AU301 - Size Matters

[ZargonX]

Welcome to the Apolyton University, course 301: Size Matters!

Early expansion in CIV can be a tricky affair, with the risk of plummeting an economy into the virtual toilet, and leaving yourself exposed for your enemies to pick apart. This course will focus on the fine art of rapid early expansion, negotiating the razor edge of ruin and reward.

Students will be playing as Zara Yoqab of the Ethiopians, armed with the Creative and Organized traits to face the world.

The goal of the course is to expand as much as possible in the early game, as players are not allowed to take enemy cities for their own, or to raze and replace enemy cities. What you build in the early game will be all you have.

Students can select any difficulty level and speed they prefer for the course, though it is recommended to be played at Normal speed.

The course rules (no capture, no raze/replace) are, of course, up to the honor system, so we're counting on you to abide by them.

Good luck, and happy growing!

[EPW]

Are the grassland/floodplains intentional?

[Asmodeous]

One question. If a Civ takes one of your early cities, can you take that BACK? Or did you just lose it for eternity?

Me.

[snoopy369]

Zargon, are you going to do a civgroup news item for this or do you want me to? (PM me if you want me to and/or if you need to know how as I probably won't remember to check this thread)

[Asmodeous]

Hehehe. I just noticed the grass/flood. Holy crap that is a lot of food.

That CAN'T be on purpose.

Me.

[Virdrago]

Does the "no capture" rule include cities joining peacefully through culture or through the AP?

[Virdrago]

DP

[Virdrago]

triple post! Ugh!

[ZargonX]

Ack, no, those floodplains are not purposeful. I will correct that immediately.

[ZargonX]

Ok, the scenario file has been replaced with a proper, non-super-food version

[Asmodeous]

Also, I know you are not allowed to raze/capture, but are you allowed to raze them to make wars end faster so long as you leave them to allow the AI to resettle?

And what about capturing a city to give back at the end of the war? I mean, there are a good deal of angry people around.

Me.

[EPW]

Originally posted by ZargonX
Ok, the scenario file has been replaced with a proper, non-super-food version

[Virdrago]

Also, it won't open the file. So how do I get it to work?

[Vaugula]

Are we allowed to use Solver's patch?

[ZargonX]

Does the "no capture" rule include cities joining peacefully through culture or through the AP?

An interesting question. I would say that, within the spirit of the course, any accepting of cities that you didn't personally settle would be out.

[Palpster]

Is this for 3.03? Do I need any additional patches/mods?

[Blake]

These would be my "rulings":

Cities: You may NOT direct a unit to attack or move into a city founded by another player. Otherwise anything goes.

Solver's Patch: You MAY use it. Mention that you're using it. It's really a lot like using a different difficulty level.

[ZargonX]

Is this for 3.03? Do I need any additional patches/mods?

You do not need any additional mods to play.

[khearn]

What about barbarian cities? Can we at least raze them? Otherwise things could get really awkward.

Edit: I just noted Blake's ruling saying you can't attack a city owned "by another player". Should I assume that this means that barbs are fair game? Is it OK to keep a barb city, or should we only raze them?

[joncnunn]

I would think that if barb cities formed near you while your were still founding cities, you are founding cities way too slow considering the creative traight.

And if the barb cities are on the far side of an AIs civ empire, it would definately not be in the spirit to capture that city.

[khearn]

The barb city in question is just outside my borders at the moment, and in the middle of an area I'll likely expand into.

Don't read this spoiler if you are planning on playing, but haven't gotten past your initial exploration yet:

Spoiler:

There is a very large are in the middle of this map to expand into, , bigger than I've usually seen. I think ZargonX's intention was to give the player plenty of room to expand, but it also gives the barbs room.

I first noticed the barb city in 725BC, maybe I should have grabbed all available land by then, but if I had, I'd have no military to speak of. Given the pack of wolves running the AI civs, I don't think I'd survive much longer. Money hasn't been my problem so far, it's been fear of my neighbors.

[Blake]

Barbs are fair game.

[Arrian]

I patched to Solver's patch, but then I patched to 3.03... did I un-do the good of Solver's patch in the process?

-Arrian

[snoopy369]

I don't think that 3.03 replaces the dll, so not as far as I know.

[Arrian]

Thanks.

[LzPrst]

something weird here... i unzipped the savefile, but Civ cant see it. it is a regular load right?

[LzPrst]

it seems that the filename wasnt properly set, it was xxxx.CivBeyondSwordWBSave

while normally they're named xxx.CivBeyondSwordSave

without the WB between Sword and Save. i changed this, but then I get the message that the save is the wrong version. what's going on?

[LzPrst]

sorry. ignore that. I stfu'ed and read the faq....

[Theseus]

Just started. I haven't played that much BTS, and saw the "ass kicked" thread, so I'm playing at noble.

I've also started the League game, so I don;t know how long these'll take me.

Great job getting this going!!

-T

[Theseus]

SON OF BEETCH!!!!!

I'm reaching the end-game, and BTS is crashing.

(and I'm just starting my SEVENTH GA!!!!)