The "Trait I miss most when I don't have it" poll...

[EternalSpark]

I have to get ready for work, but I decided this should be an interesting thread.

This poll isn't for what trait you like the most, but the one that you feel the absence of more than any other.

For me, I will vote Creative. You mean non-capital cities don't get their Fat Cross on their own?

[wodan11]

I picked Spiritual because when I went down the list, almost all of them are passive. By that I mean it's just a discount, or what have you. Often, when I play, I base my strategy around my traits. e.g., Organized = REX. Financial = CE or coast SE. Very rarely do I pick a strategy for a leader that does not have synergy. That would be like trying to run a SE when none of my cities have fresh water.

What makes me miss things is when I go to do it, and find out I frigging' can't.

Also, I wonder if the way the poll is presented will bias things. For example, there's no mention of building discounts or oddball benefits such as rapid warlords. So, it's fair to say if I'm not Imperialistic, do I miss having 8-10 warlords? Well yeah, if you put it that way.

Wodan

[Heraclitus]

Creative

[wodan11]

Originally posted by Heraclitus
Creative

Most people just click on the Creative button, then click on "Submit Vote".

Wodan

[Shalkai]

Spiritual.

It doesn't drive your strategic thinking or guide how you build your empire, like most traits, but....

I miss having it whenever I want to switch civics or religions, and have to contemplate a turn or two of Anarchy. If I'm not spiritual, I'll probably have ~ 8 turns of Anarchy in a game, and I will often postpone a switch or two so I can combine it with another civic switch to avoid even more turns lost in anarchy. If I *do* have it, I find myself switching a lot more. I'll switch religions just for diplomatic reasons, switch civics every time there's a minor benefit (however temporary) to be had, and just generally be one fickle Emperor. I'd have 15-20 turns worth of anarchy in those games if I wasn't Spiritual.

Still, it's not one of my top 2 favorite traits, just one I like a lot...and really miss every time I hit F3 if I don't have it.

[Crossfire]

I also always miss Creative when I don't have it. All of a sudden I need to start work on getting a religion or something. Do you have any idea how much I hate religion?! And then you tell me I need one! Heck, I almost restart when I get into this position.

[Fleme]

Hm, let me deduct.

During settling I miss Creative. After that I miss Industrious because Pyramids on Marathon take ages yet I always go fo them. Then as the game matures a bit I miss Philosophical because I almost always use my Pyramids to run a Representation-powered Specialist economy. As my cities become sickly and unhappy I miss Expansionist and Charismatic and the yearning for Charismatic will remain from this moment on since I finally start building some units.

So, traits I don't miss: Spiritual, Aggressive, Protective, Imperialistic, Organized, Financial. I'm a bit surprised at this deduction myself since I generally like Financial and play it too. It's nice to have but most certainly not a must. As for the others here I very rarely like Aggressive leaders and it's even more uncommon for me to enjoy Protective or Imperialistic. Togugawa is an exception since I like Japan, for some odd reason. As for spiritual, I've never had too much trouble with Anarchy since I'm usually set in my selections for extended periods of time rather than switching back and forth.

I voted Charismatic since it remains useful the longest and is also good for both war and building.

[Krill]

Spiritual, although I do occasionaly miss creative. Everything else I just think oh well while I leave everyone either breathing dust miles behind me or mud under my foot.

[Jvstin]

Industrious, with a minor in Creative. Fat crosses are no bad thing...and it hurts when my production times skyrocket.

(I haven't played Louis much...perhaps I should)

[Vampgelus]

Charismatic... not for the happyness, but for the easy promotions.. I LOVE lvl 14 Cavalery

[Heraclitus]

Originally posted by wodan11

Most people just click on the Creative button, then click on "Submit Vote".

Wodan

But they don't get +1.

[jkp1187]

Originally posted by Vampgelus
Charismatic... not for the happyness, but for the easy promotions.. I LOVE lvl 14 Cavalery

x2 on that one. It's so nice to have your West Point/Military Instructor city cranking out Blitz Battleships and Ace fighters....

[joncnunn]

Voted Organized:

Without it:
Why's the lighthouses taking so long?
Why's maintenance so high already?
Why's the courthouses taking so long?
Why's the factories taking so long?

[Seedle]

Voted for Creative. Super annoying having to either place a city in a sub-optimal position to immediately access a resource, or wait until a culture building is built and then wait some more until the border pops.

[Robert]

Philo, great people are always too late, especially when you're lacking the philo trait.