2018-12-14 (c) Copyright Brett Paufler # # # Watery Death Take Two The Second Try And I was hoping so much that it would only take the one go. # # # In short, in the previous game, I did not build enough troops, so although I had my opponents in every other way, I did not have them in the important way... which is the way of military might. Let's hope I do better. # # # I will be restarting if I do not land: Hinduism The Great Lighthouse The Colossus We'll see if I play on if I fail to achieve The Pyramids. # # # I decided my micro was not good enough and restarted. So, weenie up. # # # And then, I started again. My plan is not solid. Time to take a short break. # # # I'm thinking I should pop a Settler first and land two cities in my homeland prior to expanding towards Bismark. That will allow me to focus Watery Death on the Wonders... and allow two more for expansive support. Thus, this is what I shall do. # # # 2018-12-14 300AD T103 It's not fair, of course, to play a map so many times. But then, I've already lost once fair and square. So, really, it's like a second place thing... or third. I wonder what a fair points score deduction is to normalize things. Eh, I do this a lot. And it's not like I am any less stretched out. Of course, I've got 90% of German's power. Nope. Or should that be 'Yikes!' I was looking at score. 90% Score 50% Power I need to change that, once again, as I am crowding Bismark something fierce. Still, another round of Settlers is coming out prior to any military. But after that, I should build some military. # # # 2018-12-14 50AD T117 I have more cities this time. I would say my position feels better. But that might have a lot more to do with trusting in Bismark's peaceful nature. I'm at about 50% his power, so moving in the wrong direction. But I am not stressed about an attack. The three cities that are on his border are dedicated to pumping out troops, at this point. I don't have to worry about the Cultural War, as he does not fight it. I got the choke city up north, this time. But he may get the second beaver location. The important thing is that I got the wonders I wanted: Hinduism The Great Lighthouse The Colossus The Pyramids I just revolted into my Post Pyramid Civics. My first thought was that, maybe, I should have waited the turn until I got a Great Person and launched a Golden Age. But no, that {a Golden Age} will be worth more later. # # # 2018-12-14 940AD T157 The biggest news is that I have decided to build The Great Library prior to The Sistine Chapel: mainly, because I think the Great Person Points from the two free scientists will be worth more in the long run. I have both: Mausoleum of Maussollos (longer Golden Age, 12-Turns in lieu of 8-Turns) Parthenon (+50% Great Person Points) So, my Golden Ages shall truly rock. It would be nice to get: Great Library Monk Economy University Sankore Sistine Chapel Spiral Minaret But I doubt I will reload if I fail. Note the hedge. It really matters how big the fail is when I fail. I believe I have a good chance at getting all four, as the AI does not put much priority on them. I landed the Great Artist from researching Music first. Once again, because I'm lagging in military techs. Also, Germany does not seem to like me as much this game. Bismark Diplo: +1 +1 -1 = +1 So, I gifted him Alphabet, as I want that to be much higher. Bismark Diplo (post Alphabet gift): +1 +1 +2 -1 = +3 As much as I'd like to start a Golden Age, it doesn't make sense until I have all the National Epic completed, as well. And that is going to take the back seat to the Monk Economy Wonders, so another fifty turns or so... and then, Great Wonder Marathon. # # # 2018-12-15 1000AD T160 I have been much more liberal in applying the whip. Rather than waiting for the count to go to zero, I've been whipping about as soon as I can... it's a more complicated mix. Anyhow, whipping the cities down, then settling them in to building Settlers or Workers as their happiness recovers. Or in other words, as long as the city can take the unhappiness hit (and a low pop city usually can... or can at this point in the game), I get the use of the building a half dozen turns sooner if I whip right away. One of these days, I need to crack the save games and see when the various wonders tend to be built. I am in a race for the Monk Wonders (and The Great Library) and it would be nice to know where (on average) I stand. # # # 2018-12-15 1020AD T162 Seriously, whipping like crazy. I just whipped The Great Library (5 pop for 1 turn in lieu of 4 turns, assuming I remember correctly). Like I said, I am concerned about the race. And the next wonder in line is The Sistine Chapel, which might come in at no greater time... as I'll be working on it that much sooner. I should get close to a population point a turn in growth. The first Great Person I got was an Engineer. I settled them, which may be a mistake. I'll probably be lucky to land another one prior to reaching Mining, Inc. # # # 2018-12-15 1290AD T189 I got lucky, despite the odds, I popped a Great Engineer. The next Great Person (or two) that I need are Great Prophets. I will save this Engineer for Mining, Inc a long hundred plus turns out. Just like I will always keep an extra Great Merchant for Sid's Sushi, at this point. Actually, I have quite the horde of Great People, right now: four of them. But it is not time to start the Golden Ages, quite yet. I want the Heroic Epic in, first. Two Caravels are out circling the Globe. Hopefully, Islam will land next turn. In some ways, I am a little behind from last game. I declared war on Spain in two turns {last game}. So, I'd circled the globe completely by then. Still, I think this game is stronger. Bismark Diplo: +1 +1 +2 -2 = +2 We do not share a religion, yet. Hopefully, we will soon. But I likely need that Great Prophet for that. On the brighter side, my raw power is roughly 90% of his, so he has not made any demands. I've turned Deutche Land into a Great Prophet production city (three priests), which I do not intend to pollute with any other specialists... at least for now. Also, because I want to run specialists in this city, I am taking it off Settler production duty. I need a lot more Settlers. With Optics, it is time to settle the Mainland: also known as The Islamic West. So, if Hinduism is The Great Wind, Islam shall be the Nightlands... well, maybe. Researching: Nationalism (for the Taj Mahal and a Golden Age, the first of many) -> Banking (for Mercantillism and as a prerequisite for Economics, as the Post-Education Research Bonanza is next, after that) I'll give a Score/Diplo update after I have contacted everyone. Who knows? Maybe I will be in first place by then, right now Charlemagne leads by a city or two. # # # 2018-12-15 1390AD T199 All the Monk Economy Wonders are in. I, maybe, traded Divine Right away to Ramesses a bit prematurely, but I was afraid the trade window would close: that he would decide trading with me was a bad idea. I paid Isabella 130 gold last turn for peace {for a Peace Treaty, no war}. So, I'm going the opposite route of last game. It is a small price. I will pre-build the Taj Mahal and put off triggering the Golden Age, as long as possible. I'm starting the final REX... and every half-dozen turns is another city... maybe more. Germany is losing the culture war in a big way this game. Knowing he would not fight, I was even more aggressive {in my city settling}. And I'm still building tons of troops... by my standards, anyway. I only have graphs on him. But I remain at 90% his power. Obviously, not enough to scare Isabella. But she doesn't have Optics, yet. So, the is no real threat. Also, I nabbed another Great Engineer. Lucky, I guess. The odds were under 10%. I settled him, as Watery Death is hammer poor. Though, the plan is endless Golden Ages. But like I said, I am delaying the start of those Golden Ages, as long as possible. Production: 2 Wonders (Deutche Land is my second Great Person City) 2 Settlers (well, one worker, one settler, this will increase to three cities pushing out settlers, soon) 2 Units 8 Buildings I'm happy enough with that ratio. Though, I may wish to add another city pushing the navy... and add one to the units before long. I haven't really compared the two. But this game feels much more solid than the last. I am much more in control. # # # 2018-12-15 1440AD T205 I have made contact with all my competitors... and am feeling a bit nervous about my chances of getting it all, you know, the Education Bonus Techs and The Statue of Liberty, so time for two or three Golden Ages. Charlemagne looks just as eager for war this time, so I need more troops: probably twice what I have... and I still have the whole Continent Behind the Mountain to Settle. So, a Golden Age. I spent a Great Artist, so cheap by any measure, as I'm clobbering Germany in the Cultural War {and thus, have little need for a Great Artist}. The Taj Mahal in 5-Turns out, assuming Charlemagne does not get it, as he recently researched Nationalism. With any luck, I have enough of a head start. # # # 2018-12-15 1520AD T214 Bismark and I both have about the same power, while Caesar and Charlemagne both have about twice our power. It's no wonder Charlemagne attacked last game, he had (easily) 4-5x my power. To fix that, I am switching my Settler Cities over to troops. So, plans for another twenty odd units over the next forty turns. It's not enough. I need to double that, again. In other news, I dominate in tech; so if I stay alive, I win. # # # 2018-12-15 1560AD T222 And that's it for a rather long day of play. Time to watch Game of Thrones in a bit, as if my life weren't easy enough already. I lost out on Versailles a few turns back. But ironically, Spain built it. And Spain is, of course, on my short list of who to attack in fifty odd turns. So, I should thank Isabella for reducing my maintenance costs once I invade her. Since I met everyone first, I became the bad guy. Well, I don't know if that is the technical reason {or how it works}. But both Isabella and Charlemagne consider me to be their worst enemy. I will not be able to attack Isabella until I have way more power than Charlemagne. There are seven turns remaining in my Double Golden Age. And I will have, at least, two more Golden Ages before all is said and done. I want to found Mining, Inc, first {before I launch those Golden Ages}, just to make sure my Great Engineer is not consumed... and because, why not? I want all of the Post Scientific Method Research Bonuses. I've got to find a shorter name for that. Nobody has either Astronomy or Chemistry, so I am safe for now. Well, no one has Printing Press, either; so, I am doubly safe. {All of those techs being pre-requisites to research Scientific Method.} Researching: Gunpowder (mostly because others already have it) -> Chemistry -> Steel (cannons rock) -> Replaceable Parts -> Rifling (rifles will be nice) -> Steam Power -> Railroad Railroad is the prize. I will found Mining, Inc. Well, I have to research Corporations, first. But that's when I will research Corporation (and not before), as Corporation obsoletes The Great Lighthouse. Also, Machine Gunners will make me too expensive to attack. We'll see how the technological landscape looks on the way, as I do want the Great People from both Communism and Physics... and all the Electricity Wonders, to boot. Yes, I am a greedy one. The Statue of Liberty is mine, as no one has Constitution (much less, Democracy). Espionage wise, I am dumping everything into Charlemagne. I've had charts on him enough to know he's at least twice as powerful as Bismark... but probably even more. If not me, he will be attacking someone else. And I want it either to be someone else or easy Combat Experience for myself. Speaking of which... Building 1 Wonder 9 Buildings 9 Units 1 Work Boat Soon enough, one city in the New West (hey, that's a good name) will be dedicated to cranking out Settlers. And soon enough, I will be granting Bismark Open Borders. So, I just got done dedicating two more cities to settlers (new cities), once they complete a terrace and a courthouse (respectively). Here's the Diplomatic Report I promised so long ago: Incan 1454: me Egyptian 1355: +1 Holy Roman 1297: -4 Roman 1230: +4 Spanish 1196: -3 Korean 848: +0 German 782: +3 Ironic that I declared on Caesar last game and he likes me the most this game. I've got 20-40 Turns until Charlemagne attacks {based on the timing from last game}. Well, maybe longer than that. Nope {as I just checked}, I actually don't have that long. I have twenty turns (judging by last game). Maybe not even that. I need more troops. And now. # # # Even more troops! Twenty Turns! # # # 2018-12-16 1560AD T222 I believe Charlemagne is going to attack in twenty turns. But I am not ready for an attack. So: Gift Charlemagne a tech or two Put 75% of my cities into unit production Three cities into building Caravels Scout out his lands with Caravels I've had my Caravels on auto-pilot Let's see what happens. Oh, I have 75 Units Total including Workers, Settlers, Missionaries, and everything. Finally, I just looked at what I could gift Charlemagne and I am not giving him a 2000 beaker tech that leads to anything I covet. Sorry, if that means war, then let's have at it. # # # 2018-12-16 1610AD T232 Julius Caesar has adopted Hinduism: my state religion. And he has discovered Astronomy. He is the first {even before me}. He, also, likes me (+4, the same as Germany). So, I started trading some resources with him (at very favourable terms). # # # 2018-12-16 1635AD T237 Folks must have discovered Economics, because everyone is running Mercantillism; which means, they all (every last one of them) cancelled Open Border agreements. Three more cites (one on the German Continent) and no one will be able to settle my frontiers without an Open Border Agreement. So, Open Borders to Germany in a turn or two... or this turn. I have Open Borders with: Bismark Wang Kon I'm, also, not as concerned with an attack, as I once was. So, I am pulling back from the military. When I go into a Golden Age, I will revert to my normal behaviour and run Organized Religion. I should probably pump out a few more troops between now and then... # # # 2018-12-16 1720AD T254 The Golden Age of Mining I founded Mining, Inc in the capitol: Watery Death. I launched a Golden Age. Mining, Inc will not be as powerful as it was in the last game {Ice Islands}. At the moment, I have six of the appropriate resources, yielding: +6 hammers -6 gold per city with Mining, Inc presently, only the capitol Still, that six is more {hammers} than about a third of my cities presently have. And since the capitol will get +4 gold per city with Mining, Inc, the upkeep cost isn't too severe {+4 -6 = 2 gold for six hammers}. Researching: Military Tradition (for a possible Defensive Pact with Germany) -> Scientific Method (because that is the direction victory lies) Scientific Method kills a bunch of my Wonders & Buildings, but what is a person to do. I revolted into Pacifism to start the Golden Age, I will change back at the end and switch to Free Market. Civics: Representation Bureaucracy Slavery Merchantillism Pacifism I should pop two Great People in Watery Death and one more in Deutche Land {during the Golden Age}. I hope the one in Deutche Land is a Great Prophet. After fifteen Great People, I still have not landed a Great Prophet. I have no idea how Defensive Pacts work, as there is no option (that I see) for a Defensive Pact in the Trade Screen for the two civilizations who have Military Tradition (Rome & Egypt). Sorry, Spain has Military Tradition, as well. {Post game, I would guess a Defensive Pact has to be initiated by the AI, a human player cannot offer it.} Researching: Military Tradition -> Assembly Line (for Infantry) -> Scientific Method Currently, I have 119 units... some (very few of them) modern. If anyone attacks (no ships are in-transit, I just checked: I have a few Caravels -- 19 -- in a defensive screen), I will be easy to bloody. But I think the war will go my way. Current Production 1 Mining, Inc Executive 2 Settlers 5 Units 1 Knight 2 Ironclads 2 Machine Guns 21 Buildings And believe it or not, that feels safe enough at the moment: not enough to declare war and fight a battle, but to stave off AI aggression for a few more turns, I think that is enough. I am, also, using my spare coin to upgrade units. Modern-ish Units 8 Riflemen 3 Cannon 2 Machine Guns 1 Ironclad I have three Specialist Cities going (primarily working on Great People). I expect to have two or three (at least, one) more Golden Ages. At which point, I'll probably dedicate two more cities to the quest. I'm going to call The Pentagon (and it's +2 experience for all new units) more important than either of the post Scientific Method Great People, as I am silly with Great People this game. Current Diplomatic Situation: Incan 2070: me (30,009 win this turn) Egyptian 1775: +5 (gearing for war) Holy Roman 1636: -4 (he hates me) Spanish 1600: -4 (she hates me) Roman 1540: +4 Korean 1114: -1 German 988: +8 Odd that my neighbour and most likely ally is in last place. Of course, he's not doing so well. I'm destroying Bismark in the Cultural War. I will plant another city or two (maybe more), exerting even more pressure on his borders. And I will likely flip a city before this is all over. {I did not flip a city, but I stole tiles from Berlin's first ring, four tiles from Hamburg's first ring, and completely isolated Munich. Germany was obliterated in the Cultural War this game.} Munich is 34% Incan. I believe the tense times are over. I lost the first time through {on this map}. The second, I prepared adequately (not stellarly, but adequately). # # # 2018-12-16 1735AD T257 Germany will not sign a Defensive Pact... nor will anyone. So, that was a waste of time. Isabella is likely going to clean up on the Post Scientific Method Bonus Techs. But I will get The Pentagon. # # # 2018-12-16 1780AD T266 Bismark Peace Vassaled {the likely conditions being that he flipped to friendly, +10 prior to the Vassal Bonuses, and my power was twice his}. The Diplomatic Situation: Incan 2,638: me German 934: +15 Egypt 2,088: +6 Spanish 1,789: +1 Holy Roman 1,764: -4 Roman 1,693: +5 Korean 1,240: -1 I have been feeding Germany technology to keep them in the game. But I should just station a Machine Gun or two in each of their cities, at this point. Heck. I should station a Machine Gun or two in each of my cities, at this point. I have charts on everyone but Charlemagne. And have roughly 75% of Egypt's power, the leader of what I can see. I am, but of course, Charlemagne's worst enemy. But I think he would lose any war. I see no troops approaching. But it turns out Sea Sentry duty is another one of those broken mechanics There it is! I have a quarter (each) of both the World's Population and Land. Yippie! After my Golden Age, I switched into: Representation Bureaucracy Emancipation Free Market Organized Religion Tons of trade from Free Markets. Ramesses seems to be gearing up for a war... but I don't think he has a target. He seems to like everyone. And once again, I do not have enough troops. I need to build more... and upgrade more with gold. Founding Sid's Sushi is the next priority. It's way more important than the Electricity Wonders. Though, I would like Three Gorges Dam, so that will be next. Well, Facism; then, Plastics. Just by the by, one of the reasons (a very major reason) I switched out of Slavery was due to the tediousness of it all. Slavery would be better, but it's not worth the time to micro my production any longer. # # # 2019-12-16 1818AD T279 So much excitement, I almost forgot to found Sid's Sushi. But I did. Watery Death has a lot of commerce coming in. I need to build Wall Street. But first, I need a few more banks. Ramesses was gearing up for war. And Isabella was the unlucky target. Ramesses asked me to join his war, so I did. Thus far, it's been a ship battle between Isabella and I. I think I'm ahead. I have two Galleys... dozens of turns out. But when they finally make there way, I'll have a few Machine Guns to add to the fray. Mostly, I'm hoping Isabella crashes her stack against me and gives me some free experience. But like I said, that's a good dozen travel turns away, so anything can happen. Going for Fascism... and then, working my way down to Plastics. The turns have been much faster, as I am through with the micro on this game. # # # 2019-12-17 1818AD T279 I should go slow in my war with Isabella: wait until Ramesses has absorbed the brunt of her stack. # # # 2018-12-17 1834AD T287 Charlemagne demanded Steam Power, which I refused. If I he could, he would declare war. Actually, I don't know if he can or not {he obviously can, the question is whether the power graphs make that a likely decision and if he declares war, would win}. I know that I have a screen of ships, which are turns away from being upgraded to destroyers. So, his window is closing. He, on the other hand, is the Espionage points leader. And is pouring it all into me. So, I have no charts or info on Charlemagne. I landed five Machine Gunners and a single Cannon into Spain. Let's see what happens. Reinforcements are upwards of a dozen turns away. # # # 2018-12-17 1854AD T297 The war with Spain was quick. I eventually landed 17 units, which Isabella never attacked... no I take that back. I landed 18 units, she killed one. But from there, it was hopeless. With the second landing party, I attacked a city, took it over, and she Capitulated. In a normal points game, the decision to accept would have been a no brainer. But I had to think about it this time around. In the end, I did accept. And me, Bismark, and Isabella, are one big happy family. The next turn, I declared war on Charlemagne and his lacky Wang Kon joined in. So, I bribed Caesar to attack them, as well. Thus, we have a world war. Incan Charlemagne German vs Wang Kon Spain With Ramesses sitting it out. For now, I think it will be easy experience points... or massive war weariness. Let's see how those Good Year Blimps do... if I suffer War Weariness from them. War Weariness Holy Roman: 77 Korean: 0 Actually, my Destroyers have a 30% chance to intercept aircraft, so I may be shooting down a bunch of blimps. For the moment, the war is one of harassment; but also, intent. The Apostolic Palace voted to stop trading with Germany, but I defied. So, the two cities in which I have Buddhism (totally minor cities) are slightly more unhappy (+5). Considering all, it's a meaningless penalty. And now, I've decided to launch a Golden Age, with one more to follow... assuming I get the proper sort of Great Person on the roll. But it's time to go {quit for the day}; so hopefully, I will remember to optimize the Golden Age prior to rolling the turn. # # # GOLDEN AGE PREP STILL WORKING ON THE ROLL # # # 2018-12-18 1854AD T297 I revolted into Pacifism... and am expecting between two and four (depending on how things go) Great People before the Golden Age is over. If I get a Spy or a Prophet, I'll be good to launch another Golden Age. # # # 2018-12-18 1878AD T309 It's compelling to keep on playing {today}, but it is time for me to do something else. The Great War is not as great as it once was. I made peace with both Egypt and the Holy Roman Empire. But I am still at war with Korea. So at one time, it was Egypt, Holy Roman, and Korea versus everyone else. Korea will fall. I was a mite bit too aggressive and Korea retook the first city I captured, but the loss of troops will hit them harder... and I've got tanks coming into the theater of war. Korea is doomed. If I was just interested in winning, I would accept Korea's offer to Capitulate. But I want all their land. They have Knights versus my Infantry and Tanks. They are going to get slaughtered. Perhaps they will capitulate to Egypt or the Holy Roman. But if so, then whoever they capitulate too has self-selected as my next opponent. Diplomatic Situation: Incan 4,574: me Spanish 1,850: +5 (my vassal) German 1,207: +17 (my vassal) Egypt 2,779: +1 (war with Rome) Roman 2,375: +7 (war Egypt & Holy Roman) Holy Roman 2,261: -13 (war with Rome) Korean 1,434: -16 (war me and my vassals) The only thing that could conceivably save Wang Kon is if the War Weariness gets too great for me... but that's what revolting into a Police State is for. I expect to have Korea extinguished in two dozen turns... maybe longer, as there is healing and transit time. But there is precious little they will be able to do. After the initial stack is gone (and it is mostly gone), marching to the next target city will take as much time as anything else. In order to prepare for victory, I am building: Tanks (but of course) Executives (Sid & Mining) Settlers (to fill in the gaps) Missionaries (make them mine) Like I said, if mere winning were the objective, I'd accept Capitulation, build them up (i.e. gift them techs) and take on the next target. But I want more than mere victory... and I have yet to launch a single warhead. # # # 2018-12-18 1894AD T317 Korean Golden Age {These first titles are game save titles... sometimes. So, in the raw stack, there is a Korean Golden Age save game. I should probably make sure that's in the selection of saves I post to the web.} Korea is out-gunned. No one is coming to Wang Kon's rescue. And in fact, no one is aiding me in the attack. So, all of his lands will be mine. Bismark is doing bizarrely bad at the culture war. I own four squares of Berlin's Fat Cross: one in the first ring. I haven't taken a city, yet. But I have built two cities in captured territory. And both of these cities have managed to push their borders another two squares in. The research slider is at 0%: mainly because I am building The Internet (ten turns out). And I question how many more techs I need. Well, I need several. Fission is currently being researched. But I also will need Artillery and Rocketry. Researching: Fission -> Artillery -> Rocketry At which point, I build the Manhattan project and a bunch of Nukes. I am not bothering with The United Nations, as the points leader gets to run for office either way, so why bother. Also, since my vassals (German and Spain) have to vote for me; Rome is likely to vote for me; and I'll have all of Korea's land by that time; winning the election seems very likely. I have three Great People and will pop at least one more before the Golden Age is over. It begs the question of whether Great Generals can be used for Golden Ages. I doubt it. {They can't.} Anyway, one more Golden Age seems likely before the game is over, based on the average city's high population (and therefore, my running a ridiculous number of specialists) from Sid's Sushi. But I think that is it. It's questionable how cost effective another Golden Age would be. But if I can, I am doing it. # # # 2018-12-20 1902AD T322 This game (as in, CIV IV in general) is not as interesting in the end game as it is in the beginning or middle. Eh, maybe I am just tired... or unexcited about the prospect. But having just eliminated Korea, my eyes are glazing over. Maybe tiredness. Maybe not enough sleep. Maybe boredom. I will build at least one nuke before this is through, though. I am too close. But nukes mean the Manhattan Project. And I might as well plan ahead and build the SDI (75% protection) prior to launching an attack. As the war with Korea drew to a close, I noticed Charlemagne was sending a convoy of three transports towards my friend Caesar, so I declared war and destroyed the stack. Let's see how this war goes. But I have little agenda: because if I capture territory, I will win. And I don't want to win yet... not if I am going to go all ballistic missile on someone... e.g. Charlemagne. # # # 2018-12-21 1909AD T329 Korea is dead... and it was a cake walk. I am expecting Charlemagne to fall just as easily... only, I'm thinking I'll only capture three cities: cut off his head, as it were. The only reason to play is to play, you know, goofing off, as the victory is in the bag. I could switch all cities to military and no one could withstand me... especially since the AI seems incapable of switching to pure military, which is what Charlemagne should be doing right now. # # # 2019-12-21 1912AD T332 I accepted a Cease Fire from Charlemagne. I am not overly pleased with my play. Prior to signing the agreement, I should have destroyed two of his Destroyers. And the only reason I was suing for peace was because a stack of 10 of my units was in danger of being eliminated. War will come soon enough, as it is not a Ten Turn Peace, but a peace at will. I captured one city. And he was willing to capitulate. But I want his good lands prior to accepting capitulation. Also, I may want to settle his island and grab some land Egyptian way, so as to deny him access to Uranium. # # # 2018-12-21 1913AD T333 Charlemagne has Peace Vassaled to Egypt. It's annoying... to say the least. But then, another wrinkle is welcome. # # # 2018-12-21 1926AD T346 The competition is hopelessly out-gunned. I mean, it might not be, but Rome is a solid ally, so no worries from that corner, while Isabella (the other tech leader) is my vassal... which is, also, why she is the other tech leader. Ramesses has been at war (off and on) for a long time now... and Charlemagne just got clobbered. I took a peace (without any turn limit, so peace at will). In the next war, I will secure the Uranium that is required for my enemies to make nuclear warheads. My warfare is still not as clean as I'd like. I lost units to silly mistakes, those off to the sides, lone units, during this last battle, units I should not have lost. Anyhow, we are now in final legs... or so I will say. It's a lie, of course. As there are one, two, or three skirmishes (call them wars) to go. And then, ticking down the turns. I have yet to make a single Nuclear Weapon. They are icing. They are not strategically important. The game is over. # # # 2018-12-23 1931AD T351 I am done with this game. I am not expecting any more challenges and question whether there is anything more to learn. I believe there is a UN Election on the roll. And I will seek Diplomatic Victory, which I believe I have enough votes for all on my lonesome... well, vassals included. Prior to that, I am going to nuke Thebes, so let's see how that effects the Diplo. Diplomatic Situation Incan 7,916: me Spanish 2,254: +10 (my vassal) German 1,372: +16 (my vassal) Egyptian 3,278: -22 (at war, about to nuke) Holy Roman 1,688: -30 (being obliterated as we speak, Egypt's vassal) Roman 2,735: +12 Korea 0 : dead I would expect Caesar to like me better, as I've declare war on Ramesses (and protected him from same) on countless occasions. Anyhow, time to nuke Thebes. The only change I note is that I got a -2 modifier against Egypt. Pretty harsh for a single nuke. Ramesses best hope is that I don't build anymore nukes prior to the UN Vote coming in. Oh, sorry. I negleted to spot a -1 from Charlemagne for nuking his friend the first time around. So, sorry about that. I guess I don't get any pluses for not nuking him. # # # 2018-12-23 1933 353 Diplomatic Victory Score: 8,191 Normalized: 48,270 38 - Great People # # # Watery Death Gold: +2,032/turn Beakers: +345/turn Hammers: +122/turn Great People: +237pts/turn Pretty nice stats. # # # 2018-12-23 (c) Copyright Brett Paufler