Interesting Strategy

[Robert]

Diplomacy is also important
Having strong friends.

@Jon: I'd say: just limit it at forbidding upgrading of units you receive from others. Gifting units is ok. It's impossible to fill all wholes, and it's also not possible to be sure that nobody is doing the espionage trick, but there's also someting like being honest. I'm sure that we can be honest to each other.
We may have differences of opinions sometimes and get pretty upset about that, but nobody of us is a real cheater.

[St Jon]

I'm sure we can Robert.

What I would like is a list of what is prohibited - whatever the circumstances - like double moves.

Maybe a point for discussion on your new Diplo-Game Thread.

Clarity is all that is needed to avoid arguments.

[Hercules]

Thanks Rasputin for starting a revealing thread.

Recently in a MP game I got a hint at was happening and what was possible in a MP framework.

Most of it can't be stopped but it goes against my instincts.

[Rasputin]

I agree Herc, i was surprised to see it posted about so openly , but glad it is now out there for all to be aware of..

[St Jon]

There's always more than 1 way to skin a cat.

[Speaker]

Remember that you need Currency to trade gold, and without researching, you will not gain access to advanced civics and buildings that multiply your raw commerce, not to mention the fact that upgrading units is quite expensive. Having played multiplayer for 3.5 years, I don't think strategy would be very practical in any sort of scale, nor is it used in any widespread manner.

There are much better ways to get units, for example, two-population slaving, while working all food, cottages, and farms (no mines).

[Rasputin]

what if i give a city to my "ally" and he builds the advanced building then gifts it back to me

rember this is not a stretgy for someone to win the game but for someone in a lower ranked position to get better units to attack another civ.

[St Jon]

It will work as well as an improvement will - assuming you can use the resource - despite the Tech difference. Just the same as if you capture a City with a Supermarket when you cannot build one.

[St Jon]

Caveat to that. If it requires a particular resource then you must be able to have reached a stage where you can see and exploit the resource. If you cannot even see Uranium your shiny new Nuclear Plant will not function. Nobody can even give it to you.

[Rasputin]

i find it amazing how people find all these loopholes then jsutify their usage of them claiming that if it is possible then the game desgienrs obviously want people to use the loopholes.

[St Jon]

No.

Even the very best designers are never going to overcome human ingenuity - it cannot be done.

You started a very good thread here as it has brought into the open so many of those loopholes - not all I fear - and at least people inexperienced in CivIV will see just what can be done. Most of the tricks can never be made illegal because you could never really prove malpractice and the lines are so grey. At least you now know what does go on and take guard against it. If all else fails then 'if you can't beat them join them'!

[Rasputin]

would love to see someone post all the LOOPHOLES they use that are not documented in the manual.