The "I think I might be losing this one, what do I do?" thread

[Dominae]

Conquests or Play the World (or just plain old Civ3)?

[David Murray]

My apologies - Conquests, of course!

[Theseus]

David, I'll look tonight.

EST, I am not sure if I understand what you are getting at. I don;t think there is any kind of mechanism that changes in favor of the losing player... rather, there are things like tech strategies (drafting and branch leads), resource free units, bombardment, attitude / reputation management, etc., that provide the means for coming from behind.

[ducki]

This was going to be an edit, but you guys are too fast.
Here's links to the two games I posted that were mentioned. This format seemed to work really well both for myself and the pros here. It does, however, entail a slightly greater time investment as you'll need to take and resize screenshots if you wish to get help without folks loading your .sav.

Anyway, the links.
FP+Palace Placement
Can't find this one.

Ducki does Regent

http://www.apolyton.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=1380414#post1380414

Ducki does PtW Monarch

http://www.apolyton.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=1436633#post1436633

[TheArsenal]

Originally posted by Tall Stranger
It's a little tricky, because there are two components to AU. First, is the AU mod, which is designed to:
1. Improve the ability of the AI;
2. Enhance strategic options for the player;
3. Complete 1. and 2. above without changing the "feel" of standard, stock Civ3.
(There is a bit of tension between these three elements, which current debates in the AU forum make quite clear.)

Yep. I’ve been reading through the AU threads. It seems to me element three is constantly and seriously under siege. May not make it out alive.

My Jenny Craig testimonial? As far as playing the AU games, I have noted it before, but 208 was a defining moment in my game play and one of the major factors in accelerating my moving up to Monarch (where due to micromanagement v. fun issues I will likely remain). Although I eventually got my tail kicked around the map, no single game has taught me more. Part of that was due to in game factors and parameters, and another part due to the ability to make direct comparisons against other games.

Don't always have time for it, but its good stuff.

[vmxa1]

Garp2, I am not sure as too what the refeence maybe. I can suggest that in Civ3 you run into things like corruption (not talking about the bug). You can see the other AI's try to take on the the KAI, but I am not sure that is designed to help the humna get back in the game.
You get back in the game by out playing the AI, but if they get too far ahead or you are in a inferior position that is not always possible.
It is more a case of what Dominae mention in one of the threads, that you get to have a feel for where you are and where you need to be and at what time. This is what lets you plod on. If you are in a new level, like when I tried a Sid game, you have no idea how it is suppose to progress. That makes it hard to hang in there.

[vmxa1]

David, you will gain all ancient techs on the next turn and several middle ages techs. I would research Chiv as it is optional and the AI will surely do Invention and Theology.

I would, on the turn you get the techs start the revolution and switch to Monarchy. You will have 16 units free in Rep and 26 in Mon. You have 26 now IIRC. You need more units anyway so the cost will be going up.

I will skip the citiy spacing, because it is up in the air in C3C right now. My biggest complaint is you have so little knowledge of the map. Two civs still not seen (Egypt and Byz). It is hard to plan for a war with China, when you cannot see any of their land.

I see you are making Markets, but you need to get that silk under you control. Then some Libs as you will need to do all your own research from now (soon anyay).

Anyway I traded Lit right away to Carth/Korea/Mongols mostly for cash. I gave it to Greeks as they are about to get it anyway and now they will like you more for no real cost.

If you don't get some pikes after the revolt, you will be in big trouble. China is going to have Riders soon, if they don't now.
I hope they have already had their GA.

[Theseus]

You don;t need luxuries so high... 20% seems fine.

What did you do to p*ss off everybody except Alexander?

Well, you got the GLib, but damn, that was risky... way behind on tech!

I'd fill in a lot more cities: Rome3336 (cleared), Veii441, Pompeii447, Pompeii999, and Carthage 889 (!!) at a minimum. Don;t worry about being 2 tiles from AI cities... it's too early for culture to be an issue, and you might just as well raze them upon capture to get better ciy placement.

Many more Workers (really, a LOT more), and many many many more Legions. Fine, build the Markets at Rome and Antium, but Veii goes on 3-turn Legion builds.

Shantung is just annoying beyond words... I'm not in love with the current military disposition, but you can definitely take it, and then build down there too.

Keep your Legions in action!! Try to use one Spear in a city for MP duty, only then augmented by your weaker Legions... all vets and elites should be at the front!

Next turn: Glib kicks in. Use Lit and cash to enlist local AI civs in MAs against China, and sell Lit for cash to Greece and Korea. Revolt for Monarchy.

You are on your way. Prolly some Carthage pruning next, to better shape your empire, and then Mongols (just so you don't have to see the hideousness of the late-game Ghengis Khan! ).
___________________

Macro comments:

Mucho more Workers, my man. The terrain around Rome should be chopped, roaded, mined, and irrigated by now. And more LEGIONS... they are the BOMB. You also need more of a blob shape to your empire... fill in the cracks in your perimeter.

Some really good stuff, though, like cities on river hills, and snagging the GLib.

[David Murray]

Theseus and vxma1 - thank you both very much for your excellent tips. I shal do my best.

[Primative1]

I cant establish a permanent supply of Iron - both sources within my territory have run-out and no-one wants to trade it to me. Do I have to keep invading AI's to secure supplies? Is it possible to win a military victory without it? No armour, navy etc.

[vmxa1]

Originally posted by Primative1
I cant establish a permanent supply of Iron - both sources within my territory have run-out and no-one wants to trade it to me. Do I have to keep invading AI's to secure supplies? Is it possible to win a military victory without it? No armour, navy etc.

I take so far no new source has appeared. So it is hard to say given no details, but yes you can win without iron. It is need most when you get coal.

So what is th civ and the settings and who are your neighbors?
Where are you in the game and tech tree?

A save makes it easier to make responses to that issue.

[Primative1]

It's 1330ad, i've just entered the Industrial era and my most powerful and developed neighbours are the Egyptians. I recently launched a major invasion of Japan, making myself unpopular in the process, in order to gain a supply of Iron but the damn thing ran out 5 turns later.

Serves me right I guess.

I only just bought the game and it seems pretty weird to me that large parts of the game - most modern units I would guess - may end up being unavailable to the player due to the scarcity of a crucial resource.

I'm playing as China btw.

[Dominae]

Post a savegame, Primative1.

[Primative1]

Tell me how Dom.

ps Ive been playing all day so the situation has changed but I wouldnt mind posting a save for you guys to take a look at - constructive criticism etc

[Rhothaerill]

When you click on "post reply" at the bottom of the new screen is an area for attaching files. Click on browse to find your save file and write up a little blurb about it, then click submit. The rest of us can download it from there.