2018-11-02 (c) Brett Paufler # # # Ice Islands # # # Extracurricular Activities 1: Future Tech and lots of it 2: Islands and Sushi # # # Let's say I win the Triple Crown if I have Fifty Future Techs under my belt and control... um, how much Sushi. Let's count it up. # # # Mine: 17 Fish, 0 Rice South: 12 Fish, 0 Rice East: 25 Fish, 5 Rice Far: 13 Fish, 0 Rice So, 72 resources or so, maybe more, probably not less, as counting such a complicated distribution tends to be difficult for one such as I. Thus, I believe I will assign the following valuations: Sushi Resource: 3 Points Future Tech: 10 Points With 700 being the target post game points total. Seems clear enough to me. 700 points equals 100.00% 100 points equals 14.00% 925 points equals 132.00% I had originally intended to have an escape plan, whereby I could kill the game if I was going to drop below a standard Normalized Score of 10,000, but I can't see the point. I can stop any time I like. But the score is what the score is. So, with the Secondary Scoring out of the way, let's move on to strategy. # # # In keeping with reviewing the map for long term strategies (something that will be verboten once I start playing) there are only a handful of coal resources (six odd), so there is no reason to found Aluminum, Co. And as tempting as Mining, Inc would be to found as a secondary choice, there are a minimum of the needed resources on the map (twenty five odd) and it's unlikely I will be able to control more than half. On the other hand, there is a large concentration of gold and silver on the Far Continent (South East) that if I were to concentrate my early war there, Mining, Inc might become viable. Mining Inc, Resources Mine: 3 South: 5 East: 9 Far: 12 Well, so I'll have to think about that. And I think that will be the last time I look in World Builder for any extra reveal of the map. # # # Sid's Sushi for sure. Mining Inc... a definite maybe, especially if I go after the SouthEast (or is that SouthWest... or NorthWest... or NorthEast) continent. # # # 2018-11-02 Settling my Settler in place on the hill will give me a double hammer city, which is nice. I think that is what I will do. I'm not going to pre-plan all my techs, but for the first few, I'm thinking it makes sense to maximize the extra arrow (extra prerequisite) research bonus. And with this in mind, I'm thinking: Hunting -> Animal Husbandry Mining -> Mysticism -> Masonry -> Bronze Working Pottery -> Writing Metal Casting Fishing -> Sailing Meditation -> Polytheism -> Priesthood -> Code of Laws -> Since I am beelining Code of Laws, I'm a shoe in to get it. Oh, I forgot about: Fishing -> Sailing Metal Casting As both: The Great Lighthouse The Colossus Will be important for me this game. So, I added them back into the mix... you know, which is why it didn't really look like I forgot them. Mathematics -> Alphabet -> Currency Music (Sistine Chapel) Paper (University of Sankore) Divine Right (The Spiral Minaret) But at this point, I am getting ahead of myself. As things will get situationally dependent. Builds are: Worker -> Worker Wonders as a Priority Work Boats to grow on And that should likely get me started. I'll need to do another strategy session at some point. But I think a Monk Economy is a must. # # # 2018-11-03 4000BC T0 As much as I would like to settle in place, my capitol will never reach it's full potential if I do. I won't be able to work the hills without building farms. I need that wheat. So, I lose a turn moving my settler... something my idiot forefathers should have known about and already done. Thanks for nothing, ancestors. Of course, I say that tongue in cheek. Three resources in the fat cross is nice; but four is nicer. # # # 2018-11-03 3960BC T1 Paris founded. Researching: Hunting -> Animal Husbandry Which should come in about when I get my first worker. Yep, worker and Animal Husbandry come in on same turn. Researching: Mysticism -> Mining -> Masonry But I think I will mix it up prior to Bronze Working, as I don't think I will need that just yet. And I'd rather have cottages or a work boat or two. But we'll see. # # # 2018-11-03 2920BC T27 My second worker comes out and it is time to start working on Stonehenge. I think I would prefer working on The Great Lighthouse prior to The Pyramids. But that depends more on the research situation at this point. Researching: Fishing -> Sailing Stonehenge is in. I really wasn't planning on building The Great Wall. But at six turns, I can't see not doing it. Building: Work Boat -> Work Boat -> The Pyramids I expect to switch to The Great Lighthouse midway and then switch back, as I do not believe the computer gives much priority to The Pyramids... one of the most important wonders in the game. # # # 2018-11-03 1880BC T53 It's a tough call between The Pyramids and The Great Lighthouse. I'm going to go with The Pyramids, as its both four turns closer (after building the prerequisite regular lighthouse) and it would seriously impact my strategy if I did not get it. Researching: Bronze Working (as I want to chop some forests, slavery is not important right now) After The Pyramids come in, I need to build some settlers, even if I hold off on using them until after Confucianism (or maybe, Judaism if I get really lucky) comes in. # # # 2018-11-03 1560BC T51 It is time for my first real break. If Judaism is still available when Bronze Working comes in, I will go for it. Otherwise, Pottery -> Writing is the better option. Building: Lighthouse -> The Great Lighthouse -> Settler -> Settler And that's about as far out as I can see at the moment. It would be very nice if I could land Judaism, but it's thirty odd turns out, which makes it a long shot. Subsequently, Judaism has been founded. So, I am much better off: Researching: Pottery -> Writing Skipping Writing for now, so that I can get the second arrow, first. Researching: Polytheism -> Meditation -> Priesthood -> Writing -> Code of Laws It would be very annoying if someone beat me to Confucianism and Code of Laws. But perhaps, not improbable. In the last game that I reviewed, I believe it came in at 500BC. So, I'm pushing it. The Oracle was built 900BC. I just checked, because I was thinking that might be an easy way to pull in Confucianism or Christianity. # # # 2018-11-03 375BC T100 Researching: Metal Casting -> Mathematics Building Settlers in all three cities. From there, in the capitol, I plan on building The Colossus and The Hanging Gardens. In the other cities, I plan on building more settlers, workers, and at least one galley, so I can start settling those islands. I need to declare possession of those southern islands fairly quickly: easily within a hundred turns. I don't want the AI to settle it through a glitch, some sort of miraculous ocean crossing. Other technologies are too far out to think about. It's that split between Optics/Astronomy and the Monk Economy. And personally, I think the Monk Economy will be a lot more important this game. Anyhow, time for a hard break: longer than the previous. Maybe, read a chapter in a book. I am very glad I got Confucianism. I might have been better off waiting the few turns and have Confucianism in the capitol. But, no. That is second guessing. And I need to REX big time. No doubt, I'll found another religion. And as I am not pumping out the missionaries, yet, maybe I will switch. Two Secondary Cities: Settler -> Work Boat (to grow on, then a worker or settler again) Paris: Settler -> Confucian Monastery -> Galley # # # 2018-11-03 50BC T113 I did not get The Colossus. Someone else constructed it. And as there will be no way to invade until after Astronomy, when it becomes obsolete, it is dead to me. That hurts. At it's height, it would have given me 25-50 commerce a turn. Of course, right now, that figure would be 1 commerce a turn. The good news is that I can make a settler, instead. Researching: Iron Working -> Monotheism -> Monarchy Changing course after Iron Working, as Parthenon built in a far away land and I'd just assume not lose The Great Library, as well. # # # 2018-11-03 580AD T139 I am throwing in the towel and calling it quits. It is entirely possible that I would win. However, it will not be as I would have it. It will be a struggle. One or more of my adversaries are trading, I believe. But even if not, I am losing important wonders to them. And on top of that, I am struggling with my economy. If not for Fail Gold, I'd be running 30% research. Calling it quits. Will try again. Hopefully, more focused. Yes, in a new file, mainly so I can scroll up to see my overall strategy easier. Also, this version of the game is done. And I was making special victory rules... # # # 2018-11-03 (c) Copyright Brett Paufler