Civ 3 Strategy guide is out!

[Andrew1999]

Originally posted by Jason Beaudoin


Good! I was becoming disappointed by some of the so called "facts" from that strategy guide.

That's pretty pathetic then, wouldn't you say? You buy a strategy guide that has serious errors in it. Waste of money.

I mainly bought it for the sneak preview value and to answer some of the lingering questions about the game.

I'm glad it was a waste of money in the sense that Firaxis is giving us a decent manual and online help with the game. There are some games I've bought recently where I had to go back and buy the strategy guide just to get fundamental info about the game.

[Comrade Tribune]

Originally posted by Andrew1999
Sistine Chapel: Doubles the effect of Cathedrals
Smith's Trading Company: Free maintenance for Marketplaces, Banks, Harbors, and Airports

Thanks alot.

The changes are not exactly revolutionary, but some fine tuning was made. (Above examples.)

[knott]

Longevity is extremely powerful...

[korn469]

what BS! why in the world do the Pyramids act as a granary in every city (besides the fact it was like that in civ2)? the Pyramids were much more interesting in civ1, and i was hoping that they would have some very interesting religious effect in Civ3...guess not, they are a huge warehouse again

well the small wonders are quite interesting wrt to their effects, the great wonders however

[Andrew1999]

Originally posted by Andrew1999

*The Manhattan Project was changed to a small wonder after the book was printed.

Changing a Wonder from Small to Great just requires changing a flag in the editor if there are any other interesting candidates. You could even make it an improvement if you want but then your computer would probably explode. As in Civ 2 there are several things you can edit that should probably be left alone.

[Akron]

Many of the great wonders have had their effects reduced, it appears (except for a few that used to suck, like the lighthouse).

One more small thing with the wonders. What are their attributes (like the civ attributes)?

[Andrew1999]

Originally posted by Akron
Many of the great wonders have had their effects reduced, it appears (except for a few that used to suck, like the lighthouse).

One more small thing with the wonders. What are their attributes (like the civ attributes)?

It doesn't have the attributes for the wonders--it just says "see Civilopedia for details." Most of the Golden Age text relates to using unique units to trigger it. If I had to guess I'd say the mention of Wonder-induced Golden Ages was about the last change made before the book was printed, and they didn't get all the details in time.

[lockstep]

Originally posted by Andrew1999
Most of the Golden Age text relates to using unique units to trigger it. If I had to guess I'd say the mention of Wonder-induced Golden Ages was about the last change made before the book was printed, and they didn't get all the details in time.

Let me guess - the guide doesn´t mention the possibility of playing with 16 civs on a huge map?

[Jaybe]

Originally posted by CapTVK
... Could someone explain how the exp level of units factor into the defense bonus?

Experience just gives you more hit points. That's it. It does seem that hit points are NOT "multiplied by 10."

Conscript (drafted): 2HP; Regular: 3HP; Veteran (through combat, Barracks or Art of War wonder): 4HP; Elite (through combat): 5HP

[ajbera]

Originally posted by Andrew1999
Changing a Wonder from Small to Great just requires changing a flag in the editor if there are any other interesting candidates. You could even make it an improvement if you want but then your computer would probably explode. As in Civ 2 there are several things you can edit that should probably be left alone.

I get the feeling that my PC is gonna explode many times before I'm through. With the level of customization available, I'm going to be changing a lot of things...including making many Great Wonders into Small Wonders...

[Jaybe]

Originally posted by UKScud
Can you write a little bit more about bombardment units?

Which units have 'random' bombardment?
Which units have 'specific' bombardment?

Precision Strike capable units are just Stealth Bomber & Stealth Fighter according to this book.

We have heard elsewhere F-15 also does it. Cruise Missle is not included in precision strike capable list -- but I sure hope it can.

All the other usual suspects in general bombardment: artillery, cannon, catapult, Radar Artillery (POWERFUL), AEGIS cruiser, battleship, destroyer, frigate, ironclad, bomber, fighter, jet fighter.

Not listing numbers (bombardment strength, range, bombardments per turn) because we know at least some of them are different now.

It's going to be [fun] or [worthless] to make all the changes in the lists in the book once the game is out.

[Jaybe]

Originally posted by CapTVK
Reading this I can only conclude that Civ3 is even more slanted towards the defender than the attacker. Take note that the quote doesn't say anything about the experience levels of troops. It seems a couple of Phalanxes on a hilltop will still be able to keep an entire army at bay. Could someone explain how the exp level of units factor into the defense bonus?

No Phalanxes in the game.
Couple of Spearmen then, I think they are different only in name (defense of 2, attack of 1). Lets assume they're Vets (4HP), fortified on a hill. Defense of 2+1+1 each.

Knights have 4 attack, so that would be even if they were vets. And knights only cost 3.5 times as much. I think an ARMY of Regular Swordsmen (3 attack) would have no problem (9HP of 3 Regulars) -- it would just take a couple turns.

I do not claim to know how combat works when there are multiple defenders, so I'll leave it up to your imagination.

Unless the spearmen were in a fortress, then according to the book the knights would be able to walk right past them since the spearmen exert NO Zone of Control.
Again, according to the book, if they WERE in a fortress (add another 1 to their defense) the knights could STILL walk right past them. The spearmen get a free shot at them (similar to bombardment, using their attack strength, I think), shooting their 1 attack vs. the knights' 3 defense for each square they pass through. 25% chance of snipping off a hit point each time.

[Stuie]

Originally posted by Jaybe
We have heard elsewhere F-15 also does it. Cruise Missle is not included in precision strike capable list -- but I sure hope it can.

Yet another candidate for editing if not precision strike capable.

Thanks for the ongoing info, Jaybe.

[Ralf]

What about railroad movement-bonus within your own territory?

Exactly how (once and for all) does an invasion into enemy-territory affect the attackers movement along uncontrolled enemy-roads? Likewise; along yet uncontrolled enemy railroads?

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And it would also be great if we could sort out the city working-area/ city border-area confusion, once and for all:

- Does a newbie 1-pop city always start out with 8 surrounding working tiles (= shield; trade; food), and if so; when does it expand to its maximal 20 surrounding working tiles? 21 considering the city-tile itself.

- Does a newbie 1-pop city always start out likewise with a free initial culture-border (8 surrounding squares) - then expand to its first level (2 squares out) after 10 culture-points? Then second level (3 squares out) after 100 culture-points?

- Important! Does wonders give cultural points to ALL cities, or just to the city there its been built?

[Akron]

Originally posted by Ralf
What about railroad movement-bonus within your own territory?

Exactly how (once and for all) does an invasion into enemy-territory affect the attackers road-movement, and also railroad-movement?

------------------------------

And it would also be great if we could sort out the city working-area/ city border-area confusion, once and for all:

- Does a newbie 1-pop city always start out with 8 surrounding working tiles (= shield; trade; food), and if so; when does it expand to its maximal 20 surrounding working tiles? 21 considering the city-tile itself.

- Does a newbie 1-pop city always start out likewise with a free initial culture-border (8 surrounding squares) - then expand to its first level (2 squares out) after 10 culture-points? Then second level (3 squares out) after 100 culture-points?

- Important! Does wonders give cultural points to ALL cities, or just to the city there its been built?

1) After 10 cultural points i believe.
2) Yes
3) Just the city in which the wonder has been built gets the cultural bonus. (But cultural points are pooled for the whole empire, but don't determine city-specific things like city cultural borders)