CS Slingshot without really trying

[rjmatsleepers]

I had convinced myself that the CS slingshot was not possible at Emperor level. I found it difficult enough to be first to complete the Oracle, without slowing things down in order to have discovered Code of Laws. But I was not doing very well and in my latest game I decided to change my strategy. I decided I would choose Alphabet as my free tech from the Oracle in order to get the Great Library sooner than I normally do. Since I was going for Literature, I researched Polytheism earlier than I normally do. Mirabili Dictu, my first Great Prophet offered me Code of Laws. The following turn I completed the Oracle and could choose CS. I had managed my first sling shot .

It's a funny old game.

RJM at Sleeper's

[gus_smedstad]

There's a thread here on using a Great Prophet instead of the Oracle to get Civil Service:

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=147732

However, I'm interested in what you did. How did you generate the Great People points to get your Prophet? Stonehenge, or an early religion and a temple? Which civilization / leader did you use? Were you Philosophical?

- Gus

[couerdelion]

Nice work. I would tend to view the slingshot as a little better than 50:50 at Emperor level, depending on your situation starting. With a financial leader and a good match between free techs and resources, it’s a very good shot you have. Philosophical leaders are also a good bonus for the CS slingshot because of the speed at which the academy is in operation thus accelerating CoL.

Interesting that your prophet offered CoL. You mentioned that you had Polytheism and I would have thought that the offer would have been the cheapest religious tech around (ie Mono)

[The_Paladin]

Originally posted by couerdelion
Interesting that your prophet offered CoL. You mentioned that you had Polytheism and I would have thought that the offer would have been the cheapest religious tech around (ie Mono)

The trick here is that while rjmatsleepers had polytheism, the next religious tech available, monotheism, also requires masonry. Since a prophet will not give you masonry, he cannot give you monotheism. Thus he will give you code of laws, if it is available.

[rjmatsleepers]

Originally posted by gus_smedstad
There's a thread here on using a Great Prophet instead of the Oracle to get Civil Service:

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=147732

However, I'm interested in what you did. How did you generate the Great People points to get your Prophet? Stonehenge, or an early religion and a temple? Which civilization / leader did you use? Were you Philosophical?

- Gus

I got the GP points from Stonehenge + philosophical trait. In that game I played as Elizabeth I (of England) but I've since repeated the trick with Saladin.

The problem is that you have little choice about techs to research or what to build in your city. You can get to bureaucracy quite early, but you have virtually no defence, only 1 city and no worker to improve the land. Is it worth it? I'm not sure!

RJM at Sleeper's