Land dominated maps are good for newbies

[Shaka II]

Originally posted by Tattila the Hun
How early? I managed to wipe out germans in a game, but the upkeep for the new cities bankrupted me, my army was disbanded and barbarians sacked my cities.

Is genocide the only answer?

That's happened to me too, before I understood about the need to get my cottages down early and my finances in good shape. In general, don't overextend and end the war soon if war weariness starts to restrict growth. Make war in discrete campaigns, build, research, and get ready for the next campaign.

In the present game, I only built three cities, but no worries, I saw my copper and had three elephants beside my river at Rome. So the obvious thing to do was have the AI build my cities, and it did a wonderful job. I first overtook the Chinese, then was invited by Capac to take on the Americans, so I saw it is a golden opportunity to take 1/2 of their empire and to get on the good side of Capac. But after that came a long period of building and research, going for the MT path, whereby I conquered the Spanish and German empires. Forbidden palace is in Bejing. Beautiful Washington, Madrid, and Berlin, are also mine along with the rest of their empires.

Now, its the final battle with Asoka to gain domination. Capac and I will hopefully never have to fight, at least I hope not, since my domination should be assured after I take India.

[Alexander's Horse]

Originally posted by Mao
Wait, I thought your kids were like 8???

The third one started playing civ 3 at 4 years old - he had an interesting playing style - I saw one map covered with archers about 25 of them in one corner of his civ. I asked him why and he said "because blue keep annoying me".

[Saurus]

I think it is the other way aroun actually - watermaps gives an edge to the human player, not the A.I.

Though difficult for a builderminded player, I really love pangea however.. I play at Monarch and it always a great challenge. You are under constant pressure and find yourself in situations where you somehow just need to please everyone but realizing it's not possible! When playing continents it is easier to ignore the guys on the other edge of the world basicaly. On pangea, everyone and everything need to be taken into account all the time. The diplomatic setting here is intense and the new intelligent diplo-system really gets to shine here.
I love it! Even if I always get my ass kicked...

[Shaka II]

Originally posted by Saurus
I think it is the other way aroun actually - watermaps gives an edge to the human player, not the A.I.

This is my understanding. The AI doesn't know how to play water maps as well as humans. Maybe a level easier?

Originally posted by Saurus
Though difficult for a builderminded player, I really love pangea however.. I play at Monarch and it always a great challenge. You are under constant pressure and find yourself in situations where you somehow just need to please everyone but realizing it's not possible! When playing continents it is easier to ignore the guys on the other edge of the world basicaly. On pangea, everyone and everything need to be taken into account all the time. The diplomatic setting here is intense and the new intelligent diplo-system really gets to shine here.
I love it! Even if I always get my ass kicked...

Well said! That's why I like pangea so much. There's so much action and diplomacy is critical to surviving. CivIV is great, though I do miss that CivII diplomacy screen where the AI tells you "I won't be a part of your Machiavellian plans".

AI Diplomacy is what makes Civ better than any other strategy game.

[Enigma_Nova]

Any map favors the player with experience and skill.
Oh, and ... A Computer-game player has Children? Isn't that against some law of the universe or something?

[The Emperor Fabulous]

There's a difference between a Computer-game player and a Computer Gamer...just like there's a difference between a person who plays politics and a politician

[Enigma_Nova]

Oh, that makes sense. Thanks Fabulous.