Devel's Workshop III - Surviving Sub-Par Starts

[Jawa Jocky]

Originally posted by Vulcanis
I don't understand why people always seem to hate flood plains starts? they give a little negative health, but they are great for early growth and commerce(if you get pottery fast)

I had a similar start. My 1st thought was look at all that gold. Then i founded my city. At size one i was already negative 2 on health

It would be a sweet spot later on with some health helping resources, but for a starter it's definitly a spot you want to move (atleast partially) out of.

[JoeCW]

Ok game 4 jus gives me horrible flashbacks to Aeson's so cold map generator. It looks like it'd be a OCC game for a nice chunk of the early goin and I never particularly liked OCC. Oh well I voted 3, run of the mill crappy seems to me something to learn before you deal with horridly crappy, but anyway thats jus my thoughts on it.

[snafuc4]

Originally posted by JoeCW
Ok game 4 jus gives me horrible flashbacks to Aeson's so cold map generator.

I thought that when it popped up.. but this isn't OCC - no unlimited National Wonders here!

[Vulcanis]

I played that 4th game out a little...it really sucks...won't say too much other than from my skills, it is quite the unwinnable start

[couerdelion]

I got a LOVELY start yesterday. Randomly given Huayna Capac’s Incas with a river/lake start. Apart from the lake (though I don’t start with fishing), every tile was grass/plains with or without hills. About 75% of this was forested. Within the fat cross, only two river tiles are not covered by forest and I got one flock of sheep.

I would have thought of saving the start but I decided that the whole position was almost certainly going to turn into a fairly standard Quecha rush

[safetake]

Is this thread dead? Is Vel going to post a game explaining what to do with a bad start? Why am I only asking questions? Is this really my first post? Will it be my last? Who knows?

[Swiss Pauli]

Originally posted by safetake
Is this thread dead? Is Vel going to post a game explaining what to do with a bad start? Why am I only asking questions? Is this really my first post? Will it be my last? Who knows?

I think Vel is working on them now. And probably doing all of them. And winning.

[PJL]

Just started a new game as Qui Shi Huang. Archipalego/archilpalego map, Prince difficulty and marathon speed, and have this as a sub-par start (the pic doesn't look to bad, but it gets a lot worse.

[mutax2003]

I played this start till 1 AD. Here is what I did:

Spoiler:

My research path was fishing-> masonary->sailing->bronze working, chop rushed the great lighthouse and the great library. I have met the neighbors, the Japanese and the Romans. I converted to Toku's hinduism, even though I discovered confucianism, so that I can get open border. I am slightly ahead in techs and #1 in GNP. Right now, my goal is to reach currency, then start trading tech with Toku for techs and golds. Attached is the save.

By the way, where do I download the 4th game from Vel's opening post? For anyone who wants typical challenging starts, you should try highland map with ridgeline setting.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by OzzyKP
Why does the jungle look all funky, and why is there jungle on desert tiles?

Shaders were switched off.

[wardhali]

first off get well soon vel

second, bump

third, i have seen two starts similar to game 4, but the AI had them.
one on large, other on huge. i tink i have played out maybe 3 games to th epoint where i can see these stards, will post screenies if i can find them.

[wardhali]

here it is

[Tokyo Sexwale]

I always find starts with low production more difficult than those with low food. There's one scenario called "Planet" (don't know why) that starts you off with 1 Fish and then just a whole lot of grassland and forest. The forest is good for chopping, but on Monarch and above I've never got off to a good start on this game. Once the forest is gone for a library or the Oracle, you're stuck with a fat city that takes forever to build things. I think you need at least 2 or 3 hills to have a good game at higher levels.

[SebP]

Your avatar suggests you did play Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. You don't recognize that map?

[snafuc4]

Vel, I know you're just coming out of convalescence, & that I have a vested interest here, but /please/ post at least some of your notes on this lot - surely Warlords doesn't make /that/ much difference when faced with starts like these?

PPPPPlleeeease!