Winner: Hannibal
Runner Up: Bismark
First to Die: Churchill
Survivors: 4
Victory: Space, 311
Interesting map. That giant blob of mountains and desert east of Beijing seems to split the world in two, though Mao will probably settle past there along the coast. If he doesn't, Bismark has a chance to take a giant pile of territory, easily enough to make him a serious contender.
Hannibal's river looks very nice for Financial, and I like his geographic position better than some others - Wang Kon and Cyrus are both going to have to settle right up to their southern neighbor or pick their way along the coast if they want good land, making for long stretched-out empires and possible border conflicts. Churchill has terrible traits and is neighbored by Mao & my winning pick, so he beats Cyrus out for first to die.
Runner-up's the hardest, as I could easily talk myself into Bismark, Mao, or either of the two eastmost civs. If Bismark does get distracted by Mao, both Wang Kon and Asoka are capable of turning peaceful neighbors into an economic snowball; on the other hand, if Bismark gets to attack Asoka or settle freely up to the Chinese desert then he should have a massive land advantage. On balance I think Bismark has the most ways to win from this position, so I'll go with him second. Financial winner in an even game means I'm picking space victory.
Runner Up: Bismark
First to Die: Churchill
Survivors: 4
Victory: Space, 311
Interesting map. That giant blob of mountains and desert east of Beijing seems to split the world in two, though Mao will probably settle past there along the coast. If he doesn't, Bismark has a chance to take a giant pile of territory, easily enough to make him a serious contender.
Hannibal's river looks very nice for Financial, and I like his geographic position better than some others - Wang Kon and Cyrus are both going to have to settle right up to their southern neighbor or pick their way along the coast if they want good land, making for long stretched-out empires and possible border conflicts. Churchill has terrible traits and is neighbored by Mao & my winning pick, so he beats Cyrus out for first to die.
Runner-up's the hardest, as I could easily talk myself into Bismark, Mao, or either of the two eastmost civs. If Bismark does get distracted by Mao, both Wang Kon and Asoka are capable of turning peaceful neighbors into an economic snowball; on the other hand, if Bismark gets to attack Asoka or settle freely up to the Chinese desert then he should have a massive land advantage. On balance I think Bismark has the most ways to win from this position, so I'll go with him second. Financial winner in an even game means I'm picking space victory.
