Using the WorldBuilder

[AllRoundGoodEgg]

I'm using the WorldBuilder to set up a new game for my fiancee and I (just tweaking the setup in case we randomly get dumped on heavy ice and tundra at the start, which we both hate). First, my pre-question:

Does Civ IV BtS 'balance' the starting positions so if you begin on tundra and ice, you get other advantages? It doesn't seem like it (I frequently get dumped on tundra/ice and am getting a bit sick of the slow start frankly!)

Now onto my WorldBuilder question:

Can I add new civs to a map I've created as a single player custom game and started?

My plan is to enter the WorldBuilder on the first turn, then add in our chosen civs onto uninhabited temperate islands (my fiancee is an oceanographer so loves island maps). Then I'll save the map as a custom scenario and start it up in multiplayer mode.

[Nugog]

Re: Using the WorldBuilder

Originally posted by AllRoundGoodEgg
Does Civ IV BtS 'balance' the starting positions so if you begin on tundra and ice, you get other advantages? It doesn't seem like it (I frequently get dumped on tundra/ice and am getting a bit sick of the slow start frankly!)

If you are using the Custom Game setup - and leave the reasources as "Balanced" - then yes it will.

As for always getting Tundra starts - I recently have seemed to get mainly jungle starts. Just how it goe I guess.

As for your worldbuilder question - it should work. I have never tried it for multiplayer, but do use WB alot for the BtS Tri-League Tournament games. Give it a go - let us know if you have any problems.

[AllRoundGoodEgg]

I can't see a way in the WorldBuilder to add or edit a civ, but it looks like I can do that by editing the WBS file... not as clean as I'd like because I know nothing about code or coding, but should be possible.

[wodan11]

Look for SmartMap or some other mods which allow you more complete control through the custom game screen. You can completely turn off tundra if you want. Much easier than a lot of WB shenanigans.

[Nugog]

Originally posted by AllRoundGoodEgg
I can't see a way in the WorldBuilder to add or edit a civ, but it looks like I can do that by editing the WBS file... not as clean as I'd like because I know nothing about code or coding, but should be possible.

You need to add all of your civs during a "custom game setup".

Apart from that - you can do what you want with them. It does take bit of playing around with to get used to - PM me if you want and I will see what I can do to help.

[AllRoundGoodEgg]

Thanks for the help (and the offer of more help). I really apreciate it. So far, I've found the interface really easy to use, and kudos to Firaxis for that, but I suspect I'll hit a brick wall so I'll probably have some follow-on questions.

[joncnunn]

This is basically with the unoffical BTS patch:
The immedate starting area will have it's trundra changed to grassland.

If you were planning a OCC game anyway, that will suffice. But if your wanting multiple cities, it's really going to suck and if you want any chance of winning your first order of business will have to be finding better land.

I haven't seen a predominately desert start with the exception of when I was trying out the desert regional map where everybody is in the same boat and there's extra rivers along with nice terraign in both the north and south. Basically if your in say the south, you heavy concentration of cities is in the south while north of that zone your cities are sparser and concentrated along rivers.

I've seen the jungle start; your immedate area will be improved from Jungle to Forest but there is a major jungle surronding it. The AI doesn't seem to be able to handle this well at all, but a human by making Iron Working a very high priority should be able to dig himself out of the hole. The same path will also give you Swords to go conquering a neighbor if they have better lands.

[Seedle]

Dale's World Builder Guide

You knew it was coming. Admit it.

[AllRoundGoodEgg]

And some serious thanks to Dale for that - great primer. Between that and this thread I've moved forward massively in my understanding of Civ IV and how it works.

[Blaupanzer]

"Forward massively" presents some visual consternation but sounds like a good thing. Very pleased folks could help you.