The Romans--Civ 4 on Easy Mode?

[Hayden]

I have started an Earth game on Monarch (2 above Noble) and started as the romans. I have concluded that they get the best start out of any Civ on the Earth map. Rome has an iron perched right next to it aswell as marble, several hills, a wheat, a fish and a clam I think and it absolutely cranks out the Praetorians. Combine that with a city I built in the area occupied by present day Spain and I had two huge production cities pumping out Praetorians which I used to more or less conquer all of Europe after a brief struggle with the Germans to my north. They certainly are powerful when combined with some catapults to get things started.

But I guess like all things in Civ, theres ways to cope with these units, just build as you say Axeman, fortify them and build walls, or put some catapults in your cities with collateral damage they can quickly make a marauding army look alot less.... marauding like.

Use a Praetorian rush on Diety level and I guarantee you will be alot less successful :P

[Footie Mad]

Call me crazy here but I think Praetorians can be countered even by a player without iron or copper. Using archers fortified in cities and having access to horses. They key being the mobility of horse archers, I have found mobility to be a very strong weapon in the early stages.

[khearn]

Originally posted by Trip
Praets don't get the normal 10% against city Sword bonus, it should be noted.

That seems like an odd design decision, considering that the Romans were very good at taking cities.

I'm guessing it was a play balance decision.

Keith

[Footie Mad]

Weren't praetorians known for their usefulness and strength in all different kind of battles? That's properly reflected in their high overall strength.

[BlackSeer]

I cant remember they were that hard in any games I meet them

I used axe/sword and mounted archer to counter and with a bit of defensive thinking when it comes to the battlefield itself they aint that hard to fight.