Addicted to Creative...

[MoonWolf]

So, how about future conquests? With creative and free speech you have the fat cross in 3 turns at latest (normal speed). That can be quite useful when conquering enemy territory.

[Fleme]

I thought it's pretty much standard procedure to build Culture in the cities you capture to get the fat cross up fast and to reduce the possibility of flipping.

[joncnunn]

Actually I think it's more standard procedure to build buildings that generate culture in captured cities. Doing it this way the culture per turn will increase over time.

Anyway unless you go into advanced settings, cities you capture will not flip back to the conquered player, the worst that happens is a revolt which can be prevented by garrisioning enough units there.

Also if your running CS, having a free artist is a quick way to get to the fat cross when not creative and without your state religion.

Originally posted by Fleme
I thought it's pretty much standard procedure to build Culture in the cities you capture to get the fat cross up fast and to reduce the possibility of flipping.

[couerdelion]

Originally posted by Blake
You could play as Brennus who starts with uber monuments you can just build in every city for the border pop.

But I'd recommend going with a completely different play style for a bit, like a Philosophical leader like Alexander or something.

Ditto, it's all about knowing what to do with the traits that you do have.

One of the more important things to worry about with a non-CRE civ is your early city placement. Sometimes, the “ideal” city site is not optimal if you have to also build culture in new cities so you may have to take a slightly worse site in order to acquire resources sooner.

Beyond that, the main thing you need to consider is throwing in Mysticism some time in your initial tech tree and building monuments. It’s just a brief diversion and shouldn’t stop you from using those other traits.