Multiplayer Strategy Guide

[blackice]

not exactly, ice.

While I see your point, my point is exploiting game flaws to "equalize" and or to win games is not exactly what PBEM is all about or MP for that matter. Nor is it in my humble opinion fair gaming. A trick as it exploit's game flaw and creates an unfair "advantage" or "equalizing".

As far as the production "trick" It is widely known and documented as part of the game. So it is not a flaw I think even the game designer commented on this fact.

Face it different moves and strategies win this game on an even keel. That speaks volumes for one's abilities and skill at the game.

Using hacks, cracks, bugs, cheats and the like just expresses one's desire to win at all cost's. Not one's skill at the game.

Maquiladora I stand corrected, thanks. I did mean online games.
I also saw that often more then not it was exposed and not freely shared as a community just with the tribe which they belonged. That accounts for the "cheat" factor and paranoia. Just look to GameLeague for a perfect example of this reality.
Many defectors caused many times of discontent in CTP2. I followed that forum for quite a long time. Had they used a thread like this I am sure they would still be an ever growing community.

The hard part here is it is a bug? what then should we do with it.?
Step one is complete the community at large knows about it.
Step two is we know how to use it.
Step three vote on it's common use, should it be concidered a normal tactic or on a per game basis all in agreement usage.
I think we agree it is a bug, most bugs here, if not all? Are banned unless all agree to it's use. I see no reason to treat these bug differently.

So in my tiny vote it is a bug and should be banned unless all agree before the game. Keeping track is easy as we have done it will be stated in the description of the game in the thread of that game for all to see.

The main reason for this is I have seen it's use in games and watch as an unfair advantage is taking place... I would suggest any and all players cease it's use until we as a community decide agreed? Just as Birdy suggested.

Math It is tradition for the most part that you start a new thread describing the trick and create a poll asking the obvious should it be used or banned unless agreed upon prior to games starting, you up to the task?

[Mathemagician]

poll on the bug/trick issue gone here:

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=1675922&t=845

[blackice]

Fine job here Math

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by blackice

not exactly, ice.

While I see your point, my point is exploiting game flaws to "equalize" and or to win games is not exactly what PBEM is all about or MP for that matter. Nor is it in my humble opinion fair gaming. A trick as it exploit's game flaw and creates an unfair "advantage" or "equalizing".

As far as the production "trick" It is widely known and documented as part of the game. So it is not a flaw I think even the game designer commented on this fact.

Face it different moves and strategies win this game on an even keel. That speaks volumes for one's abilities and skill at the game.

Using hacks, cracks, bugs, cheats and the like just expresses one's desire to win at all cost's. Not one's skill at the game.

Maquiladora I stand corrected, thanks. I did mean online games.
I also saw that often more then not it was exposed and not freely shared as a community just with the tribe which they belonged. That accounts for the "cheat" factor and paranoia. Just look to GameLeague for a perfect example of this reality.
Many defectors caused many times of discontent in CTP2. I followed that forum for quite a long time. Had they used a thread like this I am sure they would still be an ever growing community.

The hard part here is it is a bug? what then should we do with it.?
Step one is complete the community at large knows about it.
Step two is we know how to use it.
Step three vote on it's common use, should it be concidered a normal tactic or on a per game basis all in agreement usage.
I think we agree it is a bug, most bugs here, if not all? Are banned unless all agree to it's use. I see no reason to treat these bug differently.

So in my tiny vote it is a bug and should be banned unless all agree before the game. Keeping track is easy as we have done it will be stated in the description of the game in the thread of that game for all to see.

The main reason for this is I have seen it's use in games and watch as an unfair advantage is taking place... I would suggest any and all players cease it's use until we as a community decide agreed? Just as Birdy suggested.

Math It is tradition for the most part that you start a new thread describing the trick and create a poll asking the obvious should it be used or banned unless agreed upon prior to games starting, you up to the task?

Pete

Help me with my memory..but seems as though maybe a year or better, someone started to expose this rush-buy thingey, I was at the tme unaware, and IIRC, some folks got upset about bringing these things to light.
I, myself, think that these things that you and Math are speaking of, should be brought out for exposure so we all may vote to or not to use. I thank you again for your intellectual input and wisdom beyond all my years and as allways, look forward to seeking out the truth, and yes "Follow me" applies to all, including forgiveness.


Peace

Troll

[blackice]

Tis a great community we have here Troll and this one is Math's show.

I do agree 100% in chatting about this stuff, simply it makes for better gaming and obviously a better game community.

If memory serves me right with the exception of a few, the one's winning games with the not very well known at the time rbt, were the one's upset with it's exposure.


Cheers

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by blackice
Tis a great community we have here Troll and this one is Math's show.

I do agree 100% in chatting about this stuff, simply it makes for better gaming and obviously a better game community.

If memory serves me right with the exception of a few, the one's winning games with the not very well known at the time rbt, were the one's upset with it's exposure.


Cheers

Yup, I dont remember exactly who or whom but do remember the thread and thinking why NOT share with rest of us..

Thanks Pete again for your input!

Together, we stand at the precipice...and will build a strong community..

amazing as old as this game is, we still find ways to re-invent the wheel!!


Peace!

Troll

[blackice]

I hate to say it again but this is exactly where Gameleague and CTP2 failed and we succeeded.

Ok on to space nukes and pollution, if it is at all possible avoid going into space when you do not need to.

We all get that first space plane and or fighter and want to test it out right. I know I do but...I have noticed correct me if I am wrong but that pollution is cumulative. Right from that first test flight you get pollution increase for your civ.

From that first space launch on your civ takes a hit. Use them when you need them. Now add nukes to this mix as we all know your civ takes a major hit in pollution when you launch a nuke. If you have been launching space units before this well again correct me if I am wrong but it takes many turns more for your civ's pollution to come under control.

Make sure if you can you have anti pollution improvements in place well before you launch or nuke.
If you can get the sensitorium first that is the time to strike and strike hard.

Load space planes with units and at least one with all nukes and add space fighters in space. You can quite easly take over a dozen cities in a wide area with this combination. Drop a space fighter to activate air defence drop the space plane with the troops in an equal spaced pace from the target cities. Drop the space plane with the nukes in the same zone. Combine this with well placed spies, infectors, and any other muck em up special units and you can destroy a medium sized civ in a matter of turns.

Hit the target cities with the nukes and walk in. Now also remember clean up those scorched areas in your civ because when the flooding starts it is the pollution on the ground that determines for the most part what civ loses land the most. Remember also if you are at peace with this civ active air defence will not go off.

So make sure to break the peace with an attack first.

Now we know all this pollution destroys the planet oppps So be ready.

Now a nasty trick is to let the civ take back thier cities after this attack. The pollution then counts against them not you. This alone can stagnate that player for some time to come. It will take two nukes to remove a city from the planet, so thier capitol and or key production cities could be removed all together.

If you have two against one it is an effect point and equalizer as that civ will be some time cleaning and managing thier environment, replacing lost troops building city size back up, and improvements. You can now effectively go to work with diplomacy to stablize you situation.

Any comments?

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by blackice
I hate to say it again but this is exactly where Gameleague and CTP2 failed and we succeeded.

Ok on to space nukes and pollution, if it is at all possible avoid going into space when you do not need to.

We all get that first space plane and or fighter and want to test it out right. I know I do but...I have noticed correct me if I am wrong but that pollution is cumulative. Right from that first test flight you get pollution increase for your civ.

From that first space launch on your civ takes a hit. Use them when you need them. Now add nukes to this mix as we all know your civ takes a major hit in pollution when you launch a nuke. If you have been launching space units before this well again correct me if I am wrong but it takes many turns more for your civ's pollution to come under control.

Make sure if you can you have anti pollution improvements in place well before you launch or nuke.
If you can get the sensitorium first that is the time to strike and strike hard.

Load space planes with units and at least one with all nukes and add space fighters in space. You can quite easly take over a dozen cities in a wide area with this combination. Drop a space fighter to activate air defence drop the space plane with the troops in an equal spaced pace from the target cities. Drop the space plane with the nukes in the same zone. Combine this with well placed spies, infectors, and any other muck em up special units and you can destroy a medium sized civ in a matter of turns.

Hit the target cities with the nukes and walk in. Now also remember clean up those scorched areas in your civ because when the flooding starts it is the pollution on the ground that determines for the most part what civ loses land the most. Remember also if you are at peace with this civ active air defence will not go off.

So make sure to break the peace with an attack first.

Now we know all this pollution destroys the planet oppps So be ready.

Now a nasty trick is to let the civ take back thier cities after this attack. The pollution then counts against them not you. This alone can stagnate that player for some time to come. It will take two nukes to remove a city from the planet, so thier capitol and or key production cities could be removed all together.

If you have two against one it is an effect point and equalizer as that civ will be some time cleaning and managing thier environment, replacing lost troops building city size back up, and improvements. You can now effectively go to work with diplomacy to stablize you situation.

Any comments?

I will say this, you certainly have it figured out!

So you hit with multiple attacks at multiple levels, military, espionage,stealth and Nuclear.

Hmm..me thinks me has to go back to drawing board!

I do like the fact that this strategy has a **Disclaimer** that being that as good as it is, it will have major implications ifin you dont have something to combat the pollution factors!!

I remember one of my first game, and lost all sorts of my major coastal cities, producing subs,battleships and troop ships, then WOW! no more coast or shorline!!



Troll

[TheBirdMan]

Originally posted by blackice
IMake sure if you can you have anti pollution improvements in place well before you launch or nuke.
If you can get the sensitorium first that is the time to strike and strike hard.

Load space planes with units and at least one with all nukes and add space fighters in space. You can quite easly take over a dozen cities in a wide area with this combination. Drop a space fighter to activate air defence drop the space plane with the troops in an equal spaced pace from the target cities. Drop the space plane with the nukes in the same zone. Combine this with well placed spies, infectors, and any other muck em up special units and you can destroy a medium sized civ in a matter of turns.

Hit the target cities with the nukes and walk in. Now also remember clean up those scorched areas in your civ because when the flooding starts it is the pollution on the ground that determines for the most part what civ loses land the most. Remember also if you are at peace with this civ active air defence will not go off.

So make sure to break the peace with an attack first.


Any comments?

Yes.

Your attack-strategy is exactly what I do fear in Giant Bird - and that's why you find 50% (or more) of my troops scattered out in garrisons and on airbases more than two tiles away from cities. And WarWalkers placed on odd places where an emeny just might drop in from above for a visit.

So remember this: When you can "smell" the nukes, then it is time to take a great part of your army out in the fields - away from cities. Stack them in 4 or 5 but never in 7-8 or 9. Then they will be too attractive.

And never have a ship without active airdefense in the tile next to a city. It it a perfect goal. When nuked it will take all units in the city with it in death.

[Nimrod]

Anyone use city clocks or televisions?

[Mathemagician]

televisions are good if your opponent doesnt have hollywood. they cost 50 and give 5 per citizen, so for cities considerably larger than 10 they are quite valuable.
city clocks break even at population 5, they cost 5 and give 1 per citizen, but their large production cost makes them rather unattractive. i build them, but relatively late, when they take 1, 2 or 3 turns and the city goes above 10.

[J Bytheway]

The gold from both TVs and city clocks is increased by gold improvements, so if you have a marketplace and bank the TVs break even at 5 pop, and the clocks between 2 and 3. If you have an airport it's even better. I generally build TVs at 7 pop (when they are built the city's probably reached pop 8 and they give +30 gold), and clocks once they can be built in 3 turns, like Mathemagician.

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by J Bytheway
The gold from both TVs and city clocks is increased by gold improvements, so if you have a marketplace and bank the TVs break even at 5 pop, and the clocks between 2 and 3. If you have an airport it's even better. I generally build TVs at 7 pop (when they are built the city's probably reached pop 8 and they give +30 gold), and clocks once they can be built in 3 turns, like Mathemagician.

Same here!!!

Troll

[Mathemagician]

Originally posted by J Bytheway
The gold from both TVs and city clocks is increased by gold improvements, so if you have a marketplace and bank the TVs break even at 5 pop, and the clocks between 2 and 3. If you have an airport it's even better. I generally build TVs at 7 pop (when they are built the city's probably reached pop 8 and they give +30 gold), and clocks once they can be built in 3 turns, like Mathemagician.

yep. forgot that you usually have both marketplace and bank when you ask yourself if you should build TV and clock.

[checkMate]

When I first joined apolyton, I actually thought that diety level AI were un-beatable. They seemed to build up science "so quick" compared to what I could do.

Well I have been reading threads like this and it really has helped a lot. Last game SP game I played I one by 1400AD agains four AI on a regular map. The PG was an exponential curve the whole way. What a difference.

Thanks to all who spill there strategies.