[SPOILERS] Woden's Desfiles de Carnaval do Brasil!

[Woden]

Quick Startegy Update

I wanted to post this again to see where I was at with my inspirations. Everything does look to be on track (strike through are ones I have):

After Drama and Games and Recreation, I need the following to reach Nationalism:

• Defensive Tactics - Inspiration: Be the target of a declaration of war (out of my control)
  
• Recorded History - Inspiration: Have two Campus districts (plan on building in my first 2 cities)
  
• Feudalism - Inspiration:  Have six farms (might be hard on this map) Will have soon
  
• Civil Service - Inspiration:  Get a city to size 10 (might be tough giving the expected fast pace of research)
  
• Medieval Faires - Inspiration:  Have four trade routes active simultaneously Will have soon
  
• Guilds - Inspiration:  Build two markets Will work on soon
  
• Humanism - Inspiration:  Earn a Great Artist Will build 2 TS after Feudalism
  
• Diplomatic Service - Inspiration: Have an alliance with another civ Working on it with England
  
• The Enlightenment - Inspiration:  Earn three Great People Need one more
  
• Nationalism - Inspiration: Declare war using a casus belli (will just hard-research this one, most likely impossible in MP)
  

So, there is at least 4 civics I might need to slow research but should be able to get the other inspirations. I will also probably want Exploration for a better government, so I will also need to research:

• Military Tradition - Inspiration: Clear a barb camp (do-able)
  
• Military Training  - Inspiration: Build an Encampment (plan on it)
  
• Mercenaries - Inspiration:  Have 8 land units
  
• Exploration - Inspiration:  Build 2 Caravels -will have once I have Cartography
  

Everything looks to be on track except for my lower culture rate, which will double after Feudalism with 2 Theater Squares and a 3rd envoy into Mohenjo-Daro, plus I might run a project or 2 to pick up the GW. 

Also, I posted in the diplo:

@TheArchduke: What are your feelings about setting up a NAP, working towards a in-game friendship and alliance (for the inspiration for Diplomatic Service) down the road? Us little guys might need to work together against the larger aggressors and ensure that neither of us get out again. Figured I might start a dialog...

I want to see how TheArchduke feels about working together. I am starting to think he is slowly becoming a monster (his gold is >50/turn) and will shortly have 2 Admirals. I think he is looking to go on the war path soon. He is a little behind in culture and science, so I can see him trying to improve those beforehand. I am starting to suspect he will attack Stockholm to get the campus (he has no envoy in them). I want that city but he might be in better position sooner. I need like 15 turns until I am ready.  I am fine with that since it might cause trouble if I have it, being right next to his capital. I will just have to settle for Jerusalem. 

I have a few turns to report still but will wait until tonight after I play my 2nd turn for the day. Not much going on as I am waiting for stuff to finish.

[Woden]

Turns 95 - 97

Japper007 wrote a disheartening post in the diplo thread that his capital will fall soon and looks like he has pretty much give up. I wish his conquest would have lasted a little longer. Looks like oledavy is providing as much help as he gave me in PBEM2. Japan's military strength has not jumped, so he is not building military units. His science is still through the roof, so he is still running both adjacency cards. I can't wait to read his thread after the game to get a laugh from his whinng that I didn't do anything about it, and help him win the game. Frankly, I think all he does is bitch and moan while doing the same thing as the rest of us. My hope now is that Singaboy keeps pushing into Japan after the Vikings. I am pretty sure Sinagboy is a little pissed at oledavy's actions. As for me, I am trying to develop an alliance with England. As previously stated, I think TheArchduke is a sleeping giant and is slowly developing his lands in order to pounce on someone when the time is right. I want to be his friend, so it is directed elsewhere. Anyways...

Turn 95

To start this turn, let's look near Germany...




Found another Germany city. Since the galley has 4 movement, I have been using him to explore a little as I slowly move the builder home. That is how I could get vision on this Germany city. It will be a while before this guy gets home but I can always use 2 free builder charges. The only other major event for this turn was that I finally settled my 5th city...




The only problem with settling here is that the bananas can not longer go to Beija-Flor if I build the GZ, losing out on +2 per trade route. Other than that, this should be an awesome city. My plan here is to build a grainery and then walls and chop into Petra. I also have an extra chop that I can chop into Petra or a monument if I want to speed up culture. I will have to think about it. I will also put an aqueduct for the euerka. It will start off slow but once I can get a few improvements here, it shouldn't take too long to get some production going. 

Here is the leader board for reference...




I still lead Germany by 2 techs and Japan by 3. Don't know for how much longer.

Turn 96

Start this turn off with...




Time to switch policies...




I start by switching the Agoge for Maritime Industries as I plan to build a few boats soon. I then switch out Colonization and Urban Planning for Ilkum and Land Surveyors. Getting rid of Colonization adds a turn to the settler at Beija-Flor but it is worth it as I want to build builders for when I finish Feudalism (which I started this turn). Land Surveyors because I need to buy some tiles for chopping or placement of districts. I decide to buy a tile for a lumbermill at Beija-Flor, a tile a Carnival for chopping and the Theater Square, and 2 tiles at Salgueiro, for chopping the IZ out and the tile for the IZ. I still have the rice to buy for the 6th farm and a few more tiles (if I can get the gold) before I swap out of Land Surveyors. Overall, I think I saved about 100 gold so far and probably have another 50 or so to save before my next policy change. 

In the southwest...




I gain vision on Weinberg. I am still not 100% that there is a path here but it does look like it. Hopefully I don't need to back track. If so, I might let the builder go by land if possible and I will start moving something from my homeland down while the galley goes around. 

Here is the score for reference...




Still behind quite a bit.

Turn 97

Finish...




Start Mass Production but will have to switch out when I get close to half because I won't have a lumbermill down yet. I will switch into Cartography while I wait for the lumbermill (after Feudalislm finishes).  I finished a Trader last turn and sent it to Tijuca...




I send the trader to Mangueira for he roads. It will pass through Beija-Flor, so all my cities should be connected on the mainland. The trade route also makes up for losing Urban Planning and gives additional food. I also forgot last turn but I will have to buy the tiles for Petra here, so I will need another 200 or so gold.

In the north, my archer and spearman have been exploring a little...




Looks to be about 4 decent city locations up here. Maybe after my current round of development is complete, I will push a bunch of settlers out and settle it. We will see how it goes over the next 20 or 30 turns. My plans so far are to work on builders before feudalism finishes, then do a round of walls, districts (chop from walls), ships, and buildings (library, markets, etc) to make sure I continue my development. Then maybe I can push expansion again. We will see.

Here is a look at the Great People races...




I do need to build a few more buildings so I can retake the lead on GP. I think I should be able to get the next Merchant and General and might be able to poach the first Writer and Scientist. We will see.

Here is the score for reference...




In international news, England pulls ahead of me in Military Power (269 to my 260). Probably building some ships. Japan's increased(?) to 173. Not sure but I think it was slightly lower. Spain is at 160 and the Vikings are at 105. Didn't check where Germany is at but it is north of 500. He is looking a little scary, but again, I hope he has his eyes on Japan next. We will see...

[Woden]

Turns 98 - 100

Looks like teams are starting to form: Japan & Vikings; Germany & Spain; England & Brazil. Interesting...

Turn 98

Uneventful turn, things are building and some units are moving to where they need to go. Here is the north island, looks like some good land. 




Here are the rankings...




Of note is that Japan is now ahead of Germany in science ranking. not long before I am overtaken by both Japan and Germany.


Turn 99

Settler has finally arrived at the southern island...




Rename city "Portela", keeping with my Samba school names. Start a monument here and am working the horses. I was considering having the Builder taht will finish soon from Carnival come down here to improve the cotton since Salgueiro will become unhappy when it grows but...
 



Japan offers peace with a luxury trade. Figure mine as well as nobody else has anything useful or already has what I have. That way I can keep with my initial plan of chopping the jungle and mining the hill between Carnival and Salgueiro, which will help Carnival grow.  Settler at Beija-Flor finishes, start a Builder and will change it to a monument while I wait for Feudalism to finish. Speaking of, I put down a farm at Beija-Flor (the 5th). Next turn, a bunch of cities complete their builds...

Turn 100

First, the second Harbor finishes, giving...




England accepted my NAP and requested a defense agreement, which is good...




He goes and declares war on Japan. From the diplo thread it looks like he is chasing an inspiration, but who knows. He was probably thinking that now his east side is secure, so he can be free to fight Japan. Either way, let him get caught up in some fighting but I do need to improve/building some fighting forces. 

A builder finishes in Carnival and I start a monument that will receive the jungle chop, then it will work on another builder while I get the 30% production bonus. At Mangueira, the grainery finishes and I start a builder. Here are the rankings...




Japan is now leading the science race. Germany should pass me shortly, especially now that Stockholm has fallen to England.  Here is the score for reference...




Still trailing the top 3, mostly in empire score. I really need to get my cities to grow. I am planning to do a Turn 100 summary next.

[Woden]

Turn 100 Review

Here is a game review of the first 100 turns. Overall, I think I am doing the best I can but am falling behind. I should make up a little ground after I get Feudalism and some much needed builder labor. 

To start, here are my civilization stats:

6 Cities with 23 total population with 1 settler in route
Districts: 2 Harbors, 2 Campuses, 2 Commercial Hubs, 1 Encampment
Buildings: 2 Monuments, 2 Graineries, 1 Library, 1 Watermill
Trader Routes: 2 of 5 
Tile Improvements: 5 Farms, 4 Mines, 2 Quarries, 1 Pasture, 2 Fishing boats, 2 Plantations, and 1 Camp
Resources:
Strategic: 1 Horse, 1 Iron; 
Luxuries: 2 Salt, 2 Wines; 
Bonus: 1 Crab, 1 Deer, 1 Fish, 1 Rice, 2 Stone, 3 Wheat
Military Units: 2 Galleys, 4 Warriors, 4 Archers, 1 Spearman
Techs: Everything through the Classical Era plus Apprenticeship, Machinery, and Education. I have a few turns into a couple of other techs. 
Civics: Everything up to Drama/Games and Recreation plus Military Training and Defensive Tactics and am about halfway through Feudalism. 

Here are the leaders' score...




For comparisons:

Germany
Number of Cities/non-Capital Population:6/29 plus captured Vikings' cities
Science/#Techs: 48.7/21 techs
Culture/Civics: 30/15 civics
Gold/Bank: 42/ 409
Military Power: 576

England
Number of Cities/non-Capital Population: 7/27
Science: 40.8/18 techs
Culture: 19/11 civics
Gold/Bank: 52/ 250
Military Power: 360

Japan
Number of Cities/non-Capital Population: 5/18
Science: 67.1/22 techs
Culture: 29/ 14 civics
Gold/Bank: 20/ 201
Military Power: 144

Brazil
Number of Cities/non-Capital Population: 5/18
Science:32.6/22 techs
Culture: 15.6/ 12 civics
Gold/Bank: 34.8/ 146
Military Power: 257

Spain
Number of Cities/non-Capital Population: 4/16
Science: 24/17 techs
Culture: 14.5/12 civics
Gold/Bank: 20/ 330
Military Power: 196

Vikings
Number of Cities/non-Capital Population: 4/9
Science: 11.9/17 techs
Culture: 11.8/11 civics
Gold/Bank: 19/ 145
Military Power: 96

Overall, right in the middle.

Past 100 Turns

I think I am doing fairly well, given the start I had. My culture sucks but hopefully I can change that in the near future. I started real strong in science with 2 Campuses but am now trailing off as the leaders are running the adjacancy cards. I should be a ble improve that too, as I am planning another +3 campus to be online in the next 10 turns. I will have to do another comparison in about 25 turns, as I have a bunch of stuff that will be online by then. 

Strategy Update
 coming soon...

This is all I have put together so far and will add to it in a little bit. Maybe tonight if I have the time or maybe later this week. I want to write up the next few turns before I fall too far behind. I will post something when I edit this post so you know it has been updated.

[Woden]

Turns 101-103

Slowly chugging along, waiting for Feudalism to finish. My culture sucks right now but hopefully I can triple it in the next 10 to 20 turns. For reference, it is at 15.6 on Turn 101. Not much going on, just waiting for things to finish...

Turn 101

Start this turn by chopping the jungle at Carnival...




The city grows a population and fills up half the box. Also drops the monument done to 1 turn. This is good to know. That should mean the marshes are worth about 1 population each, maybe not the second but will be close. I do need to put in a grainery soon, so growth doesn't slow. I might put the +1 housing card in to make sure it still grows. I might be able to get to size 10 by the time I need too. We will see. 

To show how bad my culture is right now, here is the cultural victory screen...




I am at least 400 behind the next closes person (Spain and England), 700 behind Japan, and 1400 behind Germany. I believe 1 domestic tourist equals 100 either earned or inspirational. Hopefully I can catch up. 

Here is my civilization at the end of the turn...




As you can see, I have builders in production everywhere it is feasible, trying to get the most out of the 30% bonus card. I will not finish any of them before I finish Feudalism and get the extra charges. 

Turn 102

Monument finishes at Carnival and I start a builder, which should finish just in time, I might have to switch it off for a turn. The builder puts a mine on the hill I chopped last turn. Other than that, not much going on. Here is the rankings...




I am still in second in science but I feel that won't last much longer, maybe a few turns. Germany's science is much higher than mine. In fact, England's is also. I do plan on putting a Campus at Tijuca. Helped by a chop into some walls. I decided to let this city grow a little before starting Petra. I want a Campus for the GS points and it is next to a mountain for the university if I land the GS. 

Here are my lands at the end of the turn...




I will be able to farm the rice next turn for my 6th farm and the inspiration for Feudalism. 

Turn 103

Start this turn off by farming the rice...




Which gives...




2 more turns until it is finished. Salgueiro grows to size 7, so I put down the Industrial Zone. The builder in production is at 1 turn left, so I switch to a Quadrireme. I will chop into that for the 100% production bonus and overflow into the IZ. I might build the Venetian Arsenal here but still need to think about it. I don't have anymore resources to chop, I won't have the +15% card but I am in Autocracy (+11%, +12% in 7 turns), and it is expensive (920).  I should be able to get production up to somewhere around 40 in the next 10 turns, so I think I might be able to get it done around T140, if I start it on T110. Problem is that someone else can build it and I am out a lot of production. Only 2 can really steal it, Germany with his production and Japan, as he might have the tech soon too.  In addition, it will take my high production city off line and I am also looking to build 4 other wonders soon. I need to think about this.  I could build ~14 Quadrirmemes during that time, enough for 7 Minas Geraes Corps. I won't lose poduction if I don't get it. I do want to start think about war, now that Germany is probably 10 to 20 turns from knocking the Vikings out and someone might be his next target. Or...




Japan has a really low Military power. I suspect some of his units are hurt and some might have been killed by Germany.  Maybe the better play here is to build an army of knights and go after Japan. I can work towards getting the next General. Like I said, I have to thing about it. I have a few day and probably 6 or so turns until I would have to start the wonder.  Here are the races for Great People...




I might be too late for the first Writer but we will see. I will have to work it out if running a project might steal it from Japan. I might have to run a project or 2 for the next GS too. Maybe I should build an Street Carnival at Carnival instead of a Theater Square. I do want to build the Colosseum there. If I chop into it, it should finish with some overflow into a Project and I could get a bunch of GP points. Another thing I will have to thing about. The Street Carnival costs 104, Projects cost 137, and a chop is worth 76 (152 with 100% card). Might be the better play, we will see. 

Here is the score for reference...




England is doing a good job keeping up with Germany. I just noticed, the rankings are pretty much the exact opposite of PBEM2 (minus Russia of coarse). A couple more turns and I will get much needed builder labor. Looks like I have a few things to think and obsess about over the next few days.

[Woden]

Turn 104

Only 1 turn today due to oledavy's new schedule. Not much going on. 1 turn until Feudalism is finished and 2 turns until I can get much needed Builder labor.  Basically just moved units and switched out of a build if it was down to 1 turn. Here is an overview of my civilization....




I did but a 2nd ring plains hill at Salgeuiro that will be mined when the Builder can get there. Here is the score for reference...




and here is the other 2...




Not long until Japper007 is out of the game. Empire score of 24. Must be 3 cities and 9 population, less if it includes a district. Didn't check. Not much else to report. 

No risk, no reward...

I did do a little thinking and calculating last night. My fist though was that oledavy recently went from the Apprenticeship column to the Cartography column, so I don't think he has Mass Production yet. I think he has Education (he has got a tech since and his GS points are at like ~8.4-ish). He could have faith bought a University, or built another Campus. IDK. I will assume he has education but I still think he doesn't have Mass Production. I bee-lined it and am only 1 tech down (i.e. Cartography) and I don't have it. Germany doesn't have it either, since we have the same number of techs but he has Cartography. I don't think he has Education yet. In addition, Japan doesn't have an industrial Zone. I will have to check to see if he has placed one next turn. Therefore, I think I might try for the Venetian Arsenal. I figure I can get it some time between T135-T140, should be closer to T135. I have 4 plains hills and 2 salt mines. Two of the hills need mines and I need to buy one of them but with all of them I can get my production to 29. At that production, it will take 29 turns. If I start it on T100, that will be T139. I still have 3 trade routes that can add 5 more, bring it to T135. I can also buy a second ring mine at Carnival that will add +1 to the IZ. This might knock a turn of of it too. If I push my civilization to make it happen, I might get it. I also think my city will be competitive with both Japan and Germany, given all the plains hills.  It will hurt if I can't pull it off but no risk, no reward! And, I think given my middle of the road civilization, this could make me competitive. If I can get it, Salgeuiro will build ships the rest of the game.

[Woden]

Turns 105 - 110

Busy week, not much time to report but here are my last turns. I have been rethinking my strategy a little bit and have this feeling that war is coming but I will get to both later in the report.

Turn 105

Finally finish...




which gives...




and an envoy in Mohenjo Daro (now have 3). This will be nice when I get some Theater Squares up. Before I switch policies, I buy the coast tile for the Venetian Arsenal at the discounted rate. I switch policies to...




Everywhere switched to their Builders and then will build walls. I decided to put Strategos to hurry the GG up and gain a little lead on Germany. I will probably switch that out at the next policy change. Builders will finish next turn at Beija-Flor and Salgueiro and in 2 turns at Carnival and 3 turns at Mangueira (due to extra costs). 

Here are the rankings...




In military power, Spain and I have been switching ranks for quite some time. We have about the same power and he must be fighting barbs.  Here is an overview of my lands...





Turn 106

The Builder at Salgueiro finishes and I switch to the boat. I  shifts the workers around to bring the ship to 2 turns instead of 1 to maximize overflow...




I move the Builder at Beija-Flor to lumbermill the forest. Not much else going on. Here is an overview of my lands at the end of the turn...





Turn 107

Start by having a Builder put down a Lumbermill and get...




The Builder at Salgueiro puts down a pasture on the cows. Here is an overview shot...




The stolen Builder finally has reached the southern island and will make landfall next turn. Here is the Great People screen...




I should be able to get the Great Scientist if I run a project or 2. Newton will be worth 9 if I put him at the capital or at Tijuca. Then I should be able to catch up to Japan and Germany in science by building a few more buildings. 

Singaboy came asking for a NAP. I agreed under the condition that if he attack England I would be forced to step in due to a defensive pack I have with TheArchduke. We agreed to terms until T130, same turn TheArchduke's NAP runs out. Looks like I have until then to decide where I want to stand. Because I don't think I can sigh a NAP for both and either of them may look to expand in my direction. 


Turn 108

Boring turn, not much going on. Waiting for things to finish or Builders to move into place. The only screenshot I took this turn was...




I think I founded the southern city, didn't take a screenshot but do have a shot of it next turn and it already has food in its box. So, must have founded it this turn. Changed its name to Grande Rio and started building walls.  

TheArchduke has increased his military power, he might be looking for war soon. Is MP is a little less than double mine and Singaboy's is more than double mine. I am getting a feeling that war is brewing. TheArchduke may want to attack Germany before Germnay finishes off the Vikings. This gets me started to think about where I want to be when my NAPs end. 


Turn 109

Here are my lands...




I should chop into my first district next turn. I switch to Mass Production this turn to finish next turn. Here is the score for reference...




Oledavy must have founded a city or 2. We were close in score recently but now he has jumped ahead. 


Turn 110

Start this turn with...




Entering a new Era and get some new quests from the City-States. Build a Campus and Holy Site, earn a Great Scientist, and get the inspiration for Exploration. I should be able to get all but maybe the Holy Site, which is for Mohenjo-Daro. I may want to build one because they may be cheap with almost everybody having them. We will have to see. 

Time to chop out the IZ at Salgueiro. the boat has 2 left and the chop gives...




158 with the card. It is enough to finish the IZ next turn. Finishing another tech also lets me pull ahead of Germany in the science victory rankings...




I think at this point in the tree, most everybody will head to square rigging soon and I may have to head there too. Maybe after I get Stir ups down to 1 turn. Here is my lands at the end of the turn... 




I will be able to chop into the Theater Squares at Carnival and Bejia-Flor and the Campus at Tijuca in 2 turns. 

I have been thinking about my next moves. I can start the Venetian Arsenal next turn but I don't know if that is the right move. If I do start it, I will fall behind since I have other objectives too and will need to continue to run a farmers gambit. I would like to get the next GS, I need to build 2 markets for the Guild inspiration, I need a few more trade routes, I need to improve my culture, I need, I need, I need... (I do really enjoy this part of the game, so much to build, you need to make decisions. Not like the end game where you just build things so you don't have to come back to that city while you wait for victory.) I really need to prioritize right now and number 1 is to increase my culture. Second would be to improve my military. As much as I would like to build Venetian Arsenal, I think that would lead me down the same path as PBEM2, where I was stuck in builder mode. I can see Germany or England seeing me as an easy target if I put military off too long and frankly, I am getting tired of building and want some action sooner, rather then later. I have until tomorrow morning to decide if I want to build the VA but I am leaning more towards improving my military right now and maybe going on the offensive in 30 turns. I guess I have some thinking to do...

[Woden]

Turn 111

It  seems that we only have 1 turn in a day right before I have a big turn. Kind of sucks! T112 will be a big turn but the save never made it back to me. oledavy has been holding it for quite a while. Only one turn to report today. Guess I will have to wait until morning...

Start the turn with...




Which gives me the same number of techs as oledavy...




We both have 24. Which makes me believe he is slow researching Square Rigging. I am going to research Stirrups until it is 1 turn left and then switch to Square Rigging and probably have to slow research it too. Here is the score for reference...




Not much else going on. I did pasture my 2nd horse at my southern city. Like I said above, next turn will be a big turn with lots of chopping. I should be able to finish the Theater Square at Beija-Flor but the Campus at Tijuca and Theater Square at Carnival will need more work. I will chop a second forest at Tijuca, which will finish the campus and overflow into a monument and slow build the TS at Carnival. I figure it should be 3 or 4 turns left. 

The Industrial Zone finished at Salgueiro and I put the overflow into a barracks. I am going to manipulate overflow in this city. I figure I can build ships with the 100% card and then put the overflow into something else. I should be able to get almost a full turn of overflow into something that doesn't have a card and build ships at the same time. First will be a barracks, then a builder, then a Trader or 2. The Quadrireme cost 120 and as long as my production is less than 30, I should get some decent overflow. I actually may hold off on Square Rigging for a while (or at least keep it at 1 turn until needed) to continue to abuse the overflow.  Maybe I can get a Shipyard before finishing Square Rigging, that will help with the increased production costs. Now I just need to get the Great Zimbabwe going at Beija-Flor for cash for upgrades. But first I need to build a few chariots before I finish Stirrups because I will not get the production card for Knights until after I get Nationalism.

[Woden]

Current Diplomatic Situation

I was going to post this after I play my next turn (at the end of the report) but figured since it is currently being discussed, why not now. 

Here is the current situation: I have a DP and NAP with England until T130, so if Germany attacks England, I will be forced to attack (or at least declare war). I have a NAP with Germany until T130 and will remain neutral if England attacks until it runs out. Japan and England will now have a NAP and DP, starting on T120. TheArchduke has been bitching that I need to start building troops to help him out if Germany attacks, fair enough but I am only 100 MP behind him and am planning on a massive military build up (mostly 6 to 8 chariots) push over the next 10 turns so I can finish Stirrups and go for Banking.  

Now, I think I have 3 options:

1. Tell Germany to buzz off and help England and Japan stop his push. Germany is in a good position to win right now and with the Vikings almost out, he will become a monster. The only problem with this is that I am the farthest away from Germany lands. Japan can take the old Viking lands and England can take either his core or the Viking's island. My best shot will be to harass his core, where he will be able to pump out units left and right. 

2. Side with Germany and go after Japan. I really want to do this as payback for PBEM2. I think I can hit him on his back side and take his core. If he is build the Venetian Arsenal, might be nice to have but this leaves Germany to push to a win and makes enemies with my closest neighbors and England is fairly close to me.

3. Remain neutral for the time being. I am sure this will piss everybody off but they will be fight among themselves and will let the winner(s) in a much better shape and may come after me before I can get to my sweet spot. 

Now you may be thinking the choice is obvious, take out the leader. Why would I even consider letting someone get into winning position. Well, I have 10 civic until I finish Nationalism and two of them are near completion.  Why is Nationalism so important? That is when I can build Minas Geeraes and I am hoping nobody has looked into Brazil closely or understands how OP they are. 

Figates are 55/45 ranged/melee strength; Privateers are 50/40 strength, Ironclads are 60 strength. Minas Geeraes are 80/70 strength (90/80 with corps, available at Nationalism) plus have a range of 3 and don't get a reduction from walls.  In addition, it is an industrial unit and gets the Press Gangs bonus. Is a 20 to 35 strength difference enough to 1 shot a unit? IDK. But definitely a 2 shot kill. I figure if I have 6 Minus Geeraes and 2 Corps Minus Geeraes, I can go on a rampage. I will bring my GG  powered knights along to take cities. They should do well with Minus Geeras support. I should hit my sweet spot in about 50 turns, then we will see where this game goes and my chances of winning. I want to stay in the shadows as much as possible and have others fight among themselves while I slowly build to my goal. 

The next available ships to everybody are Battleships (at Steel) and subs (at Electricity) and they don't even match their power. Infantry and Calvary, and Field Cannons aren't even strong enough. Brazil probably has the most OP unit on this type of map. I figure I have a good 20 to 30 turns to wipe out who I want before they can field a unit close to their strength. I am not to worried about a bigger civilization with more units when I can 1 or 2 hit kill units, just more experience. Part of me was thinking just to attack everybody's capital on the same turn and end the game quickly but I don't know if that is possible or if I could have the units to do it. I would be dead quickly if it didn't work. 

My plan, as of today, is to join England and Japan in war aganist Germany to slow everybody down but once I get Minas Geeraes who knows where I will go.  I am think about taking out the strongest power but we will see. Interesting times ahead. I will wait until after T120 to let Germany know that I have no interest in his offer of an alliance. I just think he will become too powerful if he is left to ingest another civilization. Looks like it will be England, Japan and Brazil versus Germany and Spain in the first world war. Although I think I have made my decision, I do want to sleep on it. Sometimes I think I want to go one way and then inspiration hits me and go in the other direction. Although that might happen, I think I could benefit from either side.

[Woden]

Turns 112 - 114

Interesting turns are coming as it looks like the world will explode in war soon. The way oledavy and Singaboy are going back and forth, I can see why diplomacy games don't happen much anymore. I will say, I kind of agree with Singaboy that oledavy has been sharing a little too much information and going against the spirit of it. Making deals and alliances are fine, discussing unit movement and coordinating builds is probably a little too much and for the life of me I can't find where oledavy mentioned he was working on a "project" before TheArchduke brought it up. He must have a unit over that way. Anyways, 

Turn 112

Big turn of chopping...




Each chop is worth 83, double by Limes. I chop into a Campus at Tijuca (due in 10 turns, 3 with a second chop), a Theater Square at Beija-Flor (finishes next turn), and a theater square at Carnival (due in 5 turns, 4 after I move the works and tile around). I finish the Industrial Zone at Salguerio, start walls (due in 3 turns with 42 overflow). Here are my lands at the end of the turn...




Turn 113

Theater Square finishes at Beija-Flor, start a monument. Builder in the south runs into potentially a little trouble...




Lisbon's archer is standing wher eI need to go next turn, but...




I will grab the tile next turn and kick him off. No trouble at all. Not much else going on here. Stuff is being worked on and units are moving to where they need to go. 

Turn 114

Start this turn by getting an email that Japper007 is out of the game. I wish he had lasted a little longer. Check to see Germany's science rate jumped to equal Japan's, something like ~15. 




His culture is close to double mine.  England offers a deal...




Not what I wanted right now as I needed to think about what I want to do but I accept anyways. No need to further piss him off and I might not get the chance again. Hopefully he has Civil Service when I get it so I can get the inspiration for having an alliance. 

Checking the GP screen...




Japan will take the lead on the Scientist but I should be able to snatch him with the project I am working on. As for the General, I am at 73/120 points and am making 3 per turn with the card. I figure I am going to take the card out next turn but will finish the barracks in 2. Then I will overflow into a Project and build a ship to overflow into the project. then I might have a turn or 2 to finish it. I worked it out and card or not, it should finish about the same time plus I get a little gold. 

Here is the victory screen now that the Vikings are gone...




And the score for reference...




Interesting times are ahead. I swapped Mercenaries back in to finish next turn and the overflow should finish Recorded History the turn after. I am going to swap into Professional Army for a turn and upgrade what I can, then swap out of it the turn after and put in the reduced maintenance cost card to save a little money. I plan on building 6 or so chariots in the coming turns, then finish Stirrups to upgrade them to knights. I just need to find the gold. I did get an envoy this turn and put it into Lisbon. With the envoy next turn from Mercenaries and when I earn a GG, I will have 6, for the additional +4. That should help plus I am going to put down a CH at Mangueira for more gold.