Techs 3 and 6

[rah]

Or modify the question since it seems we've worn this one out.

How about Mono vs. Invention.
In the old days, people raced to mono. But now, people are getting pikeman and cats earlier which minimizes the crusader advantage. Mics, while nice, isn't considered the almighty goal anymore. People seem to want to get gunpowder and cannons and try to push the advantage then. What do you people think?

[Ming]

Well in our games... we have extended the life of Oracle... providing another happiness wonder that is useful.

I'll still head to mono if the huts give me sciences that lead that way, or I'm desperate for a happiness wonder and it looks like I will get it. Nothing worse than going that route and NOT getting it.

Otherwise... race to cannons and gunpowder before you neighbor gets them and comes a calling on you

[War4ever]

i only go for mono if i have too..pure and simple..to me its not a viable strategy, too many techs off the path when there are other paths i would PREFER to take.

but, its great for republic at any time and if you have the option of building it, better U than your opponent.

again it depends on the huts and the techs coming out of them...

like ming said, extending oracle has hurt Mikes b/c now the mikes/bachs path isn't what the second place person would go for

[Ming]

I originally thought that extending Oracle wouldn't change much... just make it a viable wonder. But it really has changed the paths people take. Mono just isn't built that much in our one night games, and it used to ALWAYS be built.

[rah]

I don't know. Even before we changed Oracle, I think Mics was becomming less and less of a priority. But it did probably help it down the slide.

[War4ever]

i think your both right.....but then again, in our older games that continued, mikes was the second wonder built usually....

now we war even more than in the past, so that too affects things, but i think oracle extension is the biggest factor

[Ming]

I think that if the game was going to continue, Mics would be back on the list for those that fall behind in the invention gun powder race... I still think that would remain the primary objective.

And yes... far more war in our games now... which is a good thing

[War4ever]

yes, but if we could get that second session in...hehe the wars would really close the game off

[rah]

Or if we just play a little faster or a little longer, most of them would be reasonably decided.

[Ming]

Knowing in advance that the game was going two nights or more would make a big difference. But, we all know it's a one night stand, and that kind of dictates you strategy...

[War4ever]

yeah, and that is the shame of it....its starts to get real interesting when the gunpowder units mass.....

i mean, ancient warfare with crooks/pikes/legions/cats is fun.....

but we all know alpines/cannons/rifles/dragoons/calvalry/artillery is sooooo much more fun.

then again, first to nukes is the cherry i always love popping

[rah]

Heck 80% of our games are reasonably decided by one shift. (as long as we play long enough) Even when we tried to set up a two night game, almost everyone conceded and voted to start a new one.

[War4ever]

oh, if you get screwed on the path to mon bad enough, tech six can almost be mathematics...which comes in hand very early in games

[Ming]

Originally posted by War4ever
oh, if you get screwed on the path to mon bad enough, tech six can almost be mathematics...which comes in hand very early in games

You don't have to tell me... I was in a state of shock when I saw that cat and archer combo move up to my new city... and it was early in that game

I assumed you got it from a hut

[rah]

Well if you get masonry early and it screws the path to monarchy, math may be the selection to get you back on the path.