Do I still get the river connectivity if my city doesn't...

[ybrevo]

Originally posted by Lancer
I tend to found upon a hill even if the hill is a space away and there's a pretty little spot on flat land nearby. I get a rise out of being on a river sure, but losing the city is worse than any riverise is good, and no, it's not a word.

Lancer, I guess you can use the river for defensive purposes as well. That is: If you can force an enemy to attack ACROSS a river, the city is easier to defend. Of course you will have to put troops on good points on the other side to prevent an attack from there.

I still haven´t played much CIV4, so I am not sure how much benefit you get from this kind of defense - but maybe some of you veterans could help out with that question?

ybrevo

[Hauptman]

25% bonus for defending across a river (that is -25% for attacking across) however no units can use a promotion to add to that like with hills (archers gain automatic hill bonus, giving them an automatic 50% bonus). So a hill surrounded by rivers of course would be ideal as a defensive square.

Yes a corner touching the river counts. If you mouse over a square it will give the pop-up "fresh water access" to be able to check for sure. Of course lakes and oasis also give that pop up, so be careful.

[Modo44]

A corner touching a river counts. A corner touching the river spring doesn't count, though. I think this is what creates the most confusion.

[wodan11]

It's also confusing that a corner touching a river outlet doesn't count which I think is the case as well.

Wodan

[Modo44]

Originally posted by wodan11
It's also confusing that a corner touching a river outlet doesn't count which I think is the case as well.

Actually, I think this was changed in BtS, or I thought wrong from the beginning (assuming what was true in Civ3.) In BtS, the River outlet does count as a river connection.

[Fleme]

It's funny how the AI will insist on sieging a city that is located on a hill and they have to attack across a river. It's not even funny how many stacks of doom I destroyed by just defending and when the game was over I had gotten a total of 8 generals from merely defending my one city (that was the only place I ever waged war at). I was Imperialistic and had the Great Wall, but I still think 8 is a pretty nice number for never attacking anyone. This statement is totally off-topic and has no relevance, so you'll have to forgive me!

On topic though; I always prefer building next to the river since I like the extra health. Location being on a hill is just a bonus.

[ybrevo]

Fleme!

Yes it may be a bit off topic, but in my first game on Noble I was the stupid "AI" insisting on taking a juicy capital across a river. I simply didn´t know that musketeers get their gunpowder wet and canons sink into the riverbed ... Not to speak of the elephants concentrating on a fresh bath instead.

So I just hope that other newcomers to CIV4 reads this forum and don´t make the same silly mistake.

ybrevo

[Lord Avalon]

Originally posted by Modo44

Actually, I think this was changed in BtS, or I thought wrong from the beginning (assuming what was true in Civ3.) In BtS, the River outlet does count as a river connection.

That's incorrect - it does not count. I have BtS, tested this in World Builder. Settled at the end of a river, gave myself Steam Power - could not build a levee.

[Modo44]

Originally posted by Lord Avalon
That's incorrect - it does not count. I have BtS, tested this in World Builder. Settled at the end of a river, gave myself Steam Power - could not build a levee.

You're right, and I'm sorry, I got confused. I was talking about trade connections.

[Lancer]

I ran into this the other day. My cap and my Judaism founding city were both on the same river, on on side and one on corner but I got no connectivity until sailing. Should that be the case? Didn't ancient people just build rafts and barge their stuff to the next city on the river flow or tide of the estuary?


ybrevo, yes I use this to great effect. I love it when a fold in the river will cover many sides and also be a good city location. The map can be harsh or friendly...
Hauptman, thanks for the numbers on this, I didn't know.

Originally posted by ybrevo


Lancer, I guess you can use the river for defensive purposes as well. That is: If you can force an enemy to attack ACROSS a river, the city is easier to defend. Of course you will have to put troops on good points on the other side to prevent an attack from there.

I still haven´t played much CIV4, so I am not sure how much benefit you get from this kind of defense - but maybe some of you veterans could help out with that question?

ybrevo

[Quillan]

With BtS, rivers don't provide a trade connection until sailing, unless the entire pathway is within your cultural borders. Just like galleys can go away from the coastline within friendly borders, rivers provide trade within friendly borders even without the tech.

[joncnunn]

In case of muliple rivers in your city raidus, to build a Levy it only needs to touch one of them and it will also produce hammers on the other river.

Also, the Dutch Dike can be built along the coast not touching a river and produce hammers along the river in addition to the ocean.

Originally posted by Starfarer
For Levee, however, you do seem to have to have the river directly adjacent to your city, running along one full side of the city square. Being in your cultural borders or in your fat cross does not seem to allow the Levee to be built.

At least, that's my experience.