Early Game Expansion

[marcuspeddle]

When I play on Great Plains or Highland maps, the AI seems to scoop up all available land before I can get a decent sized empire. I try to catch up but inevitably put myself in crushing debt trying to pay for all the cities I am putting down. I don't know how the AI expands so quickly and this is only Noble level! Can you share your strategies for building a large empire before the AI does? And, more importantly, how to not reduce my research to 20% trying to pay for the new cities.

[Sabre2th]

As you expand, you shouldn't worry about hitting 20%. The key is not to stay there. Make sure you are building your economy as well as your cities. If you keep up with your cottages, etc, your research will soon return to a more reasonable level.

[The Priest]

I agree, you can't aim to be top in everything all the time. Expand, capture the land, and don't worry about being behind in tech, you will soon catch up.

The other tip is to specialise - one city producing settlers, one garrison troops etc. I often find that my capital churns out settlers well, and don't worry that it therefore doesn't have a temple or a library. Get the settlers out in the moment of opportunity.

Also note that while there is land spare, the AI is very unlikely to attack, and doen't even start to build up a real army. So while you want some troops, they can also come second place, while there is land to fill.

[marcuspeddle]

Thanks for the advice. I will certainly try that in my next game.

[Fleme]

I often go as down as 0% research but when I do this, I make sure that I've gotten the Pyramids and can make up for the lost beakers with a few scientist specialists. Works quite well and since the research output is numerically very low early in the game, just a few scientists can really cover it entirely.

[wodan11]

Scientists work fine without Pyramids too.

Also, make sure you beeline for Currency and/or Code of Laws.

Wodan

[marcuspeddle]

Thanks. I might actually get somewhere in my next game.

[TriMiro]

My suggestion is Cottages. Build as many of them as you can. I usually have at least 3 - 5 per city, and I aim for 8 - 10 in some cities. The commerce boost is not immediate but immense in the long run.

[Crossfire]

I am always very low in research percentage until I get Courthouses and Markets and Banks built. The AIs are doing the same thing.

[Sabre2th]

Originally posted by TriMiro
My suggestion is Cottages. Build as many of them as you can. I usually have at least 3 - 5 per city, and I aim for 8 - 10 in some cities. The commerce boost is not immediate but immense in the long run.

I agree that cottages are important, but I would recommend specializing your cities.

For example, a city that's surrounded by plains hills should generally become a production city. Cottages in that city won't be as useful unless you build your library, market, etc, but is it worth it to build all those buildings for the few commerce you get from that city? Better to emphasize food and production in that city and have other cities dedicated purely to commerce.

When I found a city, I pick a specific use for it (unless it's just to grab resources) and tailor the location for that specific use. I'll actually put a sign on the map that says 'Commerce' or 'Production' and everything I do near that city is specifically for that goal. Not all cities will be so specialized, but they are generally more powerful if they are.

[Hydro]

This explains a lot. I was keeping my research spending at 80%, or 70% at the lowest and stopping settler production to keep my research up. Now I see that is an error - the land grab is all, and tech can be made up later. I had wondered how the AI managed to out colonize me when I'm way ahead in tech and Projects.

What doesn't quite make sense is the specialists. I typically can't make specialists until later, typically at the end or near the end of the rush. Of course wonders will do the job, that that is at the end of the rush, too.

I'll have to try again. I've played Darius and the Inca. Finiancial works wonders to improve finances (imagine that!).

Hydro

[marcuspeddle]

I've never specialised a city before. It sounds like a bit of work but if it gets results then I'm willing to have a go at it.

[Fleme]

Just build a library and make your size 3 city with a food source run 2 specialists. If you have the Pyramids that's 12 research, if not, then 6. On top of that you'll be popping a GS real soon. Either way, it's well comparable to the slider, since the overall commerce output early on in the game is pitiful and for me rarely over 20 per turn until I get going.

I'm usually a huge fan of a CE but in order to get up to speed fast, SE is the way for me.

[Hydro]

What is "CE" and "SE"? Is "GS" great scientist?

[Theben]

CE= cottage economy

SE= specialist economy