What can I expect when moving up to Regent?

[bob rulz]

Is it a big jump to go from Warlord to Regent? I know this is where you're on par with the AI in everything, so it will be tougher.

Also, could you take a look at this saved game...vanilla Civ3 (my Conquests disc is broken ) I tried posting this on civfanatics but it only got one response, so I'm hoping I'll get more here.

Also, the guy that responded already mentioned the far spacing in my core (I know I know, 3 wasted wheat squares ...stupid me). I know this is the best game I've ever played and I think I'm ready to move up to regent. but I could use a few more tips here (if there are any to give )

Also, I'm probably going to be gone for four days starting tonight, so after that don't expect any responses from me for a while...

[Solomwi]

I can't look at the save now, so I'll stick to general advice.

1. Expect to lose a few wonders you used to get regularly. You should still be able to sweep most of them, but will probably have to do without the Oracle or HG or somesuch, so go ahead and start learning how to prioritize which ones to go after. Better yet, use this opportunity to break yourself of the Warlord Wonder Addiction, if you suffer from it (as I think most of us do or did at that level). Believe it or not, you can live without the Pyramids, and it isn't a good idea to hold off building any granaries because you're going to get the Pyramids in 30 turns anyway. Try playing a game with no ancient wonders. You may be amazed at how productive those cities can be when not tied up the whole time building the Great Wall.

2. Learn to exploit city spacing. Read up on various techniques, such as ralphing and zenning. Your REX generally isn't going to be as good on Regent, for the simple reason that the AI can REX faster, so you need to make it count for more. Learn the joy of the 4-turn settler pump.

3. Learn how to trade. You didn't need to on Warlord, since you probably had a tech lead from the ancient era onward, and you really won't have to on Regent, but it's a good level to learn on.

4. Develop different approaches based on your civ and circumstance. At Warlord, it didn't matter who you were or what your land was. You could forge ahead the same way every time and win. Use Regent to learn how to play to each civ's strengths and how to best exploit the land around you.

5. Forget about having two defenders, or even one, in every city. Prioritize where you need defense and use the extra spots in your military for a more formidable offensive force. On a corollary, explore different military approaches if you're inclined to warmongering.

6. Learn how to micromanage, and what level of micromanagement you're comfortable with, both in cities and with workers. More is better, as far as game results, but not everybody enjoys intense MM. If you automate your workers now, stop. The biggest skill you will need on higher levels is worker management.

The general theme is that you can still win on Regent without making these adjustments, but it's a great level on which to learn how to adjust for when you move up. You still have a bit of a safety net if you try something and it doesn't work out, but can get bitten if you just constantly make dumb decisions or don't put any thought into your game.

As I see it, Chieftain is for learning game mechanics. Warlord is for building confidence. Regent is for learning the nuances and refining your game. Monarch and Emperor are for getting a stiff challenge from the AI (and further refining playstyle). Demigod and up are for masochists.

[vmxa1]

I did not do more than a peek at the game so.....

As was noted the spacing needs to be tighter.

Too many cities in disorder, this is due to size 8 -11 not having temples/cath/colosseum. Many do not have libs. This with you having so much cash on hand.

Research is less than optimal. You should have gotten to Scientific Method to build the ToE. Then get Atomic and Elec for free tech to build Hoover.

I would like to see a few more civs eliminated this late in the game.

Raise the lux to use some of that extra income, at least until you can get more happy structures. You can keep the imported luxs with tech trades, if you manage them wisely.

[bob rulz]

Well, I was saving up some of my money for a bit of espionage, and the reason some of the cities are in disorder is because I'm at war (a war that will end soon, before I get too much war weariness). The reason I went to war with them is because I failed in getting a spy in their capital. I was thinking of raising the luxury rate, but I hadn't done it yet. Also, I think I have a temple in all of my cities except mayb one or two, but you're right, I don't build a lot of cathedrals. I try to get marketplaces wherever I can, and I sometiems get colosseums and cathedrals, and I thought that most of my cities had libraries...maybe I should check that. The cities far out to the northwest (former Babylon) aren't very productive, and I think Nineveh pushed me too far over the optimal city limit and the Forbidden Palace isn't in the best of spots I'll admit.

Now my question is, what victory condition should I go for? I've been thinking of just sitting back and getting the space race, but a Domination victory actually wouldn't be that hard, but what's the most logical solution here?

[UnOrthOdOx]

Is there a reason you're trying to plant spies?

I've found that they are all but useless against the AI. A waste of gold and a sure way to start a war. It's better to use that gold on improvements. Get those happy buildings built and you should be able to easily sustain 20 turns of war as a republic even at higher levels. If your war is lasting more than 20 turns, chances are you didn't properly prepare for it or something else is wrong and you should be making peace.

Unless of course you are like myself and prefer Communism even in vanilla....

Didn't think so.

[bob rulz]

Well, maybe not on lower levels, but I know that on higher levels tech-stealing is practically a necessity. Besides, why not plant spies? No one even comes close to matching me in power. Even if I attempt to plant a spy and it's caught and they declare war I'm still going to beat them all. Besides, I wanted to do some propaganda too, if I could ever drag them out of Democracy that is.

But my main question is do you guys think that I'm ready for Regent?

[Solomwi]

A couple of things...

On Regent, spies are useful, but only when you plant them and leave them alone. The best use for them is displaying the enemy order of battle and investigating cities during wartime. Propaganda, in my experience, is worthless.

Also, if you have several cities in disorder, chances are you already have too much WW. This is one of the main reasons I no longer use democracy.

[UnOrthOdOx]

I can safely say that I have never stolen a tech, certainly never NEEDED to, and never successfully planted propoganda. I've played and beaten up to diety back in PTW, but don't find that much micromanagement fun (I basically micro all day at work, don't need to in my spare time) so stick to emperor/demigod for nice, little-micro needed games.

There are better ways to get tech. Either through trading or through the sword on higher levels.

Spying is an expensive pass time that yields few rewards. Point is there are better ways to be spending the cash. Unless, of course you want the AI to be the one declaring war at a particular time. Then by all means let that spy get caught.

Doesnt change the fact that you can easily have enough happiness infrastructure at home to withstand a 20 turn war in Republic, and you should have the military capability to achieve your objectives within those 20 turns beforehand.

I haven't been able to look at the save but from what I'm hearing, yeah, you're ready for regent with the few modifications to your city spacing.

edit: ugh, me warmonger...can't spell...

[bob rulz]

Actually, I've got about 57 cities now, so a few cities in civil disorder during war in a Republic isn't that bad. People's views of spies and espionage are different though, some people can find use for them some can't. I've read several stories on civfanatics and here on apolyton where people were way behind and used stealing techs to get even in tech.

[UnOrthOdOx]

I didn't say they had no use, just that the cost is typically better used elsewhere. Vs the AI...

You can usually trade for it for far cheaper if you haven't totally blown your reputation to hell. Warring doesn't need to ruin your rep.

[Solomwi]

Heh, my current game I have 135 cities (late middle ages), and one city in disorder is too much. If they can be placated without crippling your empire, by all means, continue the fight. Fought the right way, you can withstand far longer than 20 turns. Though you should have the capability to end it in 20 turns, huge maps sometimes don't allow it, just for the distances involved.

[vmxa1]

bob rulz those cities do not need to be in disorder even with a war and even with some WW. My point is that you need to start making sure you take care of those issue if you want to move up.

Losing producion in a few cities is never a good thing.


As to the flavor of victory, that is up to you. Me if I have a bunch of troops, I like to smash a few civs. I may get bored and finish it with a launch with so many civs left.

If you have the UN allowed, you could gift a bunch of techs and win by vote. If you do not have too bad of a relation with others.

[vmxa1]

Oh I forgot, no need to use espionage as you are way ahead. I use it in a game where I cannot keep up like mainly a sid game.

[bob rulz]

I think I'm just going to sit back and wait for the spaceship. It seems like a logical choice.

Okay, so, I've created a list of things I should focus on...

1-Spacing cities closer together so no tiles (or very very few) are wasted.

2-Building more marketplaces/cathedrals/colosseums (I always build temples though)

3-Keeping out of civil disorder

The cities to the far northwest though are so unproductive I can't really do anything with them. I only got that many improvements in Nineveh because I rushed them.

Any other tips that anyone can point out?

[bob rulz]

Well, I am officially signing off now to be gone for four days. (No civ3 for four days...nooo!!! )

When I get back I hope to see many good tips...and then i will play my first Regent game. I may even make a story out of it if I can install a better paint program.

Cheers.