Polytheism-Philosophy-Monarchy?

[barbeerhj]

I have been having a lot of fun with the free tech from philosophy. Seeing as how they gave the free tech back to philosophy, I have been beelining to it almost every game if I can maintain a tech lead.

Also, I have found that getting Polytheism and then getting Philosophy can give you a much cheaper Monarchy and a viable trade tech to get some other advance from the A.I.

This fits into my strategy pretty well most games, because I try to wage a few early wars to cripple the AIs infrastructure and/or capture a city or two. And then get an advanced government and develope my infrastructure before I reach Mid. Infantry and go on a rampage.

Please give me your opinion on this or suggestions to make better use of the free tech from Philosophy.

-Ron

[Vince278]

After Philosophy I still beeline for Republic and totally ignore the Monarchy path (except maybe in trade).

[Solomwi]

I do the same (ignoring the Monarchy path and beelining for Rep), although in the game I'm playing right now, I snagged Map Making with the free tech. Hannibal and I are on the same continent, but spearated by a Mediterraneanesque gulf, with a one tile strait at the entrance. The southern shore of Hannibal's part of the landmass has wines and several cows, so I went that route to just slip across and grab the land before he could. It was more successful than I could have hoped. Not only did I get the land, but either Phil or MM gave me an SGL. Pyramids in 1275 BC.

[trev]

At high levels you will never get philosophy first if you go to polytheism first

[Jon Miller]

I also just beeline for Republic

if my research and internal developement isn't very good, I will sometimes take a stop at literacy, but otherwise...

Jon Miller

[vmxa1]

I think it is a function of the level. You can go either way at most levels, but I want to get Lit on Deity and Sid for my free tech.

Republic is not my choice in those levels either, but at demi it is fine. I need too many troops and have to be on a war footing too often to stick with republic until very late in the game.

[Petrus2]

This thread brings up something in my current game. Monarchy, 16 civs, and am approaching the late industrial age.

Various civs keep declaring war, but after a while they'll make peace. Of course, others by that time declare war. I'm in Republic, and keep wondering when my Happiness is going to plummet, but it hasn't gotten really bad. I suspect that the other civs declaring war on ME is what keeps things out of the gutter, but since I've been forced to be "at war" for a long time, I'm surprised.

Typically I'm in Communism or Monarchy if this is the case, and keep expecting to have to switch over (not a big deal since I'm a Religious civ, but still...).

Should I attribute this to the dec's of war? Or am I missing something?

[Solomwi]

Multiple declarations can be pretty powerful. As I understand it, only 25% more people are happy when you have negative WW points (you lose 30 for being declared upon, so the first one gets you the bonus), but each declaration results in 30 fewer WW points, digging a good hole that gives you plenty of freedom to conduct war before WW starts to rear its head.

[gunkulator]

WW actually decreases when another civ declares war on you, unless the war is your fault, like getting caught during espionage. Don't worry about wars with distant civs. Those will never contribute much to WW anyway. Keep Republic as long as you can.

[Petrus2]

Right, I know WW shrinks when I'm declared upon. I guess I've never stayed in war long enough (or Republic long enough) to see my citizens stay stable this long.

gunkulator, I was not aware that distance of civs affects how much they contribute to WW. Most of those declaring on me don't ever come in to armed combat. Of the rest, a few have been involved in naval skirmishes, but I have managed to keep the true land war to one foe at a time.

[Solomwi]

What I'm saying, though, is four civs declaring war on you quadruples the number of WW points you have to accumulate through losing units, being attacked, etc., to get back to zero. That, coupled with only really fighting one at a time (fewer attacks on your units, mainly), is what's keeping them stable.

[Theseus]

Re: Polytheism-Philosophy-Monarchy?

Originally posted by barbeerhj
Please give me your opinion on this or suggestions to make better use of the free tech from Philosophy.

Are you aware that there is a way to make trades with the AI civs after you get Philo, but before you get your free tech?

[Dis]

for me: pottery first (if I don't already have it), then beeline for philosphy. then republic.

[trev]

You have me intigued, how do you trade techs after gaining philosophy, but before you get the free tech? I imagine it would be an extremely useful technique in the game at higher levels

[gunkulator]

Originally posted by Petrus2

gunkulator, I was not aware that distance of civs affects how much they contribute to WW.

It doesn't, however distant civs generally won't bother attacking you, especially if one of their neighbors happens to drop by . If you stay out of their land and avoid their units, the only effect of the war will be your people celebrating!