when did I go brain dead?

[ucla_vince]

Ok, I seriously suck ass at this game. I don't know how else to put it. I mean, I was never like a civ guru or anything, but I was at least able to win a game from time to time when I played Civ and CivII (usualy on Prince or King levels). But now I can't even make it to the Middle Ages without being dead last and having all the other civs in the game laughing at how pathetic I am. I think the game is great and all, but I don't want to play anymore because I can't get anywhere. I mean, it's not fun if there's no chance in hell that I'll ever win.

What am I doing wrong?

-Vince

[SpencerH]

Here are some suggestions.

Read the strategy threads.

I think that the most important thing that I do is to think of the AI as a human opponent. CIV3 AI is much better than AI's from any previous game that I've played.

Play on the lowest level until you get the hang of the changes. I played my first game at monarch at got wooped badly. My CIV was too small. I had no iron so I had to trade away virtually all my production to buy it from the romans. When I launched a pre-emptive strike against the Germans they came back and kicked butt using combined arms of artillery, tanks, and inf. That never happened in CIV2!

The early game is a land grab. You should expand as quickly as you can in order to block AI expansion as much as possible. If you have a choice, pick city sites with either strategic importance or that have resources. In my games, resource use is probably the most critical element. If you have em, you have a chance. If you dont, you're meat (if the AI has em). Therefore, you've got to get em. Strategic resources are important for unit production, but dont forget that luxury resources give money and happiness that can be traded for a lot of stuff and allow you more flexibility in what you do.

If you're gonna trade, TRADE! If you have techs or resources the other CIVS want, get your moneys worth (the AI will do the same thing to you). When you have the money and tech, set up embassies with the other civs. When possible, use alliances with other CIVs when fighting wars. This aspect of CIV3 is much better than CIV2. Its possible to set up situations where you sit back while your rivals beat the crap out of each other.

Have objectives when you fight wars. CIV3 has been set up to prevent the kinds of never ending wars that happened in CIV2. Use tactical advantages when fighting wars. Even if you do so the combat can be surprising. Remember, culture can be used as a weapon!

[Willem]

And don't underestimate the strength of your armed forces. Even if you're at peace with everyone, if you become weak militarily in comparison, they will pick on you and try to push you around. Make frequent checks with your Military advisor and if he says your forces are weak, then boost your military production. If you don't, you're going to be the recipient of numerous wars by civs that you thought were your trusted allies. They mainly respond to strength in the game, not reputation. If you have a strong military, you probably won't even have foreign units wandering around your territory, unless they're just passing through to get an enemy on the other side.