Difficulty levels

[Rivard]

It has taken me about 6 games before I started winning.
I can beat the game on Warlord right now. If I go to the
next level how does the AI change?
In some games you start with lower revenue and in
others the computer is more aggressive.

I am thinking CIV Conquest is going to be more aggressive which I ready to handle ( I hope) but
does the computer players team up against you?

[mrmitchell]

The AI does not change on difficulty levels. The same AI on Diety level is playing on Chieftain.

What does change is the bonuses given to the AI--as the level increases, the AI gets more bonuses. When the level goes up:

-Your chance of success against Barbarians is reduced
-Your corruption is increased
-AI corruption is decreased
-AIs get production bonuses
-AIs are more likely to trade techs with each other (instead of you)
-AIs get more units at the start of the game
-Goody huts (the native huts that aren't barbarian camps) are more likely to spit out angry warriors instead of gold, techs, or settlers.

It's good that you stuck with the game even as it wasn't easy to learn. If you need more help, you can go to the strategy forum and read there--especially the "Must Read" threads.

[Theseus]

My advice exactly.

Welcome aboard, Rivard!!

[Rivard]

Thanks Guys.
This is very useful information mrrmitchell!

I must admit I have been lurking in this forum for a
couple of weeks now trying to pick up strategy tips
which really help get me to finally win a game.
So double thanks.

Thanks for the welcome Theseus!

[vmxa1]

You can open the editor and select custom rules. Then you can look at all the values for each level.

code:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chief. Warlord Regent Monarch Emp. Demigod Deity Sid

AI Bonuses
Def Land Units 0 0 0 2 4 6 8 12
Off Land Units 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 6
Start unit type 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2
Start unit type 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 4
Extra free support 0 0 0 4 8 12 16 24
Bonus for each city 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 8
Max gov transition 0 0 0 4 3 2 2 1
Cost factor 20 12 10 9 8 7 6 4
AI to AI trade 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 200

Other variables
Citizens born content 4 3 2 2 1 1 1 1
Citizens quelled 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Attack bonus vs barbs 800 400 200 100 50 25 0 0
Percent optimal cities 100 95 90 85 80 70 60 50

[mrmitchell]

What vxma was saying, formatted some:

code:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Chief. Warlord Regent Monarch Emp. Demigod Deity Sid

AI Bonuses
Def Land Units            0      0      0      2      4      6      8    12
Off Land Units            0      0      0      1      2      3      4     6
Start unit type 1         0      0      0      0      0      1      1     2
Start unit type 2         0      0      0      0      1      2      2     4
Extra free support        0      0      0      4      8     12     16    24
Bonus for each city       0      0      0      1      2      3      4     8
Max gov transition        0      0      0      4      3      2      2     1
Cost factor              20     12     10      9      8      7      6     4
AI to AI trade          110    120    130    140    150    160    170   200

Other variables
Citizens born content     4      3      2      2      1      1      1     1
Citizens quelled          1      1      1      1      1      1      1     1
Attack bonus vs barbs   800    400    200    100     50     25      0     0
Percent optimal cities  100     95     90     85     80     70     60   50

[Purple]

Be aware that if you start changing the rules (even something trivial like team colors) your victories and defeats won't be written automatically to the Hall of Fame file.

Many players don't care, but if you do, you can add the victory data to the file manually. Do a forum search to get the particulars.

[Dis]

I never change the rules. Plus I like having my files written to the hall of fame. It gives me some accomplishment at the end of the game.

I wouldn't recommend changing the rules until you are bored with the regular game.