Best/Favorite new Civ in BtS? (Gameplay wise)

[joncnunn]

Ethopia & the Netherlands are my favorite new civs. Which one is best depends upon the map.

[Theben]

Originally posted by Krill
So you're going to do what when HA come at you? Archers can surfice against chariots, 2v1 and 5v2 (even with flanking the archers aren't going to get odds on a chariot with combat 1). Spears are necassary to continue to grow and defend against HA, so you can't just ignore metal entirely.

By the time someone comes at me with HAs, I'll have a much bigger empire. Most likely with copper or iron. And a COM1/FLANK1 archer vs. COM1 chariot is 4.05-4.4, with Drill I and the chariot gets no defensive bonuses. It's slightly less than 50-50 but a second archer is almost a guaranteed kill, and that tradeoff leans in my favor (assuming equal build rates vs AI).

As for Dogs, a COM1 Dog vs. a COM1 Axeman= 8.4 vs 8 or 8.1. A regular Dog vs. COM1 swordsman= 8 vs. 6.6, both assuming no defensive terrain for the defenders. Even better if the Dog is defending. Their early rush is limited, but it is possible and more likely than most other civs. Their medieval rush can be deadly. And nothing else is quite as fun (and expensive) as 30 Drill IV crossbows upgraded into Grenadiers.

[Fleme]

Many of them are good.

I like Pacal, Suryavarman and Willem in no particular order.

[Virulent]

I'm kind of surprised there isn't more love for Babylon. I tend to view them as a more combat orientated version of the Ottomans (well the Ottomans under Mehmed, I don't particularly care for Suleiman). And I view the Ottomans as one of the best Civs added in Warlords and one of the best Civs overall.

Also the large amount of Dutch love is somewhat surprising. They are very, very good, no doubt about that. But in my view the fact that you can't utilize their unique advantages on certain starting positions or maps types makes them lose a few points in my book.

[Fleme]

I don't like the Babylonians. Somehow the trait combination along with the UU and UB makes for a combination that doesn't work for me. Mehmed is really good too and for a certain type of game Suleiman is also a monster but then again, I suppose every leader has their strong point and while my preferences were Pacal, Suryavarman and Willem, I still wouldn't say no most of the leaders.

The ones I don't like and will restart if I random are Joao, Hammurabi, Sitting Bull, Burger King and from time to time Gilgamesh.

Joao I can't seem to utilize as I should (REX monster), Hammurabi's UU/UB/Trait combo doesn't work for me, Sitting Bull's Archer-focus isn't for me, Burger King has two of the worst traits and Gilgamesh's Trait combo isn't for me either.

[Addled Platypus]

Originally posted by snoopy369
I'm a big fan of the Native Americans myself. Easiest civ to rush a close enemy with by far -

gota agree

nothing like dog warrior rush

[johnmcd]

Originally posted by Supr49er
I also like the Maya - for the music and their lunatic Pacal II.

I do more trade with the Mayans than anyone else, just to hear their sweet theme tune.

[Alexander I]

Babylon.

Obvious reasons.

[Hauptman]

What the?

No love for Charlamaign? Screw the traits, that UU and UB are incredibly over powered. Both of em.

Landschnek can attack a stack and kill off all the catapults and trebs first! (first time I saw that I almost fell out of my chair) allowing your longbows/crossbows to defend at full strength.

75% reduction in city maintenance is HUGE! compare that to Shaka's 60%, wich requires TWO buildings. It's a no brainer. Expand expand expand. and game won.

I had to stop playing as Charlamaign, he made the game too easy.

[Supr49er]

Originally posted by Hauptman
... No love for Charlamaign? Screw the traits, that UU and UB are incredibly over powered. Both of em...

Excellent UU, UB combo - one of the most powerful in the game, not dependent on any particular map type.

[Dilger]

Can not believe Ethiopian does not get more kudos....
great cultural civ with an exceptional UU for mid game wars. UB gets culture moving faster than normal and reduced construction cost of all those buildings makes them over the top for builders like me....I creamed a friend who is a wonder builder using the Ethiopian recently in MP game....

[#07]

I've picked the Khmer for no apparent reason other than I've just started a game with them and it is going well. Good civ for early expansion.

I have ivory too so I'm looking forward to testing out the UU on my closest neighbour(s). Clearly you can't utilise their UU in every game though, ivory can be scarce...

[Hauptman]

Currently playing Ethiopia (for the first time) I do like the culture bonuses, and beelined gunpowder through education ignoring the lower half of the f-6 page, but all in all, I'm not that impressed for anything other than a culture win type game. We'll see when it comes time for the cheap factories.

[Mies78]

Gilga is a fresh additive me thinks...

great early UU which makes you temporary aggressive.

and then a early and cheap UB called Ziggurat to control the risen costs of your Greater Sumeria.

[Heraclitus]

The early coutrhouse of the Sumerians is great.