...huh.
After some thought, I do something radical: I take the deal.
Look, I get that this is basically unheard of in Civ multiplayer, probably for good reason. Perez is a decent naval base, although it's basically maxed out on how large it will get due to food and housing issues. It adds a trickle of science and, if you can wait for a harbor, it'll add some gold and science. However, as far as cities go, Perez is like the least essential city in my empire. Its sole purpose is as a naval base for upgrading and repairing to attack the Dutch - and I don't want to fight the Dutch right now.
Why?
First, the Dutch are in the middle of their power spike as they hit Sevens. Those nasties could take Perez away from me in the first turn of a war anyway. They move faster and hit harder than my frigates. Let's maybe get some privateers online, and look to confront them with submarines or battleships down the road.
Second, I'm not in a great position for an apocalyptic war. We're evenly matched at 1300 power apiece now, but Archduke is (somehow) still making a bit of cash, while I'm losing it. We're both maxed out on upgrades, so in a war of attrition I feel like he has a slight advantage, especially when you throw in his Sevens. Let me get my gold situation sorted, and we'll revisit the issue.
Third, I'm about to take off economically. If I avoid a war with the Dutch, I have ~15 turns to get Harbors/trade and Campuses online. Next turn we're buying another Madrasa. 4 turns after that, a library in Zobrist. 10 turns after that, another Madrasa. And so on, in an increasing spiral of faith purchases. I already slammed the accelerator on science this turn, taking me up to 75, highest in the game, and we're going to keep growing.
Fourth, and finally, Perez is in a decent spot for me to retake, and I'm in a good position to hurt the Dutch short of war. I'm clear to at last take Mohenjo-Daro with a frigate fleet:
We're on our way now. 7 turns until the caravel arrives, at which point we'll knock out about 10 Dutch culture and add some of our own, plus we'll get a base to start expanding onto this island. We'll contend with the English but they have other problems.
Finally, we're clear to begin an eastern offensive. I actually have some serious thoughts on this matter. I have 8 Frigates and 4 galleys available for operations, plus about 8 quads left in support. We need to quarantine America, first and foremost - can't let them loose onto the island. Then, though, check things out:
Rowain has 5 cities, total. Very few of them are coastal - at most, 3, unless his island is way narrow, which seems unlikely. An early strike can eliminate Baltimore and any others, and he really doesn't have any way to retaliate. That's one possibility.
We COULD also attack Japper from the rear, helping out Emperor. He has a lot of weak cities exposed to me - a raze-fest here would effectively knock him out. Or I could do both! That would piss off both Rowain and Japper, but if they have no ships, what can they do? I hate to burn bridges like that, but that could be the decisive play. Unfortunately, razing gets me nothing, and helps out the Archduke just as much. I'm inclined to raze Japper's stuff, and try and capture what I can of America - for which I will need Mamluks. Washington will be a tough nut to crack, deep in the interior. I'll noodle that over, but that seems like my best chance at victory somehow.
In 30 turns, we'll come back to the Archduke in a stronger position, and retake Perez and go for his coast. That's the loose plan, at least.
Here's hoping this wasn't too :weed: of a move, but I like to be bold and unconventional. A stupid slugfest between us right now is boring for me (sorry lurkers) - I don't believe in fair fights.
After some thought, I do something radical: I take the deal.
Look, I get that this is basically unheard of in Civ multiplayer, probably for good reason. Perez is a decent naval base, although it's basically maxed out on how large it will get due to food and housing issues. It adds a trickle of science and, if you can wait for a harbor, it'll add some gold and science. However, as far as cities go, Perez is like the least essential city in my empire. Its sole purpose is as a naval base for upgrading and repairing to attack the Dutch - and I don't want to fight the Dutch right now.
Why?
First, the Dutch are in the middle of their power spike as they hit Sevens. Those nasties could take Perez away from me in the first turn of a war anyway. They move faster and hit harder than my frigates. Let's maybe get some privateers online, and look to confront them with submarines or battleships down the road.
Second, I'm not in a great position for an apocalyptic war. We're evenly matched at 1300 power apiece now, but Archduke is (somehow) still making a bit of cash, while I'm losing it. We're both maxed out on upgrades, so in a war of attrition I feel like he has a slight advantage, especially when you throw in his Sevens. Let me get my gold situation sorted, and we'll revisit the issue.
Third, I'm about to take off economically. If I avoid a war with the Dutch, I have ~15 turns to get Harbors/trade and Campuses online. Next turn we're buying another Madrasa. 4 turns after that, a library in Zobrist. 10 turns after that, another Madrasa. And so on, in an increasing spiral of faith purchases. I already slammed the accelerator on science this turn, taking me up to 75, highest in the game, and we're going to keep growing.
Fourth, and finally, Perez is in a decent spot for me to retake, and I'm in a good position to hurt the Dutch short of war. I'm clear to at last take Mohenjo-Daro with a frigate fleet:
We're on our way now. 7 turns until the caravel arrives, at which point we'll knock out about 10 Dutch culture and add some of our own, plus we'll get a base to start expanding onto this island. We'll contend with the English but they have other problems.
Finally, we're clear to begin an eastern offensive. I actually have some serious thoughts on this matter. I have 8 Frigates and 4 galleys available for operations, plus about 8 quads left in support. We need to quarantine America, first and foremost - can't let them loose onto the island. Then, though, check things out:
Rowain has 5 cities, total. Very few of them are coastal - at most, 3, unless his island is way narrow, which seems unlikely. An early strike can eliminate Baltimore and any others, and he really doesn't have any way to retaliate. That's one possibility.
We COULD also attack Japper from the rear, helping out Emperor. He has a lot of weak cities exposed to me - a raze-fest here would effectively knock him out. Or I could do both! That would piss off both Rowain and Japper, but if they have no ships, what can they do? I hate to burn bridges like that, but that could be the decisive play. Unfortunately, razing gets me nothing, and helps out the Archduke just as much. I'm inclined to raze Japper's stuff, and try and capture what I can of America - for which I will need Mamluks. Washington will be a tough nut to crack, deep in the interior. I'll noodle that over, but that seems like my best chance at victory somehow.
In 30 turns, we'll come back to the Archduke in a stronger position, and retake Perez and go for his coast. That's the loose plan, at least.
Here's hoping this wasn't too :weed: of a move, but I like to be bold and unconventional. A stupid slugfest between us right now is boring for me (sorry lurkers) - I don't believe in fair fights.
I Think I'm Gwangju Like It Here
A blog about my adventures in Korea, and whatever else I feel like writing about.
A blog about my adventures in Korea, and whatever else I feel like writing about.
(whether that says it's a good plan or a bad one is left as an exercise for the reader. At the very least it is an entertaining plan 
)
