[Spoilers] TheArchduke thinks it is all a dream as Japan

[TheArchduke]

   

[TheArchduke]

My choices:

Mali, Cree, Kongo, Nubia, Japan, Mongolia, England

I dislike Mali, Cree, Kongo in a competitive situation. I am playing Nubia in a Duel. I have done Mongolia. England needs a bit of water and I have done it.

I am seriously at a loss. I am torn between Mali and Japan. The Cree are fun in SP, but do not have a real edge for MP. I might also revisit Nubia if I am desperate.

[TheArchduke]

So first out:

Mongolia (an awesome war civilization, but I did them in PBEM 8)
England (better on sea then on land and I did them in PBEM 4)
Kongo (there is just any real strength to Kongo in a MP competition, passive religion, subpar UU and the worst district you can have. Something for a medieval start maybe?)
Cree (again a lot fun in SP, the scout UU is not something I want to use in MP, it is more expensive and you want to churn those scouts out quickly. I could see myself doing a SUPER early rush at turn 30-40 which would probably catch someone by suprise, but whilst Genghis has an edge (+3 CS), the scout of the Cree really hasn´t. It is just a faster warrior.)
Nubia (very strong. Great UU, great variability, production bonus on mines. Fast districts. You name it, Nubia has it all)

So, we have a "real" choice between

Japan 

   

Japan is impressive. The Divine Wind is downright nasty on a sea map or even maybe a fractal map as it makes the most dangerous tiles for attacks on ports (the coast) +5 CS in your favour. Same with units standing on the coast. The hurricane strength is a peculiar oddity added with GS.

Now the Encampment, the Holy Site and the Theater Square at half strength is really something, add the district bonus adjacency bonus can be used for impressive metropolis as shown in PBEM 4.

The samurai is underwhelming as it is with most UUs which are not worth it, it needs to be built on its own and can not be upgraded into. The electronics factory comes way too late to be relevant atm.

I am tempted.

Next

Mali

   

I dislike map dependant bonuses like the Desert one with a passion. It never works out the way you want and in MP you can not reroll Tundra or other starts. And you do not want a mapmaker taking pity on your civ choice and adapting the terrain to your civ.

On paper Mali is impressive and granted Alhambram is making good use of them in our Duel. The problem is that Mali solves problems you get from playing Mali. You get gold, you get faith, you get your own district (which is strong, a unique district is always half price). But at the cost of production. You are supposed to buy stuff as Mali. Only the district really stands out with his + gold for Holy Sites.

I think they are underwhelming.

Scratch Mali. Nubia is back in play.

Nubia

   

Forget what I said. Despite me playing them in a Duel, Nubia is back in play. There are good reasons why I think Nubia is awesome.

First of all one of the best units in the early game the archer is a unique unit for Nubia. Extra movement, more strength and easier produced. Except for a war cart rush you are unrushable if you know what you are doing. Add +50% combat experience and you are in business. 

So what about the leader ability. A flat +20% production bonus to districts (nevermind the pyramid which is map depedant.) is okish, but a nice boost especially together with +1 production for mines. This is the best bonus you can have. You´re an early production powerhouse. There is a reason when confronted with all the civs I took Nubia in a duel.

So Japan or Nubia is the question. I think with fractal we go Japan, else Nubia.

[Woden]

Here is your start....



Edit:Added yields to screenshot

[TheArchduke]

I decided against Nubia, I play them already and I do not want to play a rush game but the long con.
Bad idea probably given my ineffective domestic development skills but there you go.

I will take Japan and hope that everyone has forgotten oledavy´s performance and thinks I know what I am doing.

[Woden]

Confirm Japan. Good Luck!

[TheArchduke]

Turn 1

Yep, this is a coast.

   

So I move the settler towards it.
We are at the northern edge of the map so the warrior moves south.

   

Settle next turn in place.

I would love to have Temple of Artemis in this capital, with China however unlikely to get it. I could use the food to make this a production powerhouse. First district will be Holy Site, I will go religion heavy this game.

   

Oppo Research, civ analysis, justification for Japan tomorrow. Tired today.

[TheArchduke]

Turn 2.

Starting a scout, I like to have one.

   

[TheArchduke]

Turn 3

I switch from the Rice to the Deer for 5 turn growth and 4 turn Scout. Good compromise.

   

[chumchu]

Why not Switch the places of the commercial and campus district to take advantage of the adjacency bonus to mountains? Am I missing something with the expansions?