should I try a marathon game?

[D4everman]

Has anyone tried a marathon game? I'm wondering about it, thinking of trying one. I just finished an epic game, huge map, noble level and it went a bit too fast for me. The thing is once you reach the modern era, the only thing to do is race for the spaceship win. (well, for me at least)

In my last game I shared a continent with the americans. (I was the malinese). The americans were, to be blunt, in my way. But I knew that I couldn't really destroy all of them until I had a superior force. That came by the time cavalry came about. But by the time I had built up enough units for an attack (and got my infrastucture and defending units ready for their counter-attack) it was too close to the modern age. Yeah, I could have gone to war, but the other civs were narrowing the gap in technology I had on them. A war would cost me my ever-so-slim lead on them. So I didn't fight the americans.

Actually the romans invaded, but were quickly dispatched. Still I'm thinking of a marathon game so I can enjoy the time periods a little more. What do the rest of you guys think. Ever done so?

[Solver]

I rather like a custom pace of Epic with 200% research instead of 150%. It plays like Epic, but slower - more time in each era.

What's my problem with Marathon? Units are built out of proportion quickly, which makes war too easy and too good a choice. Of course, if you want less consequences to war, Marathon's a good setting.

[Stickyman]

I play exclusively marathon. I never thought of myself as a warmonger, but there is no doubting the Marathon setting is biased to that trait.

[Willem]

Re: should I try a marathon game?

Originally posted by D4everman
What do the rest of you guys think. Ever done so?

It's the only speed I play at, even Epic seemed too quick. Normal is out of the question. One problem with Marathon is that the early part of the game sometimes can be a bit boring. Things take so long to build and research, many times you're just hitting the Enter button turn after turn. My favourite time period is the Middle Ages, just before the Gunpowder Era. I find even on Marathon, the Industrial/Modern Eras go by too quickly.

[Willem]

Originally posted by Solver
Units are built out of proportion quickly, which makes war too easy and too good a choice.

That's not necessarily a bad thing even if you pursue a builder strategy. It means the AI has a larger military as well, and so becomes a viable threat to your development.

[Adagio]

Since Marathon became an option, this has been all I play, Epic was way too fast, marathon is just perfect

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by Adagio
Since Marathon became an option, this has been all I play, Epic was way too fast, marathon is just perfect

What he said...

[Solver]

That's not necessarily a bad thing even if you pursue a builder strategy. It means the AI has a larger military as well, and so becomes a viable threat to your development.

It makes me too able to pursue a builder strategy while keeping an adequate defensive force, though. Well, just my opinion.

[Son of David]

A normal speed game on a standard map usually takes me about 7-8 hours to complete.

Am I just unusual or isn't that long enough to linger on a single game of Civ?

[Willem]

Originally posted by Solver

That's not necessarily a bad thing even if you pursue a builder strategy. It means the AI has a larger military as well, and so becomes a viable threat to your development.

It makes me too able to pursue a builder strategy while keeping an adequate defensive force, though.

But the AI will have a larger offensive force so you have to compensate. I've seen the AI with some very healthy stacks and defences, especially if they haven't been in a war for awhile. That makes it more of a challenge to wage war against them. And if you have someone like Monty or Alexander as your neighbour, you can end up in some serious trouble if you don't build adequately. I'd say it all balances out myself.

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by Son of David
Am I just unusual or isn't that long enough to linger on a single game of Civ?

You're just unusual...

[solo]

Marathon's my favorite speed now, too.

Each decision is more important, since the benefits and/or consequences last so much longer.

[TheArsenal]

Always play Marathon. I like Civ as a massive game I walk away from, think about, and come back to the next day.

[Nacht]

Re: should I try a marathon game?

Originally posted by D4everman
Has anyone tried a marathon game?

Almost anyone posting here regular seems to play it exclusively.

[Willem]

Re: Re: should I try a marathon game?

Originally posted by Nacht




Almost anyone posting here regular seems to play it exclusively.

Except Solver.

There's one in every crowd.