[PB78] Underdogs and undercats: The Mrrshan warlords visit the world of Civ IV

[Mjmd]

Can you explain why you thought it had to be done?

Can we get a more zoomed out picture of your area please?

[Qgqqqqq]

Very funny. Railroads to get there in one turn?

[thrawn]

Two turns actually. It’s a G2 archer and got there through the hills in the N. First turn started from the gems and went NE-NE-NE using the rails for the first tile. Then SE-E to the position in the screenshot, blocking the road and cutting off his warrior from retreating in time. The city is now razed.

It had to be done because Gav is EXP/IND India and has chopped Henge and the Great wall and is now in a perfect position to rex. Except rex where? There are SD and Dreylin boxing him in from the NE and N (I’ll post a screenshot when I play as it’s now Gav’s half), and Magic is a little further to the NW but still very close and the land between them is mostly mountains and sea. He also has a sea to the W and another to the S-SE leaving him with two prospects and he’ll need both. One is a narrow corridor to the SE that opens up into quite fertile land actually, but it’s far enough that he’ll be paying 3+ or even 4+ gpt in just distance maintenance - the map is 36x36 so distance costs are very high. And his better prospect is right through me. He can’t do it right now because he’s overinvested in wonders and needs to have some garrison in his border city with SD and Dreylin, especially because that’s where he has the Great wall. But he’ll be booming and in 10-20 turns will be able to overwhelm me as I’m still very early in the rebuilding from scratch. Just the city I razed had 8 forests to chop so that’s a granary and 4.5 chariots. And it will serve him greatly to capture my cities because Willow and Rivet will solve his GNP while rexing, and unlike me he won’t need to defend my old capital from barbs from all directions, plus the other players are far enough from it that he won’t have to worry about them either.

So a preemptive strike was essential and I was lucky to be able to sneak up on him but I was ready to march with three dogs if this didn’t work, and he doesn’t have archery yet nor has connected horses so the city was certainly going to go.

As for what now, we’ll have to see. Recapturing Fierias is not an option yet because it will require a large investment and leave my military too stretched out. In principle I’d be happy to deescalate with Gav if he’s willing to agree the border I have in mind, but the reality is he will probably be a game-long enemy both because of the raze and because my land will still be very good for him.

[shallow_thought]

I’d be happy to deescalate with Gav

I'm not convinced there are any recorded instance in RB history of this occuring. But you like a challenge.

Loving the direct action, looking forward to seeing how it works out.

[thrawn]

Do you mean with Gav or in general?

The reason I’m thinking there is a chance for peace in the short term is that he is still in a good position to expand and his GNP will suffer but not nearly as much as if we get in a protracted war. But of course he'll always be a threat this game.

[thrawn]

Turn 57

Crippled Boudica with top GNP




We are seriously behind on foodhammers though, and they are up to five cities and chopping while we are still effectively only on one.

[shallow_thought]

Do you mean with Gav or in general?

With Gavagai, particularly after razing one of his cities. I may be maligning him, but I get the impression that he just doesn't forgive easily. But he's a vet with a competent rep, and you don't achieve that without a good grasp of reality, so we'll see.

[xist10]

I agree.
Sometimes I think, Gavagai is suprised that the other players are a HI, not a KI, but he plays good enough that this should not be a big problem for him. Really the best player in this group.

And c is not nearly as importand than food. And food is as expected horrible. But I have no real solution outside of "Don't lose your capital to 2 real unlucky dicerolls".

[scooter]

Your game has been incredibly entertaining so far. Thanks for reporting even after the RNG monster got you badly.

[thrawn]

Thanks. I’m getting a settler out in a couple of turns and if I manage to settle the city I want and no one attacks me in the next 20 turns I should be back from the dead.

Had to pause research for a bit and use 240 gold to upgrade 3 warriors into dogs. Desperate measures but was necessary to parry Gav and back my coming city claim. Hopefully he thinks I’d be enough of a pain that he’s better off dealing with me later.