on the coast.  The one buzzing Seoul's tower is only carrying a Scout to check out GKC's lands.  The northern one dropped off 2 Axemen, but I'm waiting to see if I'll live to regret the drop off:  They really should have gone NE to cover my horses instead of SE, leaving themselves vulnerable to metal's Chariots (forest or no forest).

T85 - Showtime!

I opened the turn, after m&M had both played.  I tried to capture everything going on here in 2 screenshots.



A - Miguelito's WC just north of Death Valley.  So he knows we have Horchers now, but still no whips this turn.  I'm a bit concerned of the damage he can do once he's kicked out of our borders.

B - My Worker crew of 4, trying to look inconspicuous.  Even though I suspiciously stopped orders for all of them, so they didn't get locked into completing Cottages when I'll need them to be staged for road work next turn.  I also took my Spearman and had it protect a stack of 2 Workers, since metal's lone Chariot up here could snag them with a road of his own.

C - My stack: 3 Horchers and 6 Chariots, ready to 2-move into position for Deluge next turn if all looks good.  I'm still kicking myself for not making sure to have the 2 Axes and/or Spearman here as well.  I'll know soon if I've paid the price for that.

D - Cheju defended by that lone Chariot for the moment because...

E - metal moved his 3 Axes and 1 Spear to the forest hill to keep my 2 Axes from joining the fight (and to protect a strategic road.


Moving further south...



E - for continuity

F - I re-embarked the two Axes toward Seoul with the hopes of keeping metal's growing stack from reaching my frontlines.

G - Korean Axe, Spear and 5 Chariots are continuing north.

H - Korean Spear, Archer and 2 Workers in forest on completed road.  This means metal can re-road the two tiles I pillaged if he still has his Cheju Workers, giving his 5 Chariots a chance to reach Cheju.

I - Seeing this, I'm pretending to double back toward Pusan with the hope it will keep metal in a more protective mood.  But really, the plan is to take the 4 Chariots 2NE within striking distance of Deluge.  The Axe/Spear will lag 1 tile behind to eventually defend the city if I'm successful.

J - Seoul has 2 Spearman and an Archer defending, so it's definitely off the table for now. Further south, my Scout Galley has discovered Korea's devoted island.   I should find GKC soon as well, so I'll hold off on mapping this island for now.


This all sounds great, but does metal know it's showtime?

That's what I'll find out in a few hours when I play the turn.  I didn't want to offer peace on T85 because it could kick my horse stack SW and away from the action if he accepts.

There's a good chance that I'll find some HA's wounded or destroyed, but there's still a solid chance the he'll just leave the stack alone and brace himself for the onslaught.  I'll make a decision on Deluge once I confirm the safety of my stack, and just hope that metal opts for peace when I offer it at the end of T86.

And Miguelito?

I was expecting a few whips from Egypt for the mere presence of my HA's, but none have teken place since the Forges/Settler of T81 & 83.  And his cities are not particularly hammer-heavy so even with a Forge I don't see units flying out the door.  I guess we will find out soon enough.  

[Donovan Zoi]

Turn 86 - 725 BC

The turn started out pleasant enough -- the game is setting me up with a Sheep pasture (and road!) for Lake Nyos and eventually Wittenoom.  Nice!




But then the bad news...




Ugh. So starting from the bottom:

--metal did indeed use a nearby Spear to take out one of my HA's, then deleted the unit so I couldn't gain XP from an easy win.  This would not have happened if I had made the proper Axeman drop earlier.

--My ploy to keep metal from advancing his southern stack worked, I guess.  Just not in the way I anticipated.  Rather than defend, he rolled the dice on direct combat of our nearly identical stacks (Axe, Spear, 5 to 4 Chariot advantage for Korea).  He lost the first 3 battles softening up my Spear before winning two 50% rolls on Chariot v. Chariot (nabbing an IMP GG in the process).  I was not able to defy RNG for the remaining battles, so my southern stack was dust.

--Meantime, he left the city of Cheju completely vacant, so I erased this eyesore from our horizon.




19g?  I wasn't expecting much, so I'll take it.  We now have 4 turns of Monarchy saved up at 100% science.

I needed to survey the surroundings so I sent out a Chariot...




We encountered this ragtag group of hellions, with his attack stack likely hitting us from the forest east of the Pigs.   Another blunder on my part, knowing he had workers in tow.  I had the option of moving everyone to the hill 2s of Cheju's rubble, but didn't want to tip off Miguelito to even more mounted units nearby.  Even though I had plausible deniability for being there to attack Cheju.  Oh well, I have nothing to hide down here now.  

There was also the prospect of Korea connecting the Copper road to come back at us, but maybe that's not in the cards if he lost half of his Chariots.  Regardless, I decided to build some roads of my own to easily open up my units to the south if needed.




I had my two closest Workers road east of the mountain, while the two northerly ones were able to reach Horse Hill to complete a road next turn.  This allowed me to get a Spearman on tops of my vulnerable stack as well.  It also means the setup against Egypt would be delayed for at least another turn.  Even still, with the new road, I'll now be able to stage my stack 2NW of Deluge without putting Workers in harms way.  But only if metal accepts my peace agreement, which was still my plan for this turn all along.

And this looks to be a good time for a clean break, if you check out the map of the current war zone.  I mean, do either of us really want to continue a war over an empty plot of land?  The roadnet in the middle looms large here, for either war- or peacetime opportunities.  Oh, and I moved my Chariot scout to a tile that can be countered. #lrn2war




As an incentive for peace, I whipped two more Horses in K2 and Pryp'jat to show I still mean business.  However, I will likely keep these two up north to track Egypt's WC and to have something better than Quechuas in place to deter Mali if needed.




I'm also holding off on the HA in Death Valley, so I can size up to 5 and chop/whip a Settler to grab a great defensive hill site with 3 food resources that should irrigate the recently farmed Rice with a Terrace.  I'm considering the same thing for Skeleton Coast, so we can stay in the Settler race.

Speaking of which, Magic Science has Settlers 8 & 9 out there, so there's a case to be made for rattling his fragile cage right now as well.  But honestly, we can't do it all, so I have some decisions to make.  After all, the last war started based on an overly aggressive city plant.

I'll have a second post for this turn shortly -- I took a lot of screenshots this time out!

[Donovan Zoi]

Turn 86 - Cont'd

Since i was already in a diplomatic form, I decided it would be a good time to reach out to GKC for OB.  Mostly because we are getting close to his land.  It would be nice to see how he is approaching m&M from the south and, more importantly, if there are more players to meet.

I'm definitely looking forward to mapping this area though.  The French have borders just south of the Sugar.





I mapped out Mig's 6th and 7th cities too.  Hey, how come he gets 2 Copper? 




Just kidding, though mildly curious.  I'm actually really happy with my land and resources.  But here I am, just milling about like it's nobody's business.  I may have to skedaddle because should war happen, I'll get booted in a way that could get me landlocked.  But hopefully, I'll be allowed to check out GKC from another angle.

I also wanted to check on production, to gauge what Egypt can produce organically.  Just a bit better than us at our peak, but those Forge gains will compound quickly.




Predictable dips from metal and I. May be worth reviewing the other graphs.


Demographics

It's been a while since I posted these and for good reason.  After hanging around near the top for a generation or two, we've fallen to the bottom of the pack until we can show some gains from our military investment.




We also lost our #1 status in Soldiers, and likely to Gavagai, who is making short work of Xist10 right now.  metal's decision informs our upcoming turns: it will either be stalemate, Gold & (maybe) Colossus, or a Genghis Khan-type romp through Mali-land.

[Qgqqqqq]

Did you consider keeping Cheju?

[Donovan Zoi]

Did you consider keeping Cheju?

Not for a second, honestly.  I had intended to raze it before it even hit Size 2 until metal settled in.   Plus there's a coastal site I've been eyeing 2w that boasts 3 food, and explosive growth will be the next phase of my game.  Looking at Cheju, it could have been a nice production city.  But there was just too much uncertainty in the region for me to want to keep it in favor of the future city.

I realize this means that all I really gained from this war (assuming it's over?) was 98g and a bit of breathing room to my south.  We also got to disconnect Copper, but still suffered an 8-3 loss in units due to some poor tactics on my part.  I'm hoping to fare better on the next one.