OCC strategy guide updates - post feedback here

[Paul]

Based on the discussion in Vik's thread I updated the OCC strategy guide with the editing and expanding that Vik did and some more editing by myself.

As Vik suggested I started this new thread for the feedback. To start with, I'll first copy Vik's feedback post from that thread and I'll respond to that:

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</font>Paul,
I checked out the Strategy Guide. I think it looks really good.

Third paragraph of section 2.4 has a typo. Should be "two" instead of "rwo" in the 3rd sentence. I don't doubt what I sent you probably had some errors in it.
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Ah, a typo. I've just changed that.

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</font>One thing I learned reading your edits (actually 2 things): 32-shield base production yields 80 shields after the factory/power/manu plant? Wow. That's helpful, because I always just estimated. I figured 4 specials and two or three mined-hills ought to do it. I was just hoping for the best, and I usually got close to 90 shields this way. That will lessen the load on me.

But, when counting for 32 shields, it sounds like you are including an off-shore platform and railroads (even though these may not actually have been built yet). Wow, that's easy. 32 -- a number to remember.
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Yes, the factory/power plant/man. plant together give a 150% bonus, so you'll need 32 base shields to get the 80 shields you need to build your structurals in one turn.

And yes, the 32 base shields include the offshore platform and railroad bonus. Those shields are also modified by the factory/power plant/man. plant combo.

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</font>I also came into some personal confusion on the order to build a university, bank, and Isaac's. I understand better, now.
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I personally prefer the order university, bank, Newton but game circumstances may cause a change in that order, for example if you can get banking from the AI before you discover university.

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</font>I can't really fairly comment on the helpfulness of the table, because most of that stuff is in my memory. It seems useful, though, and the important thing is that new players have two ways in which to get help. Sometimes pictures/tables help more.

One thing I think we can add is some strategy on when exactly to deliver caravans. I thought of this after I emailed you my section. We say "deliver them as soon as possible" when in truth we know it might be more beneficial to wait one turn to deliver a caravan. This is if you are close to discovering the next technology, or if you happen to be in a period of anarchy while switching governments. We also should state the part about maximizing the arrow squares when it is delivered. Just some thoughts.
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Yes, I'll write something about that as well. Actually, if I'm already celebarting WLTCD when I deliver my caravans I sometimes wait until I reached size 12 so that I can get a larger initial bonus. But that also depends on other circumstances.

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</font>But again, looks great, although I am biased. heh heh.
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So I'll do some more editing in the guide tomorrow; I won't have time for that today. Besides, if I get some more feedback I can put it all in at once.

[Smash]

I may have missed it but is celebrating while building engineers to avoid population drops mentioned?

I think we have all become better OCC players with the advent of "fortnight".I know I have.Its only natural that a strategy guide evolve also.It is interesting that your system has remained basically unchanged under any circumstances.

[Huey]

Looks good, especially the table. Comes in handy when you haven't played OCC for a while.

On trade, maybe you could also include the "max out trade arrows trick" before delivering a caravan.

[Aurelius]

Huey,

Thanks for answering this question in the happiness thread. It's also good to trade with AI republics and Democracies for the one time bonus.

[Huey]

Aurelius, I learned that one and many others too on this very board

[Aurelius]

Wow, just got done reading the new strategy guide and am happy to say I learned quite a bit--like I haven't been fully utilizing incremental buying.

Also, as Vik suggests, "Sometimes pictures/tables help more." I'm not a good reader and find good pics helpful or compelling.

Thanks again

[tonic]

Yes, Paul, the table occref.htm is a handier guide/reference during play for us newbies. It's now downloaded and a hardcopy on hand for any OCCasion.

Could a mention be made about when to sell off the temple and colosseum as well (I assume near the acquisition of Shakespeare's theatre?)

Is a granary an option in the strategy at all(newbie question)?

[Genghis Al]

Aurilius! Hey ther, it has been some time. I stopped playing civ, don't ask me why. I do miss the old forums though.

I hang out in the CTP forums now, call to power is my new addiction. Nice to see you and Smash though.

[Paul]

quote: Smash: I may have missed it but is celebrating while building engineers to avoid population drops mentioned?

By the time you get to build engineers you should normally be in democracy and already have celebrated to the maximum population your food will allow.

quote: Huey: On trade, maybe you could also include the "max out trade arrows trick" before delivering a caravan.

Ok, that will go with the other caravan stuff.

quote: tonic: Could a mention be made about when to sell off the temple and colosseum as well (I assume near the acquisition of Shakespeare's theatre?)

Sure, I'll put that in the reference table.

quote: Is a granary an option in the strategy at all(newbie question)?

I don't usually build one but if you are working a gold mountain it may be useful because you won't be getting much food.

[Paul]

The strategy guide and reference table have been updated based on your feedback.

The strategy guide now contains some more stuff about delivering caravans, optimizing your science rate and the shield production.

The reference table now tells you to sell your colosseum and temple when you build Shakespeare's Theatre.

[Aurelius]

Hi Genghis,

Someone said they'd seen you post at one of the other apolyton forums. I also have to give up Civ periodically. I've never played CTP; too many variants of the same game. I'm looking forward to getting a DSL connection and playing some Mp though. Maybe we can duel.

Hackey sac hunh...

later

[Scouse Gits]

Thanks Guys, a great effort - I have spotted a couple of typos which I report herewith:

• 1.3 First sentance 'simular'
• 2.2 Para 4 'continueing', 'yhe' and 'An other'
• 2.7 'februari'

More strength to your right arms - a priceless asset.


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Scouse Git[1]

"CARTAGO DELENDA EST" - Cato the Censor

[Paul]

Only 'yhe' was of course a typo; the rest was caused by the fact that I am not a native English-speaker. 'Simular' and 'februari' were in parts of the guide that I didn't edit, so they have been there since I first published this guide.

Anyway, I hope that everything is properly corrected now. If you find any more spelling errors you might want to also tell me what it should be, because I didn't know that there were spelling errors.

[Scouse Gits]

Sorry, Paul - thoughtless of me

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Scouse Git[1]

"CARTAGO DELENDA EST" - Cato the Censor

[vik]

quote: Originally posted by tonic on 06-11-2000 11:58 PM Is a granary an option in the strategy at all(newbie question)?

Tonic,

Xin Yu proposed researching Pottery first and building a Granary prior to the Colossus. I test played his prescription and it looked very viable. Depending on what your special squares are, this looked very interesting. The debate is at the end of the following thread: http://apolyton.net/forums/Forum3/HT...tml?date=05:29

I'm not sure how effective it would be without having 4 whales, but it seemed quite effective in this case. It is something I would consider doing if I started on 4-whales.