Winning at Monarch level

[shclo]

I recently attempted my first forray into Monarch level. I was surprised to find that I was able to dominate the map, but got spanked on technology. All other civs were pumping out SS parts as I was just breaking into the modern age. The other civs seemed pretty willing to trade technology for money early on, but all became tight-lipped later and I couldn't ever get technologies off of them. Has anyone ever won the space race at Monarch or above? How did you do it?

[Yahweh Sabaoth]

I'm with you on the difficulty of Monarch level! On CivII the difference between Prince and King was minimal. Now it makes a considerable difference, or seems to to me... and the agression! Oy vey!

Then again, a lot of things about CivIII confound me, so perhaps I should just shut up.

[Inverse Icarus]

Anything below Prince, the AI cheats IN YOUR FAVOR.
Prince, the AI doesnt cheat at all.
Monarch and Above: the AI cheats in IT'S FAVOR

i play monarch because the AI gets a little boost it needs, and i don't NOTICE the cheating (too much). when i play emperor or deity, i can just SEE their overproduction.

[Wizard55]

I have won Space race 3 times in Monarch.
Twice playing as the Romans and once as the Americans.

What worked for me was getting to Democracy as fast as I could, then build up a good bankroll quickly. Set science at 70 % and leave it there. Yes you get behind in the tech race when building up your bank, but later on I caught the AI in 30 to 35 turns. I also had 1GL from an earlier war stashed in my capitol to rush space parts. So if plan to win by Space Race I save the GL for this reason.

[alva]

eugh Uber, it's regent, not prince

shclo, why don't you post a save game, and let us see how we can (perhaps) improve your game, or give you a couple of hints.

[Yahweh Sabaoth]

Hmmm, what really confounded me was the propensity of the other civs to trade science advances with each other but NOT with me. What to do about that? (especially in the ancient world)

[Inverse Icarus]

Originally posted by alva
eugh Uber, it's regent, not prince

shclo, why don't you post a save game, and let us see how we can (perhaps) improve your game, or give you a couple of hints.

[alva]

Hmmm, what really confounded me was the propensity of the other civs to trade science advances with each other but NOT with me. What to do about that? (especially in the ancient world)

Have you broken any deals??
Do you have something to give in return? gold,luxuries...

[Combat Ingrid]

The AI civs trade more and more among themselves on the higher difficulties.
The editor gives the AI to AI trade rates from 110 on chieftain to 160 on deity. Probably the main reason (besides the cheating) why you get behind so quickly on higher levels.

[Yahweh Sabaoth]

Originally posted by alva

Have you broken any deals??
Do you have something to give in return? gold,luxuries...

Well... I have to be honest, I moved straight up to Monarch after one amazing Regent game as the Aztecs where I KICKED ASS!!! So maybe it was too hasty a switch.

I'm working on Regent now as a variety of different civs, learning the complexities of the game, so I probably won't Monarch again for a while... I must perfect my technique and once again become a "Zen Master of Civ"

[CerberusIV]

Originally posted by Wizard55
I also had 3 GL's from earlier wars stashed in my capitol to rush space parts. So if you plan to win by Space Race it is best to save your GL's for this reason.

How did you get more than one GL at a time?

[Yahweh Sabaoth]

Originally posted by Combat Ingrid
The AI civs trade more and more among themselves on the higher difficulties.
The editor gives the AI to AI trade rates from 110 on chieftain to 160 on deity. Probably the main reason (besides the cheating) why you get behind so quickly on higher levels.

What do you mean when you say "cheating"? It seemed on Monarch level that the AI would just "catch the other civs up" to my civ's science level. Does it do this? I know it did on CivII, but I'm unsure about CivIII.

[Combat Ingrid]

Originally posted by Yahweh Sabaoth What do you mean when you say "cheating"? It seemed on Monarch level that the AI would just "catch the other civs up" to my civ's science level. Does it do this? I know it did on CivII, but I'm unsure about CivIII.

On monarch, science and production is 10% cheaper for the AI. On emperor and deity, it's reduced by 20% and 40%, respectively. That together with the higher tendency to only trade techs with other AI civs makes it difficult for the human player to keep up in science.

[Drachen]

These are some of my observations after having played perhaps a dozen games at emperor level. I like to pick a civilization and play once at monarch and then move on to emperor. One way to win is to play as a builder with, Pangaea, sedentary barbarians, temperate, and 4 billion years. Scientific/industrious is my favorite trait set. I think you may have success with the Persians on small maps and the Ottomans on large maps. Huge maps tend to lead to a more peaceful game which I like because it's more difficult than just smashing the less than skillful artificial intelligence and it makes the game epic in proportion. It's okay to restart the game several times looking for a good start position when you're learning. My ideal start would have grassland, cows, luxury, river, some hills, and an edge position without blocks to speedy expansion. With any luck you will be able to find/develop a strong producing center for your Second City. Max research wheel, alphabet, writing... start Palace in Second City... literature... switch Palace to Great Library. I usually don't build great wonders in my First City as it hurts too much if you don't get them, i.e., you can't switch back to palace and try for another Wonder. Find luxuries and resources and place cities to control them. Trade tech, non strategic maps, and resources/luxuries with other civilizations as often as you can. It's tedious but I will often contact every other player almost every turn to track where they're at and make sure I don't miss trading opportunities which will lead them to have a good opinion of me. Embassies will help keep them happy with you as well. Give in to their blackmail in the early game...stay out of wars. If you must go to war then buy alliances and let them smash each other. Control choke points and block access to your turf with troops after which you can make them happy with a right of passage agreement they won't be able use. Research what the others are not since the Great Library will give you what they get. Use your industrious workers to build a defensive road network, improve cities, and connect resources. Here are a couple of ways to get must have recourses outside of going to war. You can place a city next to a border resource two squares out from a rival's city and they won't even realize you swipped it. Trade for it. One time I chose to trade Caesar Nationalism in order to get Iron for my railroads...it ticked me off but hey...I'm a peaceful guy. Place defensive units in each city and build an adequate Cavalry for counter strikes. I like to go for the Sistine chapel or J.S. Bach’s for happiness and then Leonardo's Workshop for cheap unit upgrades. Sell technologies for as much tech and gold per turn as the highest bidder can offer and then sell it to the others for less within the same turn. When you enter new ages the scientific trait will give you scientific advances to sell and this will give you the money you need to keep your research high. Build production and happiness improvements in your cities even when the Military advisor tells you you're weak. If you have good relations with your neighbors they will rarely attack -even if you are weaker- and if they do then your modern forces and superb commander will save the day. Smash the invading stacks with cannon/artillery and then mop up for easy victories. When I hit the industrial age I usually go for industrialization first to build factories if it won't keep me from being first to Scientific Method. The Theory of Evolution wonder can give you a significant lead at this point of the game. I usually get Atomic Theory, Electronics, and thus the Hoover Dam from it (I once got my Egyptian Golden Age this way). Careful selling of technology will allow you to max research your way to Fission and the U.N. If you've been treating your neighbor’s well you will be elected and win the game. If I have been unable to maintain great relations up to this point I will often get everybody in an alliance against my chief rival and thereby assure that they will not win the United Nations vote. Some players will tell you that a diplomatic victory is cheap but I disagree because it's difficult to maintain good relations with neighbors when playing emperor and I usually choose not to buy all my neighbors into graciousness before the vote. Furthermore, if you're the first one to the United Nations then you're probably going to be the first one to the Spaceship. This is my Emperor's sketch and I hope it helps. P.S. Deity and Multiplayer are different beasts and I don't advise using this method to try to tackle them. Cheers

[Yahweh Sabaoth]

Originally posted by Combat Ingrid
The AI civs trade more and more among themselves on the higher difficulties.
The editor gives the AI to AI trade rates from 110 on chieftain to 160 on deity. Probably the main reason (besides the cheating) why you get behind so quickly on higher levels.

So... uh... pardon my idiocy but I have to double-check to be sure... the computer never "grants" advances to non-scientific civs just because they're behind?