Should I ???

[PLATO]

Originally posted by Bloody Monk
Oh, and...don't stay too long at Chieftain. You will eventually want to play at Deity, so get to that level sooner. You may get your butt kicked at first but you won't be learning bad habits. And that will be a good thing.

Monk

I do pretty well on Monarch w/Civ3. Same type strategies apply or is it really a totally different game?

[Six Thousand Year Old Man]

Originally posted by PLATO
Okay. Just ordered Gold Multiplayer edition from Amazon using the 'Poly link($4.99!!) Can't wait to learn to play. 3-5 days. Any advice on where to start?

In short:

Build (and deliver) Caravans/Freight.

In longer:

Keep your science rate high. Don't be afraid of diplomacy and giving away science in exchange for intelligence about the AIs. Don't build too many improvements too soon. More cities is better. And when in doubt, build a Caravan.

[Bloody Monk]

I can get you started in Civ2; Civ3, I don't know from boo. Try the tutorial. If you think it's the same.... But...

I fired up Civ3 once and it was so different from what I was expecting that I never went back. Maybe the same strats will work for you. They didn't for me. They are, I believe, completely different games.

I think if you start fresh, without assumptions, you will discover a very cool, very addictive, game.

Monk

[PLATO]

You guys are being very helpful! Thanks a lot for all the advice!

Caravans are how you trade, right? Do they carry particular goods or are they just income producers? Do they give a diplomatic benefit with the trade partner Civ? What happens to Caravans during War?

So many questions...I know what a pain a Newbie can be, but be patient and I will find a way to contribute here. Thanks!

[Six Thousand Year Old Man]

Originally posted by PLATO
You guys are being very helpful! Thanks a lot for all the advice!

Caravans are how you trade, right? Do they carry particular goods or are they just income producers? Do they give a diplomatic benefit with the trade partner Civ? What happens to Caravans during War?

So many questions...I know what a pain a Newbie can be, but be patient and I will find a way to contribute here. Thanks!

You aren't the first newbie here. Don't worry, we're used to it.

Caravans are how you trade. You have to physically move them to the destination city to deliver them; they're units like any others with att/def/move/h.p ratings.

They do carry particular goods - all cities demand 3 goods and supply 3 goods (they change, and there are many long, complex threads explaining how and when they change). Demanded goods pay more than undemanded, and certain demanded goods pay more than other demanded goods.

Trade not only pays off in a 1-time cash bonus, but you get a science bonus of the same size, and (much smaller) ongoing trade bonuses as well.

There doesn't seem to be a diplomatic benefit to trade that I know of.

Trade routes are not severed during war. However, if a war breaks out, Caravans are slow and weak and easily destroyed by enemy units.

I'll stop now because you might want to play a game first before we overwhelm you with tips.

[Bloody Monk]

Not so fast there Sparky.

I admire your exuberance, but I promise you'll get more from questions after you've at least popped the shrink wrap on the cd and played a game or two.

And don't try to think in terms of Civ3. It's not the same.

Patience. You are about to experience Christmas morning.

Monk

[PLATO]

Originally posted by Bloody Monk
Not so fast there Sparky.

I admire your exuberance, but I promise you'll get more from questions after you've at least popped the shrink wrap on the cd and played a game or two.

And don't try to think in terms of Civ3. It's not the same.

Patience. You are about to experience Christmas morning.

Monk

Good advice...3-5 days shipping...oh well. I guess I can wait.

Sparky? Looks like I'm going to be at home here

Allright-Start at Chieftan...builds caravans...research. Got it. I'm sure I'll soon have many other questions.

And don't try to think in terms of Civ3. It's not the same.

This will be the biggest initial obstacle.

Thanks again both of you!

[Scouse Gits]

Fundamental tech path:
Alphabet
Ceremonial Burial
Code of Laws
Monarchy - revolution get out of despotism
Bronze Working
Currency
Trade - build caravans

deviating from the above list by more than two or three techs can be disastrous ...

Stu

[rjmatsleepers]

Originally posted by Scouse Gits
Fundamental tech path:
Alphabet
Ceremonial Burial
Code of Laws
Monarchy - revolution get out of despotism
Bronze Working
Currency
Trade - build caravans

deviating from the above list by more than two or three techs can be disastrous ...

Stu

That depends what you mean by disastrous. I agree that those technologies are optimal for early landing.

If you are going for conquest, horseriding, warrior code and feudalism can be slipped in ahead of trade (and even monarchy) without making the game un-winable. In fact conquest games can be won easily without ever researching currency or trade - just pick them up from one of the conquered AIs at a convenient time. Delaying Monarchy is inconvenient, but hardly disastrous.

In the Silly Rules game we departed from your recommended technologies in a big way and we are (probably) still going to be able to win it.

RJM at Sleeper's

[debeest]

Skip chieftain. This is a very different game from Civ3, but not so different that you could lose at chieftain, even with your eyes closed and your mouse tied behind your back. Maybe skip warlord, too.

Build lots of early cities and you'll build great power. Building a settler only shrinks your city by one citizen, not two; don't hesitate to build a settler as soon as your city reaches size two, and then build a new city with that settler ASAP.

Before I gave up on Civ3 I started a list of what I considered the main differences from Civ2. When I get home I'll try to find it and post it here, just so you'll know where to look for differences.

[Scouse Gits]

@ RJM - of course you are correct, but a newbie that strays too far from the grail will suffer badly ...

Stu

[PLATO]

Originally posted by debeest
Build lots of early cities and you'll build great power. Building a settler only shrinks your city by one citizen, not two; don't hesitate to build a settler as soon as your city reaches size two, and then build a new city with that settler ASAP.

I suppose this is similar to the Civ3 REXing strategy?

Before I gave up on Civ3 I started a list of what I considered the main differences from Civ2. When I get home I'll try to find it and post it here, just so you'll know where to look for differences.

I would be ever so grateful. Thanks!

[Bloody Monk]

The point about playing the first game at Chieftain has nothing to do with winability. It's that you need to unlearn the other game and learn this one. The stronger the base you build the taller you can grow. This relates to Stu's point. Learn the basics first, then the rest will be easy and more fun. Eventually you will be able to make up "Silly Rules" or tech paths or other "challenges." And you will Know.

This should be a lot of fun!!

Monk

[duke o' york]

Don't listen to this lot!
For your first game with MGE, visit the Civ 2 MP forum and make vainglorious boasts about how much you've learned playing Civ 3 and how you'll kick them all into the Dark Ages!

[PLATO]

Originally posted by duke o' york
Don't listen to this lot!
For your first game with MGE, visit the Civ 2 MP forum and make vainglorious boasts about how much you've learned playing Civ 3 and how you'll kick them all into the Dark Ages!

Yeah..I'll do that!