I'm pretty sure I used this tactic when I was emotionally invested in the games, early on when I started playing here. The longer I played - and more often was in a potential winning position - the less understandably was this tactic to me. I don't care if it is closer to "reality", we are playing a game and it is meant to be fun. Losing inherently isn't fun, but we all learn early on that it is not a reason to knock over the board and make it no fun for everyone. Scorched earth tactics are exactly that to me now. It's not doing anything for you, it is just a try to make the other guys game worse - and really, most of the time to make himself feel worse. I've used the same excuses as everyone else for this tactic, but in the end it's simply unfun.
I agree though that ruling it out would be more sensible than taking away options from the player. I'm not sure however if such a rule would not be circumvented by some, as most are. And when you invest a year or more into a game, just not playing with that guy again isn't helping right now. Therefore I can see why someone would try to eliminate it as a potential tactic.
Not sure what the best way really is, but at least in a game this big, I'm glad that those we will conquer can not use scorched earth as a strategy.
Btw: Possible idea how to prevent this: Have hamlets, villages, towns be restored to their former state when pillaged. Similar to how you can burn a farm but it will only take 4 turns (or less with the right civics) to rebuild it. Not sure you can store that information for every tile anywhere though - and if you can how it would affect load times.
I agree though that ruling it out would be more sensible than taking away options from the player. I'm not sure however if such a rule would not be circumvented by some, as most are. And when you invest a year or more into a game, just not playing with that guy again isn't helping right now. Therefore I can see why someone would try to eliminate it as a potential tactic.
Not sure what the best way really is, but at least in a game this big, I'm glad that those we will conquer can not use scorched earth as a strategy.
Btw: Possible idea how to prevent this: Have hamlets, villages, towns be restored to their former state when pillaged. Similar to how you can burn a farm but it will only take 4 turns (or less with the right civics) to rebuild it. Not sure you can store that information for every tile anywhere though - and if you can how it would affect load times.
Yes, I would expect a first ring site to not be under contention, but I don't think I was expecting to meet anyone there either.