Rate of Expansion

[Lord Avalon]

You want to have at least the minimum number of cities for advanced buildings you're interested in pursuing: like Oxford University requires a certain number of universities (varies by map size), Ironworks requires a certain number of forges, Forbidden Palace requires a certain number of courthouses, cathedrals require a certain number of temples, etc.

"Building quests" are only worth pursuing if it's something you're already going to do. Not worth going out of your way for.

[snoopy369]

Originally posted by Lord Avalon
You want to have at least the minimum number of cities for advanced buildings you're interested in pursuing: like Oxford University requires a certain number of universities (varies by map size), Ironworks requires a certain number of forges, Forbidden Palace requires a certain number of courthouses, cathedrals require a certain number of temples, etc.

"Building quests" are only worth pursuing if it's something you're already going to do. Not worth going out of your way for.

Very much agree I almost never get the building quests, to be honest... so I guess my answer is no

[Nikomakkos]

What I usually do for initial expansion is research Bronze Working first and build a worker. Then I chop rush another worker and these two chop rush a settler, preferably two of them. Probably good to mix two warriors into this to protect the settlers. Exactly how I do this depends on how many trees there are.

When I've built two cities (and have 3 total), what I do is either chop rush a worker and a monument (unless Creative) in each of the new cities. In the capital I now start on a barracks and then defense military. I don't go for archers (I don't even research Archery until way way later). So it's really important to me to get access to copper right from the start because that means I can start pumping out axemen along with some spearmen, which means I can expand more freely and securely. Sometimes I delay my defenses to get Stonehenge, and in that case I can skip the Monuments in the satellite cities.

If I don't have access to gold or gems then I think it's good to get pottery to start growing a few cottages asap, to finance some further growth. In fact it's a good idea regardless of any gold or gems, as the towns take time to come, and they make the best workable squares in the game.

When I have good defenses for my 3 cities, I start churning out settlers regularly, along with axemen to go with them. Sometimes there is a real rush to secure land, but I don't think a faster expansion than what I'm describing is viable in most cases.

I usually try to hurry to find a good spot for a future major town sprawled commerce city and start growing those cottages right away. But in the beginning production is essential, for so many things. Expansion, defense force, and it's nice to get some wonders as well. Which wonders depends on strategy, but I like the Pyramids for most games. They make my people happy.

I try to hurry to get at least 8 good cities, but that depends on map size. Maybe 6 is enough on the smaller maps. When you have those cities it's important to start to build up your infrastructure. Commerce is key now. When I have Vassalage and Macemen I usually start building an army for further expansion, this time through conquest.

Ok, that's enough for now. Hope what I said wasn't all just something everyone here knew already.

[Nikomakkos]

I should add that when it happens that the AI takes the land first and your stuck with too few cities, you have to research Iron Working and Construction asap to get swordsmen and catapults and build an army for conquest right away. It depends on the situation whether it is best to only take the territory you need for your 8 good cities (or whatever number) or if you should just finish him off completely. Bear in mind that war clogs up your build queue and takes a toll on your economy, while the other civs are growing. It also takes up your concentration and focus (the human player's).

It's true what someone said here that the absolute minimum amount of cities is the amount needed to build the national wonders.

[Nikomakkos]

Concerning the question of whether to build fewer super cities or try to use as many workable squares of the land as possible by building cities closer together, and thus probably a bit more of them, I'd say definitely the latter option if you have the Organized trait (but I'm not sure about this, maybe it doesn't matter that much, but I hate to see good squares of land go to waste). Personally I love that trait because in my opinion having many cities and a big empire is the most powerful strategy.

[Unimatrix11]

Originally posted by snoopy369
.... Does this come earlier at high levels (I play prince/monarch)??

I cant help but to express my surprise - I thought You were one of those emperor/diety-cracks...

[Blaupanzer]

Originally posted by snoopy369 edit: I'm also a bit confused about the spearmen comment. I would never chariotrush during the point at which barbs might come at me with spearmen... far too late along. Does this come earlier at high levels (I play prince/monarch)??

The initial appearance of barbs comes earlier the higher the level you go. Also, it takes fewer "fogged" tiles to cause one barb to appear, resulting in more barbs more often. "Fogged" tiles are those that are still black or which have gone grey as no civ's units/cities can observe them. The chance of a barb appearing in any square is based on the number of such squares and the rate of appearance for that level.

I have not found the logic that upgrades the barbs, but it appears to begin when any civ finds the corresponding tech. Even at swordsmen levels, some barbs will still be warriors. Therefore, some logic affects the chance of each type appearing.