[PB56] Lazteuq's Cool Facts about Space

[Lazteuq]

I totally agree. I think I've spent 2/3 of my total singleplayer time with CRE, because whenever I don't have it, having to build monuments just messes everything up. I guess that's the big incentive of Stonehenge, its like a low-quality 3rd trait CRE
On the other hand, on a map with 11 players, trying to get a stonehenge is sketchy: Risky if you don't totally commit to it, potentially crippling if you do totally commit to it.

[shallow_thought]

Byzantium, huh? Well, no-one ever got fired for choosing 12-str knights .

Seriously, it's a potentially strong pick that comes with a clear plan. Get to Guilds ahead of at least one neighbour, have iron and horses and enough build queues to have fun.

I think Gaspar and NobleHelium are playing Byz in PBEM 78; if you're able to do so their thread could be worth a read (if you haven't already).

The problem is perhaps getting to Guilds given the starting tech deficit and everyone being very clear that it's in their interest to stop you before it's too late. Personally, I'd focus more on that than worrying about synergies. Cataphracts in numbers are their own synergy, if I may mangle the language a bit. I suspect that there is something clever you can do with PHI and bulbs if you want; just don't ask me what the details might be ...

[Lazteuq]

I picked Sitting Bull (PHI/PRO).

The problem is perhaps getting to Guilds given the starting tech deficit and everyone being very clear that it's in their interest to stop you before it's too late.

I joined the bandwagon and picked a PRO leader. That should help with not getting crippled early in the game. Of course the trade routes are good, but the deterrent value of PRO why I chose it over FIN or CRE, with the cataphract pick painting a giant target on me. 

I'm stepping out of my comfort zone with a non-CRE leader (Jowy took CRE/PRO anyways). No complicated reason for PHI, I just want to play it, and I think I can make it work well enough. Maybe I'll get an early academy, maybe not. Maybe I'll build the Great Lighthouse and use the merchant to bulb Guilds!?!? Who knows... I just like specialists anyways.

I think El Grillo is the only IND leader. Being IND/PHI, I bet he will beeline Pyramids, and I don't plan on contesting that. I considered taking IND/PRO, but I don't want to be distracted by wonders.

I'm following Noble/Gaspar for sure, and also Miguelito/Rusten in PB54. Byzantium is trendy apparently.

[shallow_thought]

I'd forgotten about Mig/Rusten. Yeah, there are good reasons to pick Byz.

As for PRO, I absolutely agree on the extra defensive value for a civ that's pretty much going to have to come from behind. And IIRC all of CRE|EXP|IMP + PRO had gone, so PHI it is.

Of course, these traits do absolutely nothing for you until you get your first trade route, and even then PRO comes on line slowly, with PHI even later. You're going to have to scrape every hammer in the early game to keep up as best as possible. At least growing "tall" on a few cities is perhaps stronger with PHI than it would be otherwise; I suspect you may end up forced into that.

[superdeath]

I believe we have edit'd your start slightly. Nothing taken away, and you should like the addition

[Lazteuq]

It has begun!
Cool Space Fact #1: The lower atmosphere of the Sun is relatively cold at about 4000-6000 Kelvin. However, at slightly higher altitude, in the "corona", it is much hotter (about 1 million degrees). Scientists still aren't sure exactly why: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_co...ng_problem
The modified start:

I'm happy to see there is land north of the capitol. 1N of the elephants might be a good spot to share rice and clams with the capitol.
I think I'll send the scout in a sort of counterclockwise loop.

password is "ion"

[Lazteuq]

Space Fact #2: Above about 200km altitude, nitrogen is no longer the most common gas in Earth's atmosphere. Instead, atomic oxygen is dominant. This is partly because atomic oxygen is a lighter molecule, so it is less strongly held by Earth's gravity.
Turn 5:

Nothing very exciting. Haven't met anyone yet.
Agriculture finishes next turn, then I think I need to go Mining-> Bronze Working. Even then, its a bit late.
I just realized that we didn't establish a no-war period (unlike PB51), so someone could build an early warrior and take an undefended city. I don't think its very likely though.
Edit: With all that seafood, maybe I'll have to reconsider Fishing.

[Lazteuq]

I see the corner of Rome's borders to the East. It looks like about 11 tiles between cities. We don't have contact, and I'll try to keep it that way for as long as possible.
That's not just any Rome, of course it's Aggressive Rome. The player is Miguelito, who I think is significantly better than me. Also Miguelito is very aware of the meaning of a Byzantium pick from PB54. Concern level: HIGH. I think I'll be founding a lot of cities on hills.
Edit: The player is Mjmd. I got names confused.

[shallow_thought]

Sorry, did you mean west for Rome's direction? Unless I'm confused, that's the direction your scout is in.

Either way, mjmd was quite impressive in PB52, and Agg Rome are always a bit scary.

I'm assuming that silver/fish is an island. That does make a fishing-sailing push valuable, particularly as PRO. But with so many land food resources as well I don't know wether you'll end up wanting AH first. As you say, it's hard work getting all the techs you need as Byz. But that river valley running north looks tasty, if a little lacking in good hill plants.

[Lazteuq]

Yes, I meant West. Thanks for following along.
I messed around in Worldbuilder a bit and decided that fishing first is not bad. The increased food from working clams helps get the settler out slightly faster. Also the +2 commerce from working the clam is basically a +20% research increase. So I switched to Fishing. I'm hoping to avoid AH for a while. This probably means the second city will be north or south of the capitol, probably sharing corn or rice.
I hadn't thought about sailing yet, but I agree that silver/fish looks like an island. I think I'll want to settle the competitive spots on the mainland first though.