DaveV spoiler thread: Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards

[DaveV]

Screenshot from end of turn 35:



I've revolted to Apprenticeship, will crank out some shock warriors to stem the barbarian tide, then on to my next settler. I'm last in score, but demographics tell a better story:



GNP is far and away the most important category for me, so I'm happy .

[DaveV]

I haven't been reporting because I've been busy and there's really not much to report. Exploration came in, and my worker is now busy connecting my two cities, for a couple more commerce. Building one more shock warrior, then another worker and another settler.

The barbs should be showing up any time, honest!

[DaveV]

Turn 40: right on schedule, the first orc warrior pokes his nose above the foxhole:



Even at 96% odds, my warrior barely survives the attack on him:

[DaveV]

If [Lewwyn] loses interest in the game, he could sacrifice his own game to take down his worst enemy. I plan to treat him fairly and honestly, and hope not to be that worst enemy.

Can't believe how badly I failed on that one...

[DaveV]

This game is still ticking along at a turn per day. At the end of turn 44, I finally discovered Animal Husbandry, and found horses:



A nice spot . I haven't seen any more barbs, and now my demographics are suffering for all my warrior builds :



I saw a lot more barbs in my sims, as in several per turn. Maybe Mist set up the map to inhibit them; or maybe they're just out there bothering the other guys.

[DaveV]

I haven't updated in a while, but there hasn't been much going on. My too-numerous warriors are standing idly in my cities, while the barbs are no-shows and the other players pass me by.

Here's a map overview as of turn 48:



And demographics:



I'm still doing OK on GNP, but I'm dead last in score and population. I need to turn this around soon.

[DaveV]

So, here's the situation as of turn 50. My empire:



Capital:



The other city:



Demographics:



Top 5 cities:



The graphs aren't terribly interesting, since I can't see anyone else's graph for comparison (it would probably be embarassing, anyway). For completeness, here they are. GNP:



Manufacturing:



Crop Yield:



Power:



Culture:



Analysis: as I've said several times already, I've really hurt myself by building warriors before I needed them. When my settler finishes, I'll build my new city at red dot in the first picture.

Tech plan: Festivals next, for Markets everywhere, then Crafting to improve the wine. After that, either Calendar for City States, or Code of Laws for Aristocracy and Courthouses. God King expenses will become unbearable once I start planting more cities. City States has the advantage of being cheaper, not reducing food, and giving a huge discount on city maintenance without having to build a fairly expensive building. Aristocracy gives comparable maintenance reduction with a courthouse, and provides some extra commerce. Very long term, it also provides Royal Guards, whom I want very much. I'll try to run a few sims, but it's probably going to be Code of Laws.

After the maintenance reducing tech, my plan is Philosopy->Way of the Wicked (switch to Slavery), then Knowledge of the Ether, Corruption of Spirit (convert to Ashen Veil), and Priesthood. This leaves me another 50 turns of pretty weak defense, but I'll have Floating Eyes to scan for incoming bad guys, and Haste to help fight off Pyre Zombies. Once I crank out Rosier and a few Ritualists, I should be pretty safe from attack.

My long range plan after that: Infernal Pact (switch to Sacrifice the Weak), then Writing->Divination->Sorcery. Use the Infernal Grimoire to grab Arcane Lore, build Govannon, and win!

[Commodore]

After the maintenance reducing tech, my plan is Philosopy->Way of the Wicked (switch to Slavery), then Knowledge of the Ether, Corruption of Spirit (convert to Ashen Veil), and Priesthood. This leaves me another 50 turns of pretty weak defense, but I'll have Floating Eyes to scan for incoming bad guys, and Haste to help fight off Pyre Zombies. Once I crank out Rosier and a few Ritualists, I should be pretty safe from attack.

My long range plan after that: Infernal Pact (switch to Sacrifice the Weak), then Writing->Divination->Sorcery. Use the Infernal Grimoire to grab Arcane Lore, build Govannon, and win!

So, how much of that is going to be bulbed? And how's the happy going to look for whipping your little magic-lovers to a pulp as often as SotW on this map will allow?

[DaveV]

So, how much of that is going to be bulbed?

Nothing till Priesthood or Infernal Pact. I don't think it's worth spending a Sage on KotE or Divination, and the rest of the path isn't very bulb-friendly.

And how's the happy going to look for whipping your little magic-lovers to a pulp as often as SotW on this map will allow?

Mist has given us lots of happy resources, and I can always whip Pagan Temples and Carnivals for extra happiness.

[DaveV]

Turn 52 played.

I saw my second barb warrior, attacked and killed him at 99% odds. Demos and score are still depressing. Back to your regularly scheduled nap.