In 670BC, an Elite Horsemen produces the first of a string of lucky Great Leaders in this game. I then make my second big mistake, rushing the Forbidden Palace in Detroit, a city adjacent to the large lake at the intersection of American, Iroquois, Mongol and Babyloniand lands. In terms of pure FP placement, this is the right choice: it's the most central location on the southern porton of the continent. However, to take full advantage of the reduced Corruption I would have to subjugate the Babylonians, which I mistakenly assume is going to be a relatively easy task (at the beginning of the Industrial era I am still very far from taking on the Babs). In short, my lesson learned is try not to look too far ahead when placing my FP; the short-term benefits of reduced Corruption set up a strong late-game.
Not long after, in 490BC, an Elite Swordsman produces my second Great Leader. Not much to do with this one other than create an Army or move the Palace. I decide to sit on this one, as the war with Mongolia is almost over and I do not expect many more Elite battles until Cavalry.
In 330BC, the Mongols are left with two cities: Karakorum, the capital (which is about to fall), and Darhan, a coastal city that I conquer then lose to a Culture flip. I do not mind this flip at all, since it will be easier to contain the Mongols to one city there than at Karakorum. Below is a screenshot of the fall of Karakorum (I took the city's last defender, an Archer, with a Spearman!). Notice the hordes of AI units trying to get a piece of the action; through no effort of my own, every single civ declared war on Mongolia after I did! Also notice the Great Leader patiently waiting in San Francisco.
With the Mongols taken care of (and under my constant supervision to make sure they are not annihilated by some bloodthirsty AI), there is no more need for aggressive warfare, and so I quickly trade for Philosophy from the Spanish for a mere 101 Gold (I guess it pays to be the last in tech!). This throws me into the Medieval era. I then cut the follwing deal:
Americans: Peace Treaty, Right of Passage, 128 Gold
Mongols: Engineering, Feudalism, The Republic
I'm still behind in tech (Monotheism, Theology and Invention), but at least now I can switch goverments. Before doing so, I first trade 1122 Gold for Invention from the Babs, and rush Leonardo's Workshop.
Things are looking better now!
Not long after, in 490BC, an Elite Swordsman produces my second Great Leader. Not much to do with this one other than create an Army or move the Palace. I decide to sit on this one, as the war with Mongolia is almost over and I do not expect many more Elite battles until Cavalry.
In 330BC, the Mongols are left with two cities: Karakorum, the capital (which is about to fall), and Darhan, a coastal city that I conquer then lose to a Culture flip. I do not mind this flip at all, since it will be easier to contain the Mongols to one city there than at Karakorum. Below is a screenshot of the fall of Karakorum (I took the city's last defender, an Archer, with a Spearman!). Notice the hordes of AI units trying to get a piece of the action; through no effort of my own, every single civ declared war on Mongolia after I did! Also notice the Great Leader patiently waiting in San Francisco.
With the Mongols taken care of (and under my constant supervision to make sure they are not annihilated by some bloodthirsty AI), there is no more need for aggressive warfare, and so I quickly trade for Philosophy from the Spanish for a mere 101 Gold (I guess it pays to be the last in tech!). This throws me into the Medieval era. I then cut the follwing deal:
Americans: Peace Treaty, Right of Passage, 128 Gold
Mongols: Engineering, Feudalism, The Republic
I'm still behind in tech (Monotheism, Theology and Invention), but at least now I can switch goverments. Before doing so, I first trade 1122 Gold for Invention from the Babs, and rush Leonardo's Workshop.
Things are looking better now!
Comment