Optimum map settings (for me at least)

[justjake73]

Huge

Continents, max land vs water

Avg rainfall (Wet causes Jungles to explode and cover 1/3 of the map!)

Avg temp

5 billion years old (4 billion leaves too many mountains - 5 billion causes the map generator to crunch Iron and other Str. Resources found in Mtns and Hills to a smaller available space, making them easier to find!)

4 civs

What do others use when gen random maps?

[Ironikinit]

Continents with large or standard land area
once in a while a Pangea
Standard map
Standard everything
Standard number of opponents, I think it's 6
Babylon Persia Rome or Japan for my civ, the others random
Start and restart until I find something I like

[justjake73]

I also start and restart until I like the starting position

- River that you cannot see the end or beginning of (so 2 -3 cities can start on it comfortably)

- At least 1 luxury in radius or in a good spot for my 2nd city for early exploitation

- At least 1 wheat or cattle

-Mix of hills, forest, plains and grassland (which must be at least 1/2 "shield" grass)

If I see Jungle I restart

If I see more than 1 floodplain or Desert square I restart

Picky? Maybe, but if one does not start well than the game is not fun!