Discussion: a doctrine for the defence of our cities.

[astrologix]

Originally posted by oliverfa
....
Of course, said that, I also want to remember that the GL is more urgent than the GW at these moments. Specially because we have already choosen the Literature path, and if we don't build the GL this will be more or less like a wasted researching time.

But, being all this chat about wonders, I would like to know the opinion of the Chief Architext Astrologix.

Currently we are researching Literature (that will allow us to build libraries & the GL) and we count to have Mathematics from a trade soon.

As soon as we have Literature, we can start building the GL (or a Palace as a shieldbank). As said by Arnelos , the GL could be useless because currently we are trading well with the other civs in our continent (but what if we enter in wars against our neighbours ?). But it's a fact that having the GL could allow us to save our money for upgrading our military units or for rushing buildings under monarchy.

For a while, we couldn't build the Great Wall because no one is researching Construction.

I remember several GW costs :

Great Wall : 200 shields
Great Library : 400 shields
Lighthouse : 300 shields

If we start building a GW (or a Palace instead), in say, 40-50 turns from now (it seems that it's impossible faster, because any of our cities (Madrid excepted) could do this before a while) we'll probably able to CHOOSE what Wonder exactly to build, assuming that building the Great Wall (Construction) will be available in 40-50 turns too.

But it's clear that if we choose the Great Wall, we'll have to decide this before we reach the amount of 200 shilds accumulated in one of our cities.

Let's decide later...

[LzPrst]

ok. I've now completely revised the primary line of garrisoned fortress defenses.
Complete with roads/and possible expansions for new forts.
My personal courier has just recently left with this extremely important document and hopefully he will deliver it to lord Togas shortly.

[DAVOUT]

From size 7, walls and Great Wall have no effect. That means that they are build for the Ancient Age only, when 3 moves UU are not yet available, and when any threat can be met with swordmen and horses (in our present game, they would be useful between around 950 BC through around 400 BC, that is about 25 turns). It is why I prefer to build upgradable units with the amount of shields devoted to walls and GW.
The Middle Age is a different story; assuming that we have in 400 BC 10 cities and 40 units (10 workers, 15 in garrison, and 15 knights), we would be able to deter a Stack od Doom of a respectable size (I mean more than 15). When the war is declared, we cannot be really surprised. If we think that a surprise attack without declaration of war is possible, an extra five units must be build to serve as lookouts.

[astrologix]

Good point DAVOUT

[LzPrst]

Finally!

It seems my courier has fallen to wild beasts on the way, luckily he was able to desroy the document by eating it just before the bull sent him flying. He'll make a full recovery my herbalist tells me, in 35-40 years.
I have no other choice but to bring the fortifications map myself.




As shown above positions A,B and C are the plans for the initial western defensive line.

The red lines are the interconnecting roads.

Spots x and y are of strategic importance once city #6 (and eventually #8) are built.

If there is a need for garrisoned troops to protect Madrid sections f and d (possibly d? ) are possible.

Finally, when cities #14 and the much-debated city of Sierra shinies are built, the line should be extended north into the Sierras. I have not plotted such a line in as it is purely hypothetical.

Let me just add that we need to establish cities along what will become our defensive perimeter as soon as possible. This cannot be stressed enough. A line of defense depends on there being a line of forts on the outskirts of our cities.
As I see it, having an initial line of defense, lets call it "the jungle-theater of war" for instance, will make a war against us much harder as any army would have to fight its way through our forts just to get to our improvements. If they try to run past, theyll be skirmished to near death, and they have no chance of regrouping once inside our territory.
The only way to defeat us is by sheer totally overwhelming force.

[DAVOUT]

It seems that B will be overlaped by the next cultural expansion of ND Capital.

[LzPrst]

what? thats not possible. damn jungle I cant see their friggin borders... let me check.

AAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!!!!! now i'll have to revise everything! can't we just raze the bloody thing?!

[Togas]

This is an excellent first proposal. Please continue to work on this project. In the first phase, individual warrios will be placed north of the cities to act as sentries. Later, fortressess may be employed. Road networks will definately be used so that we can meet our enemies outside our cities to counter their maneuverability.

--Togas

[ruby_maser]

Hopefully, we will keep forward observers around long into the days when the "stack of doom" could make its way down towards our northern borders; however, even with forward observers, a military road network (assuming we ever get one ), and a fast-response force, I think city walls are a good idea for our northern border cities if only for their deterrence value. Unfortunately the terrain won't give them the line of sight needed to actually see our deterrent until they have already crossed our borders (assuming the border have expanded, IIRC).

Eventually, it would be nice to chop out a "killing zone" (as Señor DAVOUT termed it) between those cities and any threat. The jungles will just be helping them against our counterattack.

[ThePlagueRat]

Indeed, the lower part of the jungle is of no use to us...
- Chop it down after we have rexed enough and grown, so that we can spit out many workers for that particulary heavy job.


The upper part is in our interest, (slows enemy movement before our borders) and will rather be chopped upon by the NeuDem workers. By then, we should have made them our allies, if they did not fall into the GoWs nasty plots.

I know if we play our cards right, we can be largest civ on this continent... and hopefully the strongest too.

[LzPrst]

There!
Friggin neighbours

Locations for more forts in the east must also be discussed. (location f)



All the jungle indicated within our borders should be considered furniture on an extended life lease.
That way enemy soldiers will be slowed down when trying to pass our forts and can easily be counterattacked if they pass into our lands. The forts and the areas in between them outside of our borders should stay wild. Dont invade russia in winter, and dont invade spain in summer

[ruby_maser]

Señor Meneñdez, you might want to check, but I believe there is discussion in the Map Room about moving the city near the silks NW one tile and putting it directly on the silk resource. Just an FYI; the plan looks great

[LzPrst]

which one!? the west (#3) or the east (#6)

[ruby_maser]

the West one, IIRC

[LzPrst]

i think lord Togas has decreed that it shall be as shown in my map.