[PB61 Spoilers] JesseL's First PB Game

[civac2]

Your two archers have about 40% odds to destroy the city if he settles there.

You can use https://civ.zulan.net/vodka to check this kind of thing in advance.

[Charriu]

Your two archers have about 40% odds to destroy the city if he settles there.

You can use https://civ.zulan.net/vodka to check this kind of thing in advance.

Don't forget that JesseL is PRO and thanks to Drill 1 can take shock. This raises his odds a bit to 48%.

EDIT And I also forgot that his axeman most likely will have at least 5% fortification bonus decreasing your odds further.

[civac2]

I did consider both the fortification and Drill 1 but didn't notice that one(?) of archers can promote.

[JesseL]

One of the archers has drill 2 and the other one can promote.

[Tarkeel]

What's your reason for Drill2?

[JesseL]

I have always liked the drill promotions for the first strikes and reduction in collateral damage. It would be nice to know how the damage for first strikes is calculated.

[Tarkeel]

From Civfanatics' Combat Explained:

First strike round(s) are special. The number of them is determined by looking at the number of first strike rounds of the attacker and the defender. Whichever number is greater gets the difference of values in first strike opportunities. For x-y first strikes (possible first strikes), the math is still unproven, but it looks like a 50% likelihood of getting a first strike each “round” possible.

A first strike round is like any other round, except that the first striker is the only one who can do damage. For example, if the attacker has two first strikes and the defender zero, the first two rounds have two possibilities – the attacker wins so the defender loses damage or the defender “wins” and nobody gets hurt. The odds in this round are just like any other. The first striker is just immune to damage.

Basically, first strikes are great when you have odds to win the fight, but doesn't do much to increase those odds. It's often thought of as a "win-more-promotion". There's also the uncomfortable fact that most mounted units are immune to first strikes, and they are much more prevalent in multiplayer than singleplayer.

Personally, I'd use D1 as a free stepping stone to cover and shock, which greatly enhances your combat odds.

[JesseL]

4th city settled. My capital took a pause from archers and settlers to build 2 more workers to improve my empire. Copper is in my borders. Rome has that city for now but Rome settling that close means my first target for war is chosen. My research plan now is writing, iron working, mathematics, currency to get my economy up. Then probably horseback riding and construction to prepare for war. I cannot let Rome have those gems for long.

[Tarkeel]

How are you coming along at securing those borders?

[JesseL]

I was holding off on posting as not much has been happening. One more city to settle with a settler that will be done next turn. After that my capital will build 4 more workers and my other cities will start building axemen and a few spearmen for the war against Rome. I am not seeing any archers so swordsmen do not seem necessary. After iron working I will go mathematics - currency.