Mongol Horde Succession Game

[Old n Slow]

Yup, your choice -- I think that nine cavalry are within range. I just wanted your name to be the bloody one.

[-Jrabbit]

Have big fun, Julius!!

[Julius Brenzaida]

So it was up to me to make all the bloody wars and the shameful deeds !

1778ad Revolution, we declare war on Carthaginians. Caralis captured, we own Magellan. (it’s tough not to build riflemen to protect it) Speaking of protection, many of our own cities are undefended. I decide to protect all of them with a cavalry before sending more units to attack. Maybe I am too careful, maybe not. My feeling is that we have time enough …
1780ad We build JSB and go fundy. I plan to make all the science through trade with the Zulus. 198 gold with caravan to Basra. 138 in Ngome. We go for the big cash and start buying many units.
1782 ad. Barbarians capture Amiens. Zulus build Women’s Suffrage. 276 gold in Mpondo. We take heavy casualties but capture Panormus (impossible to sabotage its city walls without diplos).
1784ad. We kill some errand Carthaginians units.
1786ad. We discover electricity, refining next (aiming for mobile warfare and its armors). 172+210 gold in Ngome. We capture Cartenna.
1878ad. Counterattack from Carthaginians, they can’t take back anything. 152+154 gold in Ngome.
1790ad. Zulus build Eiffel Tower. New meaningless counterattack from Hannibal. 240 gold in Mpondo, 245 gold in Ulundi, 146+132+158+172 gold in Ngome. We capture Malaca. History should deem 1880 a good year, and not only for red wine.
1792ad. We discover refining, combustion is next. 176+284+385+184+354 gold in Ngome.
1794ad. We make a cease-fire with Carthaginians. 100+318 gold in Mpondo.
1796ad. We discover combustion, electronics is next. 270 gold in Mpondo. 172+178+168+176+146+154 gold in Ngome.

[Julius Brenzaida]

Here is the saved game.
Carthaginians are down, and with all the horses near their city, the next wave of attack should start very, very soon. And we are rich too, very rich my friend : 5495 gold. My successor shall decide if we build many factories (combined with Hoover ?) or if buy cavalry directly. Watch out to spend quickly before the Zulus demand tribute.

Oups, I was forgetting : there’s a food caravan in Aleppo (for a future wonder). And barbarians near Karakorum should be taken care of (2 cavalries already there). Umtata demands dye and Tugela beads.
Have fun !

[Six Thousand Year Old Man]

Yowza, my turn again. I'll get 8 turns played in the next couple of days, I expect.

[-Jrabbit]

Yowza yowza!

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' 'bout!
Great turns, Julius!

[Six Thousand Year Old Man]

Rolling now.

Thousands of pounding hooves thunder across the Carthaginian plains... the great Khaness has sent her troops abroad to secure additional stocks of lime for her poolside margaritas...

I see we're not Spotless any more... is that a problem?

Lots of incremental buying of units. There's nothing much else to spend it on.

Eine frage - are cannons/artillery/howitzers allowed? At this point, I'm not planning on building any Cannons since we have Cavalry. Artillery will be very handy when we get them, though, since we can't remove walls with Diplomats. I'm assuming they are allowed, because:

There is only one rule:

If it doesn't have four legs, wheels, tracks, floats or flies - it's not allowed.
(Since when did a Mongol walk!)
Only exception Settlers and Engineers are permitted

Cannons have wheels, and so do Artillery pieces.

1796: More rebels revolt near Khorasan.
Communism cancels Marco Polo. Naturally, we have no embassies with anyone (no Diplomats!).

1798: We demand tribute from Carthagines > war. Carthage captured, 193 g. Utica and Sun Tzu's War Academy captured, 91 g. We advise the Carthaginians to get lost when they ask for parley.

Dye>Umtata, 480 g.

Carthagine Frigate attacks our Destroyer, and sinks. Wood Frigate vs Steel Destroyer, one would think the outcome would be predictable

1800: Electronics discovered; choose Communism next so that we can build the UN later. This is a big map; the free embassies will make it easier to hunt down the last few AI cities.

Beads>Tugela, 216 g, Silver>Isandhlwana, 445 g, Salt>Isandhlwana 138 g, Gems>Isandhlwana 326 g, Hides>Isandhlwana 158 g, Gems>Isandhlwana 132 g, Beads>Isandhlwana 260 g.

Tax rates adjusted to 5.5.0 and 1 elvis hired. We'll try to squeeze out some more celebrations if we can.

Tacitus determines that we are the most advanced society in the world

1802: Hoover Dam in Karakorum.
With the loss of 3 Cavalry against the walls, Rusicade is taken from the Carthaginians.

Gold>Mpondo 240 g.
Kerman founded.
Science rate tweaked up a bit to get a tech next turn, thus avoiding having to delay Freight deliveries that turn.

Celts start UN.

1804: Communism discovered, researching Steel. Science rate readjusted.
We provoke a war with the Celts by demanding tribute
Gades captured from Celts, 61 g. Girba captured, 131 g.
Naples founded.

French start UN.

1806:
Coal>Ngome 845 g , Salt>Isandhlwana 236 g, Hides>Isandhlwana 136 g, Oilx2>Isandhlwana 236, 230 g, Coal>Isandhlwana 136 g.

An executive decision in reached poolside; 'Isandhlwana' will henceforth be shortened to 'Isa'.

1808: United Nations completed in Ormuz. Others abandon it.
Steel discovered, researching Automobile.

Coal>Ngome 198 g.

Leptis Magna captured, 138 g.

Railroad gifted to Celts and we decide to accept a peace offer, for now. Considered giving them more techs to get their maps, but they demanded Conscription, and that was a bit steep.

RR and Industrialization/Invention gifted to Egyptians in exchange for maps. Now everyone has RR... hopefully this will make conquest easier.

Issus founded. Cunaxa founded.

Zulus learn Amphibious Warfare.

1810: Wine>Tugela, 400g, Silver>Isa 440 g, Gems>Ngome 972 g Celts politely leave when asked for tribute

Barbarian Frigate sinks one of our shipchain components (unloaded, La Fayette! Definitely unloaded! ) offshore from Zulu lands.
Peasant revolt near Naples.

Celts steal Chemistry>war. A couple of units killed by Celts.

1812: Automobile discovered, researching Mass Production.
Tara captured, 50 g.
Hides>Isa 150 g, Salt>Isa 158 g.

French learn Steam Engine, Egyptians learn Medicine.

1814: Gold>Mpondo, 258 g, Hides>Isa 150 g, Salt>Isa 240 g,

Cardigan captured, 38 g, Iona captured, 58 g, Rhayader captured, 32 g.

Celts bribe Iona from us! and take Metallurgy.
Zulus learn Corporation.

1816: We angrily rebuff Celtic peace emissary
Gold>Mpondo 384 g, Gems>Ngome 384 g, Oil>Isa 240 g.
Iona liberated from Celtic tyranny.

Carefully positioning Cavalry to avoid further bribery, STYOM returns the ceremonial towel to the poolhouse and retires.

We went from 43 Cavalry, 20 cities and 'Strong' to 71 Cavalry, 34 cities and 'Supreme'.

We still have lots of cash, so my successor may want to do some incremental buying before pressing enter. We have a lot of Engineers poised to build RR's through Celt lands and knock them off entirely before they can learn Conscription. Good luck!

Oh, and Mass Production should arrive next turn. I was aiming at Robotics.

[Six Thousand Year Old Man]

I better not forget...

the save..

[sirsnuggles]

Oh no

Is it my turn ?

Dare I venture a turn, or two, or eight?

Am I allowed to come out?

I'll make my feeble attempt as soon as I can muster the next limp to my computer.

[Julius Brenzaida]

Nice work STYOM
Now we're back on ... tracks... with the true Mongolian way

[Old n Slow]

AAWwwwwRiiiight!

[sirsnuggles]

1816: Snuggles, winner of the horde-wide Mongol Idol Search, catapulted to instant stardom as regent.

We are producing 24 cavalry, indicative of an aggressive militaristic agenda.

Military inventory:
71 Cavalry
2 Destroyers
2 Cruisers
1 Battleship
1 Submarine
10 Transports

34 cities; 9,380,000 persons reside in the empire.

No ship chain exists, we possess only 1 freight, and only 2 freights are being built. Tax rate is at 50-0-50. Out of 34 cities, only 2 possess libraries. Tsk, tsk, tsk. That means that at this very moment the advance of science has ground to a complete and utter halt. The torch of science sputters in our hands. Oh wait…I see one Einstein producing 4 beakers at Karakorum. What a corker he is to produce the entire scientific output of an entire nation. Woo-hoo!

Hmmm, this sounds like a situation that proves my arguments concerning trade. At the current tax rate, even with 13 cities celebrating, our gold revenue is 712, and our lone brave scientist will discover a new tech every 448 turns! What a corker he is, a man to be admired. Now, I will adjust the tax rate to 50-50-0, which will garner 642 revenue in gold (no cities celebrating), and 147 science beakers (every 10 turns). You guys truly over-estimate celebrating under fundy. For your trouble, you gain 70 gold, but lose 147 beakers. Tsk, tsk, tsk. In fact, I would prefer communism right now, which at the same tax rate would garner 376 gold revenue (losing tithes) and 277 beakers. In fact, if we followed my policy of having libraries and universities (even if we only put them in our top 14 trade producing cities), our income would be 376 gold revenue (with an additional 65 gold in cost), and 439 beakers (3 times our current rate). That’s a lot of beakers. And, if these improvements did indeed exist, we could continue to follow our militaristic agenda of producing 24 cavalry without the resultant desolation of scientific progress caused by a dearth of freights giving way to military units.

I will recommend a fortnight reading my upcoming articles on trade routes, and the effect of improvements.

Purchased superhighway in Karakorum, which will significantly improve that cities gold and beakers. Our gallant scientist was fired.

Switched construction of 5 cavalry to 4 library and 1 university, to be followed by superhighways. These six cities (including Karakorum) will constitute our entire science output.

To fulfill the last will of my predecessor (STYOM) 8 cavalry are purchased, in veneration to the Gits 2 freights are purchased, and for kicks 2 engineers are purchased. Methinks, a waste of money. (Sigh), Yet, the importance of the people’s happiness is paramount to a succession game.

“Enter” pressed.

1818: Mass Production discovered compliments of Sir Snug’s predecessor (thanks!), Mobile Warfare pursued.

With the construction of a superhighway in K, science output is doubled in that city! The empires production now stands at, 670 gold, and 164 science.

3 failed assaults by Celt units (2 musketeers, 1 knight) upon cavalry.

Hmmm, foreign report exposes the existence of a remaining Phoenician city named Carthago Nova. Investigators sent in search of the fabled stronghold.

Okay, the remnants of a ship chain does exist, but will need to extend it to Phoenicia.

Trade route between Khorasan and Ngome established, producing 176 gold (interesting, our science rate produces 166 beakers per turn).

Girba resource screen connotes the existence of a Celtic city further to east, appears to be harvesting the wheat resource (perhaps Carthago Nova?).

1820: No military response from the Celts.
2 libraries and a university completed.
Tax revenue: 675
Science beakers: 177

Hmmm, an OEDO year. What shall I do? Isn’t it obvious?

Battleship in Zulu waters becomes a grizzled veteran while defeating barbarian vessel.

Hmmm, Phoenician crusader impinging upon Caralis territory, hence Carthago Nova must be nearby to the west.

Dinas Emrys discovered to the west of Girba.

At the expense of several cavalry Kells captured and 77 gold plundered. Partisans pop-up all about the countryside! In addition, enemy canons encircle the city.

Celtic suits for peace rebuffed.

1822: Literacy program achieving monumental gains: 2 more libraries and 1 university added to the empire.

Celts cannonade Kells, annihilating the beleaguered garrison, oddly the Celts eschew entry of the city. In reprisal, the horde destroys 4 Celtic units at the buffalo spot, 8 units slaughtered elsewhere within the city radius. Emergency fortress, christened the Kells Line, constructed at the buffalo spot to protect 3 cavalry and 4 engineers stranded in the area. Emergency MASH (barracks) units scrambled (rushed) in Kells.

Celt diplomatic plot uncovered and dealt with to the southeast of Dinas Emrys.

Celtic Naples (to the northeast of Cardigan) razed to the ground.

Mongol Empire becomes communist. Sir Snug dubbed premier.

Celtic city of Rhymney forced into submission by the horde, 57 gold plundered. Emissary ignored.

Aberystwth discovered to the northwest of Rhymney.

Carthago Nova discovered; siege efforts empty city of defenders.

Negotiations with Persian Emissary lead nowhere.

1824: Celt partisans slaughter Rhymney garrison, and liberate the city.

Aberystwth taken. Rhymney retaken.

Various Celtic units spotted and destroyed throughout the front.

1826: Garrison at Aberystwth slaughtered!!!
Sneak attack by Zulu’s!

Ormuz constructs superhighway. Don’t worry, SG, the Phoenician region and the city of K are simultaneously constructing freights.
Revenue now at 430 gold, and 380 beakers (tech per 5 turns).

Celt city of Merthyr discovered.

Celt catapult, canon and musketeer slaughtered outside of Kells, as the Kells Line continues to hold against repeated Celtic assaults.

Zulu ironclad sunk.

Horde troops occupy Dinas Emrys.



1828: 2 additional universities completed. 2 cavalry units slain near Dinas Emrys.

D-day for the Zulu’s, 7 Cavalry units disembarked near Zimbabwe.

Revenue now at 425 gold, and 389 beakers (tech per 5 turns).

Partisans slain near Gades.

Military outpost of Timur founded on the fringes of Zulu land.

1830: Discover Mobile Warfare, will pursue Machine Tools (aiming for computers: SETI).
Revenue now at 425 gold, and 389 beakers (tech per 5 turns).
Zimbabwe taken, Amphib discovered, barracks constructed, Zulu government escapes to Ulundi. Zulu’s sue for peace, offer accepted in exchange for the withdrawal of Zulu troops.

Celt partisans defeated outside of Aberystwth.

Horde occupies Armagh, plunder 100 gold.

1832: Canons destroyed outside both Kells and Armagh.

WITH THE CAPTURE OF CARTHAGO NOVA THE MONGOL HORDE ERASES PHOENICIAN CIVILIZATION FROM THE MAP!

For the gifting of four techs, including mobile warfare, combustion and tactics, Persians reveal the location of their empire—far to the south. Visiting ambassador appalled by the degradation of the great Persian slums. Looks like a weak and pathetic civilization (1 rifle).

For sixteen years, the idol of the Mongols ruled the land, however, with the extension of time his glamour faded, and search was initiated for a new star. And their search led to La Fayette!


Military inventory:
68 Cavalry
1 Armor (15 in production)
2 Destroyers
4 Cruisers
2 Battleships (1 in production)
1 Submarine
10 Transports
13 Freights (12 in production)

42 cities; 11,630,000 inhabitants.

8 new cities added.
3 new techs added
Tax rate: 50-50-0
439 Gold - 191 cost = 248 profit
397 Beakers (per five turns)

[La Fayette]

I should be able to play today

[Six Thousand Year Old Man]

The torch of ROBUST CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM shall not sputter in my hands

OK, I couldn't resist, ss...

1. If science has 'ground to a complete halt', how is it that during my turns, we learned 5 sciences (counting Mass Production, which only required 1 beaker to complete) and learned only one (not counting Mass Prod and Amphib, which was stolen from the Zulus) during your turns?

2.

You guys truly over-estimate celebrating under fundy. For your trouble, you gain 70 gold, but lose 147 beakers.

And get the extra trade arrows which vastly increase caravan payoffs... that's the point. Caravans are where our money and science has been coming from... add up the beakers and coins from my log Also, the shipchain was there... in the second last turn, one empty ship was sunk by a barb frigate. No big deal - incrementally bought, we could get a new one for under 100 coins.

3.

Methinks, a waste of money.

What else are we going to use the money for? We can't bribe cities. OTOH, in most cases I could incrementally rushbuy a Caravan for a lot less than the cash payoff for delivering it (city producing 10 shields/turn= caravan in 2 turns for 75 g). Plus the beaker payoff. Sounds like a good deal to me. And a lot better than rush-buying libraries/universities (bigger up front cash expenditure and much smaller immediate returns). And rushbuying military units is a good way to keep the offensive rolling.

4.

Trade route between Khorasan and Ngome established, producing 176 gold (interesting, our science rate produces 166 beakers per turn).

Don't sound so disappointed I see that after all the building of science improvements, you got us up to almost 400 beakers/turn. That's good, BUT - in 3 separate years (1800, 1806, 1810) we were able to gain 4 times as many beakers from trade deliveries. and in 3 other years, we were well over 400 beakers. To say nothing of all the cash we generated for rushbuying purposes. It would take a very, very long time to grow our cities to the point where we would even generate 800 beakers/turn internally, let alone 1600. And once the cities were that size, we could probably produce 4000 beakers from trade

I don't mean to sound like I'm sniping - I used to build a lot of improvements (libs, markets, banks, unis, etc) and now I'm almost completely won over to an all-trading style. You will join us too, I expect, someday... Just take a look at the Freight payoffs in the Barren Burbs game... several individual freights on their own, produced 1400+ beakers and coins... that's double what a Super Science/Trade City can produce. Many others were in the 500-1000 gold range, turn after turn...

Gabba Gabba, we accept you, we accept you, one of us...

[-Jrabbit]

I was wondering who would rise to the juicy bait sirsnuggles posted...

I, too, was a babe in the woods of Trade when I started doing sxn games.
Much detail still to learn, but my landing/conquest dates in my own games are pretty conclusive -- clearly a superior approach IMHO.

Well stated, STYOM.