The Escapist Plays: Civilization V (MOAR PLAYERS PLS)

[Doc Gnosis]

In truth, you'll need to think about discovering Iron Working. If you can reveal Iron sources, it can help in discerning the next possible spots for a new city west from Onondaga. Sailing would come next - though I'd recommend increasing the population or discovering Writing.

Priority list for technologies:

Iron Working
Writing
Sailing

On another note, you may want to consider building roads connecting the city states to Onondaga. The wealth the city states generate will negate the expenses in maintaining the roads... hopefully. As for the Greeks, my paranoia insists that the they'll eventually go to war against the Iroquis; preventing it would likely mean surrendering Osininka or being attentive to Greece's needs - which are only short-term solutions in truth. My recommendation: develop an army when you can.

As for the barbarians in the north, the warrior is well and truly lost; there's no tangible way of saving it. The scout however can be salvaged. My recommendation, have the warrior enact the coup de grace on the encampment, while having your scout retreat inland. If the triremes do not attack the warrior, have him do the same.

Addendum: You may want to consult the Military adviser on the Greeks' army.

 

[lacktheknack]

Taking Doc Gnosis' advice here, our soldiers Kamikaze the barbarian camp - and defeat it!

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800499766329/687EEBAA2E93C283B6A02CC2D9E543208DDBEE03/

...And they die horribly. At least the scouts escaped!

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800499768790/254CA7F4DA1E7CCBF9694B2C532B86718BDB34D0/

Researching sailing. Those pearls will be handy, and we aren't making a new settler for a bit.

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800499771094/6EB38AC8631FF23B030EA4F9DB9DC08B778BAD81/

Ugh, hoplites.

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800499774977/41DD453EEEE572583199DB7A4B83268337AB7E23/

Let's take out that ship. Maybe it'll make the hoplites think twice.


http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800499767489/99C0B8CC7F76DB71E005F0760447F2233C20085E/

Oh Lawd. How do we approach this? Ignore it, or take them up on it when we have an army?

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800499777214/F30154090E4E8E0C7718F991917E84095CA0B2AF/

Hey, there's a southern extension down here! Let's explore that a bit later!

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800499773127/5B8E531685CADB6F6D235068409D4A03B143E8F6/

That trireme is toast!

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800499765289/05E295515810894B2B726B640785B7BB4F834EDC/

Sailing has been researched, at we may need it right away.

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800499778795/9F4F263171A7EFABD9251287B3DB5AEB05E9C2EA/

Those workers are in the settlers' way. Should we wait for them to leave, or go back to Onondaga for the sailing ability and sail around them?

Also, what to research now? (We have a heavy recommendation for iron working from Doc Gnosis.)

 

[Mr Thin]

I reckon we take Genoa's offer up when we can; send the settlers back to THE SHADOW Onondonga and sail northward; and research Optics, because apparently land units cannot board ships without it.

 

[Eumersian]

I would ignore Genoa's offer. While it sounds tasty, it will likely get us into a war we can't afford.

I say wait a bit for the workers to move. We don't especially need optics right now, and the only immediate use we would get from it would be the embarking, and if it turns out we didn't need that, it might end up being a waste.

(Also, can't the settlers move onto the hill and then move straight through the workers to the forest? Yes? No?)

As for tech, I say writing. Science is fun?

Let's also ignore those ancient ruins for now.

 

[Doc Gnosis]

Apart from my recommendation to research Iron Working first and Writing second, third priority is between Optics and Mathematics - but if you choose that tech, you'll need to have discovered Iron Working first.

I'd have to agree with Eumersian. We'd require archers and powerful units to take Geneva for ourselves, which we do not have. For now ignore the request until you have at least two archers to spare and four melee units. Considering our situation, we cannot afford to let someone else beat us to the punch.

As for the new expansion south, take the settler back or send an archer to safeguard it; without that guard, the settler is will be lost. If you cannot move around the worker in Geneva, there's no real point in it being there, especially with the barbarian encampment nearby.

Finally consider the possibility that the Greek army may be mobilizing for war; I'd recommend dropping the Stonehenge project and Granary construction in favour of building more units. They will still be there the next time you return.

 

[RagnorakTres]

Iron Working is next research requirement, then Mathematics. Revealing Iron is immensely important in early game and siege units are important to have if a civ is getting testy with you (as the Greeks are) since, if they start anything, it's best to wipe them out rather than waiting for them to attack again. I recommended Sailing first since you should have a coastal city soon, but, in my mind at least, Sailing and Iron Working are damn near equal in importance, especially starting near the coast as you are.

Moving along, we seem to have a certain surplus of gold so, if it becomes absolutely necessary, you can ungarrison a unit from a city and then purchase a unit for instant gratification. It won't be able to move for a turn, but it is an instant unit.

Ignore Genoa, at least for now. Geneva is not well placed to be defended with the rest of our empire and it'll be a pain in the ass to try and take (as cities always are).

Playing paranoid, are we Doc? I agree that we should have more units, but cutting a Wonder construction project short is almost never a good idea since you will be beaten to the punch if you start Wonder construction late. If we're gonna be gearing up for war or even just defense, shift all the cities to a production focus now. Then, if war is declared, then cancel Stonehenge construction and work on units. Our capital is far enough to give us a few turns to churn out some units before the Greek hordes descend.

On that note, that Settler should be finding a good defensive spot (near some mountains, for preference), not easily approachable. Give them a maximum of two hexes to attack from. Hills are excellent for defense and production, so bear in mind that this city will be your production powerhouse once it's got some citizens. Once it's built, put it on a food focus and get a lot of citizens fast so that you're utilizing all the production around. Once it reaches 3 or 4 citizens, move it over to a production focus.

EDIT: I should mention that units attacking over a river suffer a massive penalty. Just something else to consider when constructing your defensive fallback city.

 

[Eumersian]

Another thing to consider is that we aren't making any money. If we start pumping out units like we've got a play-doh fun factory, the maintenance costs will make us incredibly poor.

Once we've got two cities connected to Onondaga, we'll probably be making enough money to support an army. Until then, hold back unit production, and keep on what we're doing.

 

[Drizzitdude]

the multiplayer is civ is crap. Half the time it doesn't work or freezes. Once you get near end game it takes to long for turns between players.

 

[Eumersian]

the multiplayer is civ is crap. Half the time it doesn't work or freezes. Once you get near end game it takes to long for turns between players.

But that's not what this thread is about. This is a think-tank game of Civilization V, not us playing multiplayer online. It's actually quite fun, if slow.

 

[Doc Gnosis]

Once we've got two cities connected to Onondaga, we'll probably be making enough money to support an army. Until then, hold back unit production, and keep on what we're doing.

Don't forget that we could also focus on connecting Geneva and Genoa to Onondaga as well; it's a simple enough task to have a worker construct a road between the capital and Genoa - not ignoring a needed guard for said worker. From there, it's child's play to build a road between the two City states, and even more so between Geneva and Osininka.

As for my suggestion to drop Stonehenge, we'll get compensation for at least trying to build it. If we're short on money, it wouldn't hurt us to keep the project on standby. Besides, there are other matters - and wonders - that we can attend to.

 

[Eumersian]

Once we've got two cities connected to Onondaga, we'll probably be making enough money to support an army. Until then, hold back unit production, and keep on what we're doing.

Don't forget that we could also focus on connecting Geneva and Genoa to Onondaga as well; it's a simple enough task to have a worker construct a road between the capital and Genoa - not ignoring a needed guard for said worker. From there, it's child's play to build a road between the two City states, and even more so between Geneva and Osininka.

Connecting city-states makes a trade route? I had no idea, and now I feel foolish?D:

 

[lacktheknack]

Once we've got two cities connected to Onondaga, we'll probably be making enough money to support an army. Until then, hold back unit production, and keep on what we're doing.

Don't forget that we could also focus on connecting Geneva and Genoa to Onondaga as well; it's a simple enough task to have a worker construct a road between the capital and Genoa - not ignoring a needed guard for said worker. From there, it's child's play to build a road between the two City states, and even more so between Geneva and Osininka.

Connecting city-states makes a trade route? I had no idea, and now I feel foolish?D:

Actually, I don't think it does.

The road our workers are building goes past Genoa, and nothing has happened...

 

[Eumersian]

Once we've got two cities connected to Onondaga, we'll probably be making enough money to support an army. Until then, hold back unit production, and keep on what we're doing.

Don't forget that we could also focus on connecting Geneva and Genoa to Onondaga as well; it's a simple enough task to have a worker construct a road between the capital and Genoa - not ignoring a needed guard for said worker. From there, it's child's play to build a road between the two City states, and even more so between Geneva and Osininka.

Connecting city-states makes a trade route? I had no idea, and now I feel foolish?D:

Actually, I don't think it does.

The road our workers are building goes past Genoa, and nothing has happened...

Well then?that's too bad. We're really going to need these trade routes, because we probably won't be able to build marketplaces for some time.

 

[Doc Gnosis]

Actually, I don't think it does.

The road our workers are building goes past Genoa, and nothing has happened...

True, but I don't see any road from Onondaga. I know that the Iroquois can treat forests as roads, but I can't see a way that makes it useful.

Of course it may not be working on account of Genoa not being friends with the Iroquois.

 

[lacktheknack]

Two votes to keep Stonehenge/Granary to one against. Sorry, Doc, but we aren't at war QUITE yet. (Plus, the cultural boost is kinda needed here.)

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800519078413/9E50DB88B77BC2EA7DBA1CBA12E7646C0AACA67D/

Our settlers will try to run through Geneva's territory at first chance. The barbarian camp is far away enough that the barbarians will probably invade Genoa first.

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800519073965/9A482979C9B8235F6927CA24672E08583A82B596/

The act of focusing on production cuts the build time for the granary from fifteen turns to four... but it also put Osininka into starvation. This should be okay, the granary contributes two food upon being built.

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800519069025/09D7AFD464401D67D242253382B212F96C5C584B/

Oh, balls!

Withdrawing workers into the city. Here's hoping the archers stay away... Unfortunately, due to positioning, our city can inflict very little damage on them. They should attack the hoplites first, anyways...

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800519082922/D4274ACC79D79C6580CCA636E162E8C3522F2BAE/

DAMN.

On a better note,

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800519071388/93F8F0B264F0BDC84B5EB61196DC843FD8B78CBF/

Our settlers got through! Let's get them up to the scouts... the northern shore on tile away from the ex-barbarian camp should do fine for a city site. It's on a hill, surrounded by forests and water, and can still reach the pearls.

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800519080427/25BDB183AC4D53840D88F64963BDDCAF59B00BD6/

That tile. Any objections?

Back to the tragedy in Osininka...
http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800519060168/556FB29414AD6ABD74886ADDA6B8221E1FFDD019/

They pillaged our goldmine! Now we have to fix it!

Thankfully, upon seeing that they're trying to attack a freaking CITY, the archers have turned their attention to the hoplites...

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800519064685/A345809F0A6110281F82ADEB710B1D8B4159C47E/

...So that we could finish them off! (Image missing)

Also, Osininka is done with its granary. What should we build/train next?

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/540649800519066717/89E634A0BDC42360F354784FC22A62185DD769E5/

Two more things... should the worker go fix that goldmine? (More production!) Also, seeing how we're losing money, and seeing how roads are really expensive, we can do one of three things:

A. Build roads to Geneva, where the lovely Iroquois bonus of "Trade Routes Through Jungles and Forests" should kick in (and hopefully get us a big boost of gold),

B. Stop until we have more funds, or

C. Remove roads to release maintenance.

(Personally, I would go for A. Trade routes are lovely things to have.)

 

[lacktheknack]

Actually, I don't think it does.

The road our workers are building goes past Genoa, and nothing has happened...

True, but I don't see any road from Onondaga. I know that the Iroquois can treat forests as roads, but I can't see a way that makes it useful.

Of course it may not be working on account of Genoa not being friends with the Iroquois.

If you look REEEEEEALLY closely at the first photo in the above update, you'll see that there's a road running right by Genoa (one tile over). That would normally make a connection, as cities are considered tile roads.

You may be right in that it's just them not trusting us enough.

 

[Bohemian Waltz]

Spoiler: My advice

I agree both Iron Working and Writing are important, but I'm of the opinion Writing is more important as far as priorities. As the Iroquois your unit that replaces the swordsman is Mohawk warrior(which doesn't require a source of Iron) thus bumping it's priority down a little bit. Unless you're planning on building Mohawk warriors very soon, which I wouldn't recommend or you're planning on expanding between the lag-time (settler construction time + whatever is left in queue 'this could easily be over research time of writing') between Writing & Iron Working there's is practically no reason to get Iron Working before Writing.

Writing allows you to draw up open borders agreements with other civs, which is both good in getting them to like you as well as a useful money making tool. Snag that and sell one way open borders with everyone you know that isn't close enough to you to make use of it (ie not Alexander). The AI will usually trade 50 gold or so for open borders one way which can add up and be very steady useful extra source of gold. Writing also opens up the prospects for building the great library which can boost your science and give you more importantly a free technology which is fantastic.

If you're happiness isn't an issue I'd also recommend selling your luxuries/horses that won't dip your happiness into unhappy as the extra happiness isn't very useful and the gold (approximately 200-300) is much more useful early game. Don't sell horses to Alexander, but fleece your spices/gold to him if you can't find anyone to take it off your hands. At the earliest opportunity. Arguably selling a luxury to Alexander will might make him like you or at the very least provide for very real consequences for declaring war on you (it will also likely drain his treasury which is a good thing).

As for trade networks your cities are connected via trade networks without roads in forests that is within your borders via the Iroquois special ability. Make use of that by buying up tiles between both your cities as the territory is cheaper than road maintenance in the long run and serves as a tactical impediment towards an opponents invasion if there are no roads built on it. Then build roads in-between. Try and settle reasonably close to your capital from now on to make road building useless.

My votes:
-Go for Writing after Sailing.
-Talk to every other civ and pick any available diplomatic options that will make you their friends that doesn't cost anything. Once finished a few turns later assuming your friends with a large number of people denounce Alexander in order to make it clear you don't like him towards your friends which will impede them from trading/making friends with him.
-Sell your horses & luxuries off (if the latter won't throw you into unhappiness) try not to take less than 100 gold for the luxuries, but if you have excess happiness it's reasonably lower will do as the happiness isn't doing a whole hell of a lot for you.
-Finish Stonehedge and follow up with an archer and then a settler.

Edit:semi-Ninja'd by the update. *Spoilered for size*

 

[Eumersian]

Once we settle that city on the hill (good for defense, and a shorter road distance than if we settle on the plains right next to the pearls), we should buy the tile with the pearls. We have the money, and work boats are really cheap, so we will be able to get those pearls relatively quickly.

OK, now for normal voting.

-Osininka should build a circus. Because it costs nothing.
-Build a road to (whatever the next city is called).
-I'll also agree with Bohemian here. Talk to Pachacuti and see if we can make any helpful deals, like our horses for his money, or something.
-Keep Stonehenge on! It's got to be close to done, right?

 

[lacktheknack]

I agree both Iron Working and Writing are important, but I'm of the opinion Writing is more important as far as priorities. As the Iroquois your unit that replaces the swordsman is Mohawk warrior(which doesn't require a source of Iron) thus bumping it's priority down a little bit. Unless you're planning on building Mohawk warriors very soon, which I wouldn't recommend or you're planning on expanding between the lag-time (settler construction time + whatever is left in queue 'this could easily be over research time of writing') between Writing & Iron Working there's is practically no reason to get Iron Working before Writing.

Writing allows you to draw up open borders agreements with other civs, which is both good in getting them to like you as well as a useful money making tool. Snag that and sell one way open borders with everyone you know that isn't close enough to you to make use of it (ie not Alexander). The AI will usually trade 50 gold or so for open borders one way which can add up and be very steady useful extra source of gold. Writing also opens up the prospects for building the great library which can boost your science and give you more importantly a free technology which is fantastic.

If you're happiness isn't an issue I'd also recommend selling your luxuries/horses that won't dip your happiness into unhappy as the extra happiness isn't very useful and the gold (approximately 200-300) is much more useful early game. Don't sell horses to Alexander, but fleece your spices/gold to him if you can't find anyone to take it off your hands. At the earliest opportunity. Arguably selling a luxury to Alexander will might make him like you or at the very least provide for very real consequences for declaring war on you (it will also likely drain his treasury which is a good thing).

As for trade networks your cities are connected via trade networks without roads in forests via the Iroquois special ability. Make use of that by buying up tiles between both your cities as the territory is cheaper than road maintenance in the long run and serves as a tactical impediment towards an opponents invasion if there are no roads built on it. Then build roads in-between. Try and settle reasonably close to your capital from now on to make road building useless.

My votes:
-Go for Writing after Sailing.
-Talk to every other civ and pick any available diplomatic options that will make you their friends that doesn't cost anything. Once finished a few turns later assuming your friends with a large number of people denounce Alexander in order to make it clear you don't like him towards your friends which will impede them from trading/making friends with him.
-Sell your horses & luxuries off (if the latter won't throw you into unhappiness) don't take less than 120 gold for the luxuries.
-Finish Stonehedge and follow up with an archer and then a settler.

Edit:semi-Ninja'd by the update.

Your input will be used towards the next turn. Good insight.

Man, this gets WAY more interesting when more people enter the think-tank!

 

[lacktheknack]

-Keep Stonehenge on! It's got to be close to done, right?

Four turns.