Most people, it seems, are reluctant to give out their strategy vis-a-vis a particular Nation. I can appreciate that - why make it easier for your competition to counter what you are doing? However, I don't foresee myself playing multiplayer online (I'm way to slow for it - maybe at a LAN party, but not online), so I have no such reluctance.
It should be noted that this strategy is geared for No-nuke games with capital victory (the computer uses nukes way to freely, and I personally find capital victory the most realistic).
First, lets look at the advantages the Bantu have. Much has been made of the benefit of an extra city. Equally key (or more so) for this strategy is the other major bonus: the increased population cap. There are also two minor boni: Faster Infantry and Citizens, and No Military research needed to upgrade units (Age research is sufficent). The faster units I can live without. The upgrades w/o military research, on the other hand can be decisive.
The Bantu Unique units aren't terribly special. The main advantage to the three ground units (Ancient, Classical, Medieval) is that they are cheaper. The Fighter jets are somewhat better than their standard counterparts, but not hugely so. Needless to say, this strategy is based on the Bantus Boni, not the units.
In a nutshell, what you are doing is building a hard charging economy which, from the industrial age onward gives you insurmountable military strength. Standard boom stuff, right?
This extra city bonus really shows its worth early. Your opening action should be to research Civic 1, spending any remaining food on citizens. As soon as you have completed civic 1 research, build two cities immediately. The question is where. Many Bantu enthusiasts and casual observers advocate really pushing your boundaries for the added taxation and increase in rare resources. Well, those are indeed benefits, but they lead to an increase in the number of military engagements, the costs of which which outweigh the benefits gained, at least for my purposes. Therefore, I strongly recommend you build your cities as close together as possible, allowing for future resource gathering. Note: if you are playing a Mediterranean map (and I think there's another map type with an Island in the middle), get that Island, and build a navy to defend against marine invasions.
From here, your goal is to get The Collossus, Terra Cotta Army, and Statue of Liberty. If you can also get Versailles, so much the better. The Collosus is needed to get you pop. cap. up to 300 Max (325 if you get peacocks). The Terra Cotta Army frees resources you would otherwise spend on light infantry. NOTE: This is meant to supplement your army, not replace it! And we all know what the Statue of Liberty does. It is particularly key in that, combined with no need to research military for upgrades, you get free upgrades on the completion of Age research. If you've made research your primary goal to this point, you will have a handy technological advantage over any opponent.
While you work on getting these key wonders, you should build a military unit here and there where you can. This will help keep your borders secure (Don't launch any attacks, and keep all your units on "Stand Ground" to prevent costly chases), and will provide the seeds for an overwhelming military force.
Sometime between the industrial age and the modern age, you will max out your economy. At this point, it's time to start pumping out military units (while being mindful to maintain you technological advantage). Before long, you should hit your population cap (which should be 300). Now is the time to attack. Assumiong you run your economy efficiently (i.e. granary, Lumbermill, Smelter techs all researched, meaning fewer citizens are needed), you should have an advantage of more than 100 military units over any opponent (I've had as much as 122 units more than competitors). With this military, you should be able to wax the floor with whoever you come up against. As always, try to avoid prosecuting war against more than one opponent at a time. However, you should have the reserves to repel any attacks against you.
One other note: when you have hit you population cap, it is a good idea to set your military buildings on to infinite queue. This way, you will always have a huge advantage over any opponent.
One last note. If you are following this strategy BEWARE THE EGYPTIANS! They will outrun you to at least one wonder. If you are up against them, make their elimination a priority.
Disclaimer: This strategy has proven quite handy agianst the AI. However, it has never been tried by me against humans. Therefore, your mileage may vary.
It should be noted that this strategy is geared for No-nuke games with capital victory (the computer uses nukes way to freely, and I personally find capital victory the most realistic).
First, lets look at the advantages the Bantu have. Much has been made of the benefit of an extra city. Equally key (or more so) for this strategy is the other major bonus: the increased population cap. There are also two minor boni: Faster Infantry and Citizens, and No Military research needed to upgrade units (Age research is sufficent). The faster units I can live without. The upgrades w/o military research, on the other hand can be decisive.
The Bantu Unique units aren't terribly special. The main advantage to the three ground units (Ancient, Classical, Medieval) is that they are cheaper. The Fighter jets are somewhat better than their standard counterparts, but not hugely so. Needless to say, this strategy is based on the Bantus Boni, not the units.
In a nutshell, what you are doing is building a hard charging economy which, from the industrial age onward gives you insurmountable military strength. Standard boom stuff, right?
This extra city bonus really shows its worth early. Your opening action should be to research Civic 1, spending any remaining food on citizens. As soon as you have completed civic 1 research, build two cities immediately. The question is where. Many Bantu enthusiasts and casual observers advocate really pushing your boundaries for the added taxation and increase in rare resources. Well, those are indeed benefits, but they lead to an increase in the number of military engagements, the costs of which which outweigh the benefits gained, at least for my purposes. Therefore, I strongly recommend you build your cities as close together as possible, allowing for future resource gathering. Note: if you are playing a Mediterranean map (and I think there's another map type with an Island in the middle), get that Island, and build a navy to defend against marine invasions.
From here, your goal is to get The Collossus, Terra Cotta Army, and Statue of Liberty. If you can also get Versailles, so much the better. The Collosus is needed to get you pop. cap. up to 300 Max (325 if you get peacocks). The Terra Cotta Army frees resources you would otherwise spend on light infantry. NOTE: This is meant to supplement your army, not replace it! And we all know what the Statue of Liberty does. It is particularly key in that, combined with no need to research military for upgrades, you get free upgrades on the completion of Age research. If you've made research your primary goal to this point, you will have a handy technological advantage over any opponent.
While you work on getting these key wonders, you should build a military unit here and there where you can. This will help keep your borders secure (Don't launch any attacks, and keep all your units on "Stand Ground" to prevent costly chases), and will provide the seeds for an overwhelming military force.
Sometime between the industrial age and the modern age, you will max out your economy. At this point, it's time to start pumping out military units (while being mindful to maintain you technological advantage). Before long, you should hit your population cap (which should be 300). Now is the time to attack. Assumiong you run your economy efficiently (i.e. granary, Lumbermill, Smelter techs all researched, meaning fewer citizens are needed), you should have an advantage of more than 100 military units over any opponent (I've had as much as 122 units more than competitors). With this military, you should be able to wax the floor with whoever you come up against. As always, try to avoid prosecuting war against more than one opponent at a time. However, you should have the reserves to repel any attacks against you.
One other note: when you have hit you population cap, it is a good idea to set your military buildings on to infinite queue. This way, you will always have a huge advantage over any opponent.
One last note. If you are following this strategy BEWARE THE EGYPTIANS! They will outrun you to at least one wonder. If you are up against them, make their elimination a priority.
Disclaimer: This strategy has proven quite handy agianst the AI. However, it has never been tried by me against humans. Therefore, your mileage may vary.
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