how to keep more powerful rival on another continent in check

[dgrimes]

well, title says it all. The situation that spawned this query was a scenario that had Japanese and Indians on one large continent while I (Babalon) was getting pummeled by russians from the south and persians from the east. finally I beat them back and threatened their cities so I could sue for peace for my upset democracy. My troops were way thin, just aquireing gunpowder to defend myself with I began for 10 turns or so to improve, fortify, and plan the next attack. I also had some catching up to do scientifically as japan hed gone industrial and I was still medievil? I glanced at the other side of the board after a few more turns and blammo! japan had conquered every indian city on the other continent giving it capitols surrounded completely by production monster cities and no continental rivals.

I hd beed trading with india to support them some but wasn't ready to ship 2 units at a time to fight japanese on their own land. have I gotten to far behind?
-dbg

[vmxa1]

It is very hard to know. Can you post a current save? One of the key items is what is the level you are playing at?

You could win if the landmass you are on has enough lux and the needed resources. You will need to take over the whole contient.

Then out race or invade Japan at some point.

[Muad'Dib]

Ditto. Definitly will need a save to appraise your situation.

Also, don't capture all enemy cities on your continent. Leave 1 or 2, but have them surronded; no possibility of expansion. This will allow you to have a traiming ground for your units. Regular to Veteran and Veteran to Elite.

[vmxa1]

That may be useful early in the game, but I would argue that it is counter productive later.

This is because you don't have any regulars and no real need to worry about promotions. What you will have is cheaper research for the AI and more expensive for you with two more civs still in the game.

You will have to keep units on hand to prevent any sneak attacks and I just don't see the value in it.

[Muad'Dib]

It's a tactic that always works well for me because the Civ that I leave with 1 or 2 cities left is always the weakest and most primiative.
If you like I'll send you my current game and you can judge for yourself.

[vmxa1]

My points are that
1) I do not need any "training" as I will have all vets or elites.
2) they could sneak out if I do not baby sit them and do some damage
3) the formula for research is such that every civ left in the game makes research cheaper for the AI and more expensive for you.
So you may not find that to be in your best interest at the higher levels (above emperor).

One more thing that could come into play is that is they ally with a KAI, that civ could come in via their land to attack you. This is a trick I have used in many SId games to get foothold.

[dgrimes]

why is research more expensive with more civ's? and I guess I could do a print screen, save it to what? msword? then how do I attach it to this mail? just paste it?
and how does Nara stay alive with pop8 and 2cityfood and only 1 food on all surrounding squares? 2 + 1x7= 9food for 8pop ... don't they need at least 16 to stay alive? they are not losing 7 per turn and starving their pop down. why not?
pics are small and jap is dark, i'll try a paste here...nope won't let me.

[dgrimes]

sneak out? what do you set them on and how do you set them to auto patrol?

-questions questions - dbg