Which Civ, Leader and Why?

[polarnomad]

Hi all,

The thing about CivIV that I am most curious about is why people choose certain civs and leaders over others. At first I thought I would go with the Aztecs (when I finally get my hands on the game) but now I'm not so sure. So I thought perhaps a thread describing your preferences for Civ/Leader would be nice for anyone starting to play for the first time, or for someone curious about shifting from the civ they usually play to a new one.

So go ahead, share your love for your civ of choice!

polarnomad

[proviisori]

I will maybe go with Gandhi for my first game.

I like the fact that Indian UU practically never obsoletes. With Gandhi you can easilly get a early religion and do some serious wonder whoring.

(I don't have the game yet)

[polarnomad]

The Indian UU is fast worker, right? Gandhi is spiritual and industrious?

Also, to clarify my initial post, I was wondering what people prefer to play in general, not necessarily just for their first game. There already is another thread for that.

[krytonix]

So far I like playing the Germans with Frederick. Creativity allows all my new towns to produce culture from the get go (providing me with solid early borders), while Philosophy doubles my great person rate which I try to get going as early as possible with specialists.

[polarnomad]

Do you try to create alot of Great Artists then, and go an all out cultural expansion route?

[Fried-Psitalon]

Actually, for strict efficiency, you should go Aggressive/Vassal and Org. Rel OR go Aggressive/Bureac/Theocracy.

Using both moves you from 6xp to 8, which, granted, is a step closer to level 3... but most units in major engagements will make that step to 10 either way, or die. More efficient to have a massive production center with 6xp troops or a civ-wide building initiative.

And Flamer.. come check out the ladder. Serious games without quitters = good!

(And I use Gandhi a lot in MP, btw.)

[proviisori]

Originally posted by polarnomad
The Indian UU is fast worker, right? Gandhi is spiritual and industrious?

That's right! I think I will play a lot of games as Gandhi. I consider myself being a builder ... in a SP at least.

In MP I will try other civs. After all builder-strategy might not be the best for that type of games. I'm really looking forward for some MP action as I have never a MP civ game.

[ThaddeusAlexander]

So far I've found Louis and Catherine the best for my playstyle, which is mostly cultural/science domination. I've tried Frederick, but I've found the faster wonder building of Louis and the heap of extra cash with Catherine a major boost.

I think Industrious is a bit better than Financial for my playstyle ... however, I've found the Cossack a much better UU than the musketeer, and much like in Civ3, I tend to wait on declaring war until I have cavalry (or maybe knights if I have a close aggressor).

-Alex

[jones]

Napoleon so far. Industrious means many of the wonders early on as long as you get stone, and Aggressive + Theocracy + Vassalage = pwnage

[Dominae]

No one likes the Philosophers yet?!

[Rubychaser]

Dominae, I do not have the game at this time, but I am very curious. Are there many philosophers?

[Arnelos]

Washington.

Mostly for sentimental value; but also for traits.

I haven't gotten to the point where I've figured out which civs/leaders are best for my playstyle.

[proviisori]

Originally posted by Fried-Psitalon

And Flamer.. come check out the ladder. Serious games without quitters = good!

(And I use Gandhi a lot in MP, btw.)

Thanks for the hint, Fried-Psi. Me and my two brothers have been civ-freaks from the first game in series to this one. We will have lots of bloody battles when we start our MP sessions.

There is no brotherly love when we are fighting for global domination!!!



One question: is builder/peaceful strategy to consider in MP?

(waiting for 4. nov)

[Fried-Psitalon]

It can be quite potent; as long as you are ready to counterattack when an assault comes in.

My next article (which I'll be publishing tomorrow) actually talks at length about the merits of each leader in various situation; sort of a breakdown, civ-leader by civ-leader.

[krytonix]

Originally posted by polarnomad
Do you try to create alot of Great Artists then, and go an all out cultural expansion route?

I'm still figuring out my strategy beyond what i stated before. I definitely have been going the route of culture/science building (so far war doesn't seem worth it if i can avoid it until later on... then again, maybe that's because i went Creative/Philosophical!). I definitely think great people will be key to many strategies though, it will just take some time for everyone to figure out how to build and use them efficiently.