[PB75 Spoiler] Ginger and Civac's Outside Context Problem

[Ginger*]

Let it be known that my chin has been thoroughly stroked analyzing the changes 

Large map size is a change though. Probably means no BW revolt on settler travel unless we go China. 
Ottomans still fun, although that granary first sim probably won't make the cut if pottery tech doesn't line up with worker. Since I'm leaving for Europe tomorrow and won't have my laptop, it's looking like the spreadsheets and early micro plan will be Civac's

[Tarkeel]

Inquiring minds wants to know what's on your selection shortlist. Is it still Ottomans?

[Ginger*]

China had a significantly faster settler but only if we kept Cap at size 2. We also tested Fish/Mine (likely Rome bc what else lol), using the same build plan as EXP (working plains hill after worker until corn farm completion), but instead of granary, building a work boat, and the results were uninspiring. Worker loses a lot of turns with no ability to road or precottage, and chopping comes in only after the first settler.

So EXP ottomans is what we’ll play. Civac is bullish on Washington for the CHA whip synergy, and I don’t disagree at all, but I am tempted by CRE bc it’s fun in singleplayer and I never got to play it in a pitboss. Pacal is also on the radar because although I really dislike FIN*, FIN is synergistic with both our super early cottages and my preferred play style of maxing out city size to happy cap whenever possible.

Unlike Imperialistic, which I don’t like bc I think it’s weak, FIN upsets me because of the singular control it exerts on your build decisions. There’s little room for creative expression in your empire design when your best choice is cottaging ad nauseam

[Tarkeel]

All three of those sounds like good options, and while I agree that FIN is on the boring side, it's also undeniably strong.

[Ginger*]

Agreed Tarkeel
With Zulu, Egypt and now Rome on the field, Shaka is looking more and more attractive

[Ginger*]

So, I ended up picking Washington on Civac's advice. I have to agree with him that going worker->granary probably begs additional whip flexibility. Although now I'm gonna have to pick CRE in another game to satisfy my curiosity

Trait breakdown:
3 CHA
3 AGG
2 IND
2 PHI
2 IMP
2 CRE
2 ORG
1 SPI
1 FIN

Notable themes: Asoka and Nebu from Gav and Mjmd double down on medieval/renaissance scaling, Nauf can make an early engineer or two with PHI America. A whole lot of AGG picks from the second tier of players spices things up. And it's not Civ mp if at least one person does not pick FIN. My bet on a volatile game and early game traits was partially vindicated by the sea of Agg and Cha, but it seems Gav and Mjmd looked at the large map and bet on the other horse instead.

[Amicalola]

Boo for no Sury of Ottomans. That's one of my dream combos.

[civac2]

Boo for no Sury of Ottomans. That's one of my dream combos.

The CHA gamble looking very good so far.





Sickening amounts of food without any happiness for the burgenoning population. Though of course it is possible there are furry and/or big gray critters living just over the next hill.

Ginger placed those signs before the culture expansion. Speaking of Ginger, he went off on one of his dreaded surprise trips. We shall see if he resurfaces this time.

[Ginger*]

I will I will return haha

Creative looks incredible too :P

[Tarkeel]

Any early dot-thoughts? That fish looks like something I'd have placed.