The Germans

[Ision]

I have decided to do a review on each CIV. My intention is to encourage debate and hopefully to help others (and myself) in their game play.

The Germans

Along with the Romans, the Germans have a unique mystique with many players. This mystique is derived from Germanys world-renowned achievements in science, the arts and military prowess. Yet despite the mystique, Germany rarely ranks among CIV players ‘favorites’ and is quite often derided as a poor CIV choice. In my opinion the ‘verdict’ on Germany as a CIV is in many ways unjust and highly prejudiced by the generally poor AI handling of this CIV. In my experience Germany is among the most poorly played and underrated CIVs in the game. The reasons for this are primarily within the dynamics and design of CIV 3 and not the CIV itself. However, once the nuances of this CIV are figured out, playing as the Germans can be highly rewarding.

Germany is Militaristic and Scientific, a trait combo that shines the most in the late game – but can confuse a player at the start. A slow starter (slow early expansion), Germany often needs to put off its warmongering prowess until the Middle Ages after it has consolidated itself and built a smooth infrastructure. While perfectly capable of pulling off a decent early archer rush, Germany is not among the better militaristic Civs for this strat. Germany is built around the late game ‘rush’. A few well-planned early wars along with a well-built economy – can see a mid-sized Industrial Age Germany explode into a huge empire. The Germans can ‘catch-up’ better than most CIVs in the game. A common government route for Germany is the Republic to Communism path. The ‘balance of power player’ that seeks to build and war in equal amounts will find Germany to be an interesting choice. As a Culture/Space race option – the Germans, while not among the top – are no slouches. Small ‘bite-sized’ wars, followed by build rushes are a German specialty. The German trait combo needs patience and timing to pay off. Patience and long-range planning with this CIV are essential.

First and foremost among the criticisms of Germany is the late Industrial Age UU. This is an UNFAIR criticism that requires a player to be honest with himself to understand why. Most players play at levels that they can dominate – that being the case the typical CIV game is one that is over, in all but name, by early Industrial Age. The Panzer is a terrifying unit and among the greatest ‘game-breakers’ in the game. The Panzer is the ‘Chinese Rider’ of the Industrial age – a 16-8-3 ‘blitz ability’ 100 shield tank unit – the Panzer can steam roll and outgun all others of its time period by virtue of its ‘blitz’ ability. Blitz ability is simply the expenditure of a units movement points in exchange for another ‘round’ of attacks. ‘Blitz’ allows the Panzer to advance into enemy territory – and often attack in multiple rounds! That sole enemy infantry that usually survives with only 1 hit point against tanks will be hit yet again by the Panzer – storming cities and finishing off a weakened enemy is the Panzers specialty. This ability, like the Riders 1 extra movement point, is an enormous advantage in any game that still hangs in the balance.

Secondly, among the criticisms is the ‘late golden age’ argument. This argument is a FAIR one. The late industrial age UU means that Germanys only means to an Ancient or Middle Age ‘golden age’ is by wonder building. That said, a patient German player can selectively nail 1 Ancient Age wonder and a well timed Middle Age wonder to trigger his Golden Age. Nevertheless, this fact alone leaves Germany as a less than desirable ‘always at war choice’ and hampers even a standard warmonger approach.

Summary: The single greatest problem with this Civ is that it tends to be a ‘jack of all trades & king of none’ – the trait combo and late UU are good for peaceful building, but hamper the ‘degree’ that you can be peaceful – solid for warmongering yet hampered in the ‘degree’ to which you can pursue a heavy warmongering strat. As a warmonger Civ Germany is a solid 2nd tier Civ - a game-breaking UU, the militaristic trait boosting elites and cranking armies along with a science trait to keep that military up-to-date. As a Builder Civ Germany is once again a nice solid 2nd tier choice – a science trait for cheap Libraries and Universities along with a methodical and conservative military expansion makes them a good choice. Basically, if you like to play the extreme end of peace or war - Germany may not be for you, but if you enjoy the ebb and flow of changing strats, and the challenge of a balancing act – look no further.

Below are the links to my other Civ reviews:

The Persians
The Mongols
The Greeks
The Americans
The Egyptians
The Babylonians
The Romans
The Chinese

[vmxa1]

Glad you are still working on your opus. I think most have a problem with a civ with such a late UU. It is a great one, but has a small window of superiority.

I find an early UU more useful and at the highest level even an ancient UU to be better. The science trait is good, but if I am interested in military there are better choices.

[DrSpike]

I'm not sure about the AI handling them badly. They are the worst civ to start next to, since Bismarck is a royal pain in the butt and they start with the techs for archers and spearmen.

Whether or not they perform well as compared to the other AI usually hangs on whether their wars are successful. They can often end up a killer AI.

As for the human player on the lower levels you can leverage your starting techs and the militaristic trait nicely. On higher levels I also would not choose them.

[vmxa1]

Originally posted by Doc
I'm not sure about the AI handling them badly. They are the worst civ to start next to, since Bismarck is a royal pain in the butt and they start with the techs for archers and spearmen.

This is why you don't want them as your neighbor. They could start off with archers and spears, instead of warriors. The bonus units are suppose to be the best one that their tech allows.

[Ision]

vmxa1,

"Glad you are still working on your opus."

lol - thanks

"I find an early UU more useful and at the highest level even an ancient UU to be better."

I agree - completely - my point is that the German UU is dismissed as near usless because it is late - in this respect the unit is not being judged on its merits on an even playing field - but rather on the basis of the human having already 'locked' up his game. This is a flaw not with the unit itself - but with players playing at levels they dominate and/or a game design that begins to fail in the later stages of the game.

Yes, I could name a good 15 CIvs I would rather play at Deity than Germany - but I try not to use that criteria for these reviews. I try to keep in mind that the vast majority of CIV players are Regent-Monarch players.

Ision

[ErikM]

Actually, I think that for Emperor and below Germans are one of the best civs. Certainly not because of their UU - just great synergy between their traits.

Their combo of starting with spears and archers, and cheap barracks make them fit for early rushes like no other civ. So they are not as good in REXing as some others... Well hit those others early on and be glad that they have built so many cities for you to take. No other civ can assemble an intimidating attack force as fast as Germans due to cheap barracks, fast promotions, etc. And you don't have to worry about despotic Golden Age.

Initiating a GA at a convenient time is not really much of a problem since there are plenty of top priority wonders that fulfill these traits. Especially miltaristic. It's pretty hard not to build any of Zeus, Templar, Sun Tzu, Leo, Great Wall and I think there may be more. Scientific is a bit harder. Mausollos or GL will complete a scientific requirement, but GL is not all that great below Demi. Worst case scenario they have to build Newton which is later than optimal but not entirely too bad - just in time for factories.

And of course scientific gets them some cheap culture and great techs.

Panzers are just an icing on the cake, really.

On Demi+ they start to crap out because the usefulness of early rushes declines and it becomes more difficult to build wonders. But on Emperor or below they are really a great civ to play.

[Jon Shafer]

The biggest problem is with the game design.

A good player can have the game wrapped up at any level by the time their UU comes around. This goes for any difficulty level. You almost never see a human player "limping along" in a game into the industrial age.

[Solomwi]

Good work, Ision.

Lately, I've been addicted to the Germans, so I wanted to share a few random thoughts. My first full game with them (Monarch), I triggered a democratic GA in a fully developed empire and was simply blown away. It would be very hard not to sew the game up with such a GA. You're right that it's very easy at any point to build up a strong attacking force, which fits well with my warmongering style.

By the time Motorized Trans. comes around, I'm usually in the tech lead, and I always play my games well into the modern age, which means a pretty large window of opportunity for Panzers.

Because of the scientific trait and late UU, they play very well on huge maps, where the game is more likely to be in doubt later on.

Of course, you forgot the best part about playing as Germany. You know you won't start out next to them.

[Tzeentch]

I really like this project of evaluating each civ - can't wait to see the next one!

However, I have noticed that each civ you've listed as 'top tier' so far has had the scientific trait... perhaps this is a bit of a personal bias? After all, I wouldn't say the scientific trait is the 'best' trait...

[Ision]

However, I have noticed that each civ you've listed as 'top tier' so far has had the scientific trait... perhaps this is a bit of a personal bias?

no bias at all - I have only reviewed 4 scientific CIVs and there are 9 in the game. also Germany is scientific and I did not rate them 1st tier.

After all, I wouldn't say the scientific trait is the 'best' trait...

There is no 'best' trait - so if you prefer science over others that is NOT a bias - it is a'preference'. By the way, my favorite CIVs tend to have 'expansionist' or 'milteristic' as one of their traits - so if you want to check up on me for bias - keep a close watch on my reviews for these traits.

Ision

[Krill]

Ision, which civ are you planning to review next? Could you please take requests from you loyal fans

[Ision]

lol - okay maybe i will take request - BUT - the agricultural Civs WILL be done last - no matter what.

Ision

[Krill]

Damn, and I wanted the Maya

Ok, then, could you Carthage?

Sod the militeristic trait. These Numidian Merceneries get promoted 'cos no one can kill them. Beautiful

[ducki]

Of course, you forgot the best part about playing as Germany. You know you won't start out next to them.

Man, that is so true! I dread any time I see blue borders so much, it makes me twitch.


Hey! Where'd that cool little badge thingy next to my avatar come from? Edit: Nevermind. I'm a dummy.

[Aqualung71]

Originally posted by ducki

Man, that is so true! I dread any time I see blue borders so much, it makes me twitch. [/size]

I see ducki, so you starting us out next to them in a game you knew wouldn't be playing was simply a thought of pure evil and malice on your part.

[Paddy]

thanks for this

[planetfall]

Since Ision double posted on cfan and I missed this posting on poly.
Here is the link to a strategy guide for playing Germany.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showth...threadid=83277

BTW, I totally agreed with Ision, Germany is a Tier 2 civ and not Tier 1.


I would appreciate comments, suggestions.

Thanks

PF

[Daddy-O]

bump

[planetfall]

Don't expect any more replies from Ision. He has retired from the civ community as civ has lost his interest in comparison to other games.

PF