No messin' around, Who's the BEST leader?

[padillah]

OK, this is it.

No whining about starts or resources or terrain or whatever.

If you were gonna play 200 games, random level, random maps, random EVERYTHING who would you play to win them all?

I'm looking for the absolute, hands-down, all-out, BEST leader in Civ.

Tom P.

[padillah]

Unfortunately there's a limit of 24 options in a poll and there are 26 leaders so I had to drop Napoleon and Huayna Capac.

If there turns out to be a cry for votes for them I'll drop the least two leaders and repost with those two in.

BTW I voted for Saladin, free culture and resource-less UU are good things to have around.

Tom P.

[fani]

Mansa musa...i want lots of cash(don't we all?) and an early UU that does not require a resource because everything would be set to random...I also like the spiritual trait...and...and...and...

[Jaybe]

The ONLY Leader is Caesar!
1. While health is generally a minor issue with a player (unlike the AI), with Caesar it isn't even minor.
2. In a huge/marathon game, half-price civics rule if you are going to be a major power.
but most importantly ...
3. With Civ4, Caesar is literally the only one I've played!

[LordShiva]

This poll is invalid

Shame on you padillah...

[padillah]

Originally posted by LordShiva
This poll is invalid

Shame on you padillah...

There's only 24 options... I couldn't even fit all the valid options much less the banana.

I was planning on putting Sid "Banana" Meier if I had enough room. I hope that helps.

Tom P.

[rah]

Catherine, need the financial at the higher levels, love the culture so I don't have to build early culture structures and the cossacks kick butt and have a reasonably long shelf life.

[Son of David]

I can't wait to play as Shaka Zulu. What a guy, what a mensch!

[Smellycowsquid]

I also like Mansa Musa, but I have been playing around with different leaders and countries...

[Qwertqwert]

Qin Shi Haung, Extra cash to reashearch quickly, and with that tech lead can build wonders fast and get them done before many other civs even get the tech for it.

I also like Mansa Musa, the unique unit for them is great for taking over enemy cities early in the game, and often, destroying them. Elizebeth, she has great people comming in fast, which you can use for reashearch, even adding to the tech gain from financial. And Cathrine, who also has that reachearch tech gain, and then has the creativity to expand a little more early. Maybe open up some better slots. All are great #2s in my oppnion.

[MasterDave]

I like lots of different leaders, but in multiplayer games lately with barbarians I have been choosing Hyuna Capac (who gets so little respect hes not even on the list). Four reasons why I like the Incas for multiplayer:

1) Quechas (all starting with Combat 1) are the best and definitely the cheapest way to suppress barbarians early on while trying to slingshot or build the Pyramids without learning military techs. They are especially good at taking nearby barb cities that are defended by archers. They pretty much rule the roost until the barbs and other players show up with Axemen.

2) Financial: A critical pick for getting reseach rolling quickly- especially if you have a river to build cottages along!

3) Aggressive: A trait that is extremely useful for warmongering and stays useful though infantry and marines.

4) Agriculture and Mysticism: Very nice starting techs for faster early growth and a near-guarantee of an early religion. Getting Buddhism or Polytheism right off the bat is a great culture and happiness boost early in the game, and being able to convert your AI neighbors before they get corrupted by other faiths is very useful.

I really like the Incas, although for multiplayer games without barbs I will generally choose Qin, Liz, or Ghandi.

[Ijuin]

It really depends on which victory type you are going for. If I am going for a Spaceship, Culture, or Diplomatic victory, then the science and gold benefit from Elizabeth's Philisophical/Financial combination is my choice. If I am going for a Conquest or Domination victory, then I prefer the Aggressive/Organized traits of Tokugawa. If I don't know which I prefer, then Alexander's Philosophical/Aggressive combination is helpful.

[Nugog]

Caeser.

One word - Praetorians!

[Adagio]

I voted for Catherine because she's the best looking leader

[Nikolai]

I kinda like Saladin.