Frigates, Ironclads & Privateers

[E_T]

Do we want to start building Frigates now, or wait intil we can build Ironclads (at higher shield cost)?

Also, do we need Privateers?

E_T

[Shiber]

IMHO, if we'll ever need warships it'll be to escort transport ships with troops. However, we probably won't be transporting troops by sea until amphibious strikes become possible, which is at the end of the industrial era.
In other words, I think we've got plenty of time to make a decision, though it's best to start the discussion right now.

[Aggie]

Considering the continental nature of most war, I don't see a large navy as necessary. However we do need some offensive ships to prevent ampibious invasion, particularly later. Privateteers are fun to play with and they can be used to blockade a port.
Aggie

[E_T]

The Privateers could also go and hunt down the ships that are currently exploring and make them have maps with a lesser value.

E_T

[Shiber]

I'd like to argue against the use of privateers for blocking a port. I only see a use for such a tactic in the occasion that a certain civ is completely surrounded by other civs with which it is at war, and we'll want to isolate that civ to give it a disadvantage. In other cases, when we are the ones at war with the civ that we want to block, we might as well use regular ships.
Second, I think the war we'll be fighting against Rome will be an amphibious war. After we're done with Greece and England we'll probably skip Russia and take care of the troublesome Rome first, and we'll most likely want to strike straight at the heart of their empire.

[joncnunn]

None of these ships can be upgraded.

We are on the bigest contientant, so there's no need for overseas affairs.

I sugest that two Privateers could be used to sink annoying AI transports without declaring war but that real war ships can wait for Battleships with Mass Transportation.

[Shiber]

Some are saying that we should take over the Zulu gems to corner the gems market. Such a war might be worthwhile - after all, it'll be a cheap and easy war and we'll gain exclusivity over another luxury.
Our SMC may want to at least prepare for such an option, should it pass.

[realpolitic]

[realpolitic]

Originally posted by E_T
The Privateers could also go and hunt down the ships that are currently exploring and make them have maps with a lesser value.

:qUnless we go agains just galleys, privateeers have less then a break even chance it, we breakeven against the cheaper caravels and galleons, and even if we sink it, each tile they discover is worth only 1/6 gold, to one civ, and there are about 8 other civs who can go their merry way building improvements or military.
In a game against one civ, war need only deprive the other civ from developing faster then your civ. Against many civs we should fight only when:

1) We gain more than we would in peacetime.
OR
2)In fighting a tech leader, we deprive them of considerably more than the cost of building his arms.

As far as ironclad vs frigates, Ironclads are so close by, and we need city impovements, and prepare for war with Germany, we can wait, exept to build a fleet against Germany, if the war happens before or soon after Seam Power.

[roadcage]

We don't need these things. Our victory will be sealed in land campaigns.

[Meshelic]

In a war with Germany we would of course not require naval ships and it would be a waste of resources to build up a large naval fleet when we should be building more land units for the offensive.

I would really suggest that we start building up transport ships to load up and send off to Zululand. The benefits or cornering that market are staggering. We would be the wealthiest, most luxury-filtrated nation on earth! I do not expect much resistence there, either....

[joncnunn]

No over seas adventures. Zulu is too small to be a space ship rival. In fact of the lost civs, only Japan has the potiental to become a space ship rival, and that is pretty far down the list.

The threats are:

1. Germany
2. England
3. Greece

[Shiber]

I'm for taking care of Germany, England and Greece first too, but once we're done with them we can go and prove that diamonds are an Apolytonian's best friend.

[CiverDan]

I agree all our threats are over land, so why build extra boats right now. besides, the AI rarely build sea vessels to attack when it can directly attack you by land.
Both frigates and Ironclads have a very short life in the game and really don't need to be built unles your involved in a war where sea power is important, which is not the case here.

[Kloreep]

Frigates and Privateers will be outclassed by Ironclads before we could build a signifigant fleet. We may want to rush-build one or two Ironclads if we need some coastal protection and can find the money, but no more than two of those should be built.