The Quarterdeck - Turn Discussion Thread

[thestick]

Pics eventually.

I accepted a map swap with Trolls, which revealed a large central island.

We polished off Printing Press, and are 3rd in GNP at 0%. Oxford construction began. Techwise, we're actually competitive We're first to Gunpowder, and 2nd to Printing Press (behind Trolls). Important things we lack are most of the lower tree (Iron Working/Feudalism/Guilds/Theology/Compass/Optics) and Troll's Nationalism/Liberalism.

We are 4 points away from surpassing Tasunke in score. Maybe we can claim we're not last place.

Time to decide on a tech target. With our improving GNP but awfully small empire, we should turn to colonization or conquest. I'm thinking Astronomy/Chemistry/Military Science, then go for the Sirianing of Tasunke and claiming the islands. Or Nationhood/Rifling... hmmm.

[Cornflakes]

I think Tasunke would be better than capturing islands. This would put us in border contact with Trolls, but we don't have enough strong ports to keep naval dominance. And without naval dominance the islands can be swiped by an opportunistic neighbor. At least on land we can concentrate our forces at the most vulnerable point.

[thestick]

I think we should hit Chemistry over Rifling, Chemistry's cheaper, especially since we don't have anything on the Nationalism line so drafting's still very expensive.

Anyway, we started on Oxford:



And Trolls' map swap revealed a large island, dare say continent:

[Cornflakes]

That island is a bit ... Larger than I was expecting. What good is chemistry again? (honestly I haven't played this far into a game in a LONG time). I seem to remember chemistry unlocking frigates, but we don't have astronomy. It also opens the door on Steel? Cannon would help deter conquerors

[Cornflakes]

Just checked civstats for the first time in a long while. Uhhhhh .... Tasunke is REALLY going hard. 9 whips/drafts in one turn

EDIT: this moves us out of last score-wise

[thestick]

Yeah, Chemistry's the key to the bottom of the tree. Unlocks Frigates/Pirates (of course with Astro, but we'll need a navy eventually) and opens up Military Science (Grenadiers) and Steel (Cannons), as well as Scientific Method and all the goodies behind it. Without Natiohood for Rifle drafting or Cuirssairs, Grenadiers are probably the way to go.

Definitely think Tasunke's a better target than M3, despite any thoughts of retaking Tortuga and its Hindu shrine. Our border with M3 was built to deter aggression, with large cultural buffers. Tasunke on the other hand has a bunch of cities two-tiles from our border, plus has been wearing himself out silly with the Trolls already. Our NAP with Tasunke runs out T180, which is good, gives us enough time to hit Military Science and build up enough of an army.

The counter-objections are the obvious attempting to attack with terrible production, and if not just heading for Mercantilism/Representation would be a better option.

And if we do commit to this, should we try to secure the help of the Trolls? With the danger that they tip of Tasunke.

[thestick]

For further consideration.

Tech chart:



We are the only civ with Gunpowder. Tasunke lacks anything besides Longbows and Knights. M3 has Maces, Ballistaphants, and Catapults, lacking Longbows and Knights.

Tasunke lost two cities to Trolls:



GNP, MFG, and Crop:









M3's spike is due to them kicking off a Golden Age.

Demographics:



Those losses pushed us to fourth in Crop Yield.

Also, about time to backfill to Iron Working/Engineering; Engineering's prerequisite for Chemistry. We'll definitely need Pikes, and they require Iron.

[thestick]

Wised up and swapped a Mine to Barbados:



Moai's coming along:



Iron Working found Iron:

[thestick]

Engineering in two turns. Next turn we accumulate enough EPs to get City Visibility on Talking Parrot.

[Cornflakes]

Engineering in two turns. Next turn we accumulate enough EPs to get City Visibility on Talking Parrot.

It's on a hill too, so that'll give us good vision. Maybe consider a Knight dash to raze Talking Parrot?