Restrospective: Tribute to the Civs

[Yahweh Sabaoth]

This thread is here because Conquests is coming up and I think it's time we all looked back on the Civs we loved to love and loved to hate; our favorites to play as, and the winning strategies we devised (or learned) for them. With the traits changing, and (if you play with cultural linking on) the typical neighbors changing, my guess is that quite a few tried-and-true civ-specific strategies will either be out the window or up for heavy reconsideration.

Note that this thread is in the strategy section. My favorite civ is China, because I love Chinese culture and history, but I might put the Aztecs as my favorite Civ civ.

This thread is meant not only for cheap gesalt therapy, but for a chance for all of us to look over each other's strategies, and of course, for those too broke or adamant to buy Conquests, who will still have the opportunity to use these strategies.

[Arrian]

Tough question.

My old favorites: Babylon, Egypt, Japan, China.

New favorites: Rome, Carthage. Especially Rome.

I still like the old favs (my last two games were as China & the Babs), but I've had a BLAST with Rome lately, and one of my most powerful games ever was played as Carthage. So how to choose?

I abstain.

-Arrian

[Yahweh Sabaoth]

Ok, I lied.

My favorite Civ civ IS China... I just wanted to list an example from above, in case you're an Anglophile but you love playing as the Iroquois the most.

My basic approach to gameplay is "perpetual war for perpetual peace," or as some might call it, Ultimate Power. I don't just want to rule the world, I want to rule a giant empire of well-developed cities. I don't mind trading for a luxury or two, but I'd like to have the monopoly on at least 3 or 4.

For that, Industriousness and Militancy prove invaluable... I am able to archer rush my neighbors almost from the get go. Only Japan and India pose a cultural challenge (Korea does later on), and for the most part, they're easy to wipe out. The Mongols can be irritating, but they too can be swatted like flies if I start an archer/swordsmen/horseman pump.

But even if China lacked those traits - if they were, say, Commercial and Scientific - I'd still love China, because of the Rider :sigh: What a wonderful unit. In my opinion, it surpasses Cavalry, simply because of timing... the Ansar warrior is almost the same thing, but the Arabs aren't militaristic, and having hordes of elite Riders... well, 3 or 4 nearby empires AT LEAST can kiss themselves goodbye when the riders come calling.

Even if China is isolated (i.e., no use for the Riders), they're still industrious and can quickly make themselves the empire to be reckoned with.

So, my vote is for the Middle Kingdom.

[vmxa1]

I have to go with China. Well time GA, super UU, best trait.

[Verto]

Germany took my vote. Not the best civilization, but certainly the one that has given me the fondest memories.

[Dominae]

Japan. No civ beats Japan in terms of pure coolness. I also like cheap Barracks, Harbors and Temples, as those are the most important city improvements. Oh, and: Samurai. Enough said.


Dominae

[Arrian]

China is a suberb choice, of course.

In terms of raw power, China is probably #1. But I don't always enjoy playing them as much as some of the other civs. It probably goes back to my use of the word "raw." China pays full price for all cultural buildings, and isn't commercial. There is little elegance to a game with China. They're designed to kick ass, PERIOD.

Like I said, I've really enjoyed Rome lately. Partly because Rome is just cool - and Legionaries, mediocre as they may be as a UU, add to the coolness factor. And partly because com/mil actually plays right into what I'm trying to do: use my military to create a massive & efficient empire. China's traits & UU are more effective at the first part (getting the empire in the first place), but Rome's commercial trait makes that empire more aesthetically pleasing to me.

-Arrian

[badman]

I think that most of the times, militaristic is a waste (probably due to my playing style).
I like Egypt, its traits are as awesome as its UU (bad timing for a GA though since I love War Chariots and the Pyramids).
My list of favourite civs also include Babylon (great traits, weak UU), Korea (also great traits but I prefer religious to scientific simply because anarchy sucks :O ), India (my second favourite civ), America (huge maps only), and China (well, if I decide to go for some warmongering ).

[eris]

I vote Egypt, mostly because I get to be Cleopatra, Goddess Incarnate.

However, the Civ reason is the combination of Traits. I hate government change anarchy and love cheap Temples. And to conter any militaristic neighbors, I use the strategy of "I can afford to build a military twice as big as yours. In fact, I have already done that, so please, attack me as soon as you think you're ready." The only drawback is the Golden Age timing issue, which the evil programmers put in there just to irritate me.

Carthage is good for that strategy as well: build an empire big enough and strong enough that no one in their right mind would muck with you. (AI civilizations often fail to fit into that category.) My one try at milking a high score was with the Carthiginians. It was rather successful, but became a micromanagement nightmare. I used to like France for the same traits, as well as being Joan, but I like the Carthage UU better.

And when I feel like being more offensively warmongering, it's China every time. The strategy becomes "I can build a military bigger than yours and I am going to use it. Now!" This can be expressed as a variant of USA history which once had the "Good Neighbor Policy". I have developed the "Bad Neighbor Policy", which is a fairly self-describing policy and the details become even more obvious to my ex-neighbors.

But still, my favorite is Egypt. I can build. I can fight. I can look good in the process. I love it.

[vmxa1]

My Civ policy is a good neighbor is a dead one.

[Gufnork]

Egypt is my favourite. They have my two favourite traits and are a lovely civilization in this world. I really love mythology and even if I prefer the greek the egyptian is nice too. The early GA is a big, big, big problem, but you can rush for monarchy while building your army and then just swarm. They are dirt cheap and quite efficient if you unleash them before pikemen/knights. Just hope Greece isn't your only neighbour. They's be annoying.

Other favourite civs are:

China: Riders rule the world. Militaristic and Industrial is perfect for a war monger. I seldom leave Monarchy playing them.

Babylon: On lower difficulties. Scientific is pretty much wasted on deity, but I'm a builder at heart. And noone can build like the Babs. Culture power!

Japan: A lot like China, but builds better. A bit more hybrid. Cheap temples and easy transitions are lovely, but I miss industrious. The Samurajs are slower, but safer. Wars don't go as fast but I'm sure I'll win them. Plus, they're cool.

Iroquis: Mounted Warriors are simply the best UU in the game. Cheap, powerful, able to retreat. Plus, religious is always lovely. I could live without expansionist though, but noone's perfect. I'm disappointed they have no votes yet.

[Master Zen]

I guess my overall favorite civ is China. Just awsome to warmonger with. Who need stinkin' culture with Riders and cheap barracks!!

After China my pick would be Carthage. Awsome civ for both SP and MP.

Finally, an honorable mention goes to Persia because sci/ind is awsome and the Immortal is just wicked

[TheArsenal]

China was my long time favorite. On the larger maps the Rider is a near perfect UU and Industrious is the capper of civ traits. But I have been enjoying playing Persia quite a bit lately. The immortal can tip the scales quite effectively early in the game is a surprising long lasting UU if I feel like holding off my golden age until much later. And cheap libraries combined with the more effective workers is a hard to beat bonus.

[Kuciwalker]

Carthage.

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Civ3 Rome, PTW The Celts but Rome gets the vote.