[PB70] Lurking under the tables

[Miguelito]

You can easily be behind and first to astro with a bulb If the other player doesn't. Ask civac and PB59
But I wouldn't agree with gallons don't conquer. As Krill said they bind forces. They're also often by far the fastest way to swallow a weakened/ backwards target* without others having time to interfere. There are lots of examples, pb59 Lazteuq/GKC and Mjmd/me, any Finharry game... it's hardly niche.

China is scooter/Ginger

* and you only ever conquer those of course

[civac2]

They are good against a much weaker target. I used them against Elkad in that way in PB59. But that's not something I expect to see in this game. Any player who would fall far behind would get devoured by his neighbours here. Moreover, the galleon invader would face the same problem of his expeditionary force being sandwiched between two powers and relying on sea-based logistics.

Galleons are also good at flanking and supporting a land invasion. But not as good as having the next generation of land warfare.

[Commodore]

The speed this map is going to enable is staggering. I think it's going to be an incredibly fast game.

[Krill]

They are good against a much weaker target. I used them against Elkad in that way in PB59. But that's not something I expect to see in this game. Any player who would fall far behind would get devoured by his neighbours here. Moreover, the galleon invader would face the same problem of his expeditionary force being sandwiched between two powers and relying on sea-based logistics.

Galleons are also good at flanking and supporting a land invasion. But not as good as having the next generation of land warfare.

It's a 6 player game though, so you only need to eat ont person and have the best GNP and most games will end via concession. Perhaps some players get bogged down in a late classical to early medieval war, maybe not, but if they do I suspect the an Astro bulb will make that team the tech leader.

All that said: I agree that on this map galleons would be used to flank the player either north or south whilst a stack approaches via land and is either an anvil or a sledgehammer, depending on what the defender does. But as this will be a fast map, I truly wonder if players will do to get the unit numbers (again, I suspect that if this turns into a total peace and NAP-fest once one player starts powering up everyother player is going to whip into the ground in reply.

[civac2]

Charriu refusing to settle cities feels wrong but with pre-negioated borders it may be clever.

[Miguelito]

Starting a GS or two early on to settle is fun and quirky, but building a <t50 library in a city without granary because it makes 2.5 beakers at 100% and without intention to run scientists there is just wilfully stepping into one of the most well established noob traps.

[Amicalola]

It could work out well, if his prediction is accurate and the others run themselves into the ground. I remember in PB60 that's what happened, long-term we got the most land but it was because we had the best economy, not because we had the best micro or expansion traits. It also (fwiw) pops borders. Of course, if the others don't do that, it's a disaster yeah.

I think when the map is this lush, it is easy to outpace your gpt with maintenance without realising, a noob trap at the other end of the same spectrum.

[Miguelito]

Yes, it's a balance that has to be achieved, and I'm not even against the running scientists to settle early GS part, although I certainly wouldn't play it like that. But a very early library just because the city has a goldmine is silly, and just pulls the balance all the way down on the other edge.
Also he's Pericles, border pops don't count (and if he weren't Cre, 3 libraries would be really indefensible).
In fact I think that with the goldmines and lots of river economic collapse should be possible to advert rather easily. Just need to make a stop to get some extra workers for all the floodplains cottages.

[Miguelito]

sd's jungle island seems a bit impractical, but maybe it is a good approach to settle the contested islands first and then fill up your mainland zone? Because for that you can probably arrange a decent border via diplo, while I this B&B the islands are first come, first serve.

[Tarkeel]

The jungle island shouldn't be contested unless you leave them for very late. Interesting too see him plant on the banana, didn't think anyone would go for that option. It should be a fine Moai though.