[SPOILERS] Roland and Suboptimal Team Up

[suboptimal]

[suboptimal]

There's no tech tree in your post. That civics tree is...interesting.

I like both capital positions - on the coast but shielded with only 3-4 sea tiles exposure. Looks like you've got some sort of land bridge/canal site to your NW. The starts are going to be a little growth-challenged (from my perspective that's nothing new). I think SIP is good for both positions since they are plains hill starts. We both have +3 Campus locations, I've got a +2 Holy Site on the tile west of the warrior. I think both cities work the available 3 tiles to get to pop 2 and then perhaps the 13 tiles to get builds done. We'll both need a warrior or two - the tundra start is going to create barbarian problems. The desert will be limiting in terms of settlement but a likely spot for city-states. Earth Goddess is a viable pantheon for my start, particularly if I drop a settler west of the river (tile 3W of the warrior).

How do you want to scout this out? My thinking is to send my warrior west until it runs out of room or breaks the fog between our starts then see what's to the south. I'll build a second warrior and scout out east & north while getting a settler out. We're close in (closer than PBEM 7's starts) so I don't know how big this land mass will be. Need to be prepared for the possibility that TBS set up the map to force over-water expansion.

[roland of gilead]

One of us needs to do a worker early. probably first and only you can improve 3 tiles.

i could be a good while before i can inmprove 3 tiles.

i think i open with slinger into settler

what way do i go for scouting?

then i can settle in place though it has challenges.

and post so we can decide on research

my worry is that second culture requires 3 improved tiles.

one thing i do like is my early science. on turtles and tea

[roland of gilead]

[roland of gilead]

there is land to the west i could go there but reveals nothing to help settling decision.

i can go 2 east then head north or south.

i can strike out south but again tells me noting

[suboptimal]

I should not build an early builder - I can only improve one tile until I have two of Mining, Sailing and Animal Husbandry. An early builder for you might be worthwhile, though only after you get a settler out. Slinger is useful for the archery eureka. Given "typical" RB meta I'd assume that horses are in one of the open plains tiles near my start but this being a naval map horses aren't that important.

Regarding which techs to research it will depend on the tech tree and where Sailing lies within in. I think you working the turtles with your second pop might be better than working the high production tile.

I don't think you have any options other than to SIP. Moving east likely invalidates whatever fresh water location might be available.

Your warrior wound up in a bad spot for scouting. If you SIP before moving the warrior it should be able to move to the wheat on Turn 1 and you can scout south.

[roland of gilead]

you have 2 from ah and a farm ands fish

i have 1 farm until irrrigation and sailing come in.

no way am i getting that boost anytime soon.

yeah i am doing some testing on working the turtles or 2 2 tile.

will settle and post.

[suboptimal]

Simple probability dictates that you should research Pottery in order to have the best chance at locating Astrology early. I'll take Animal Husbandry and we'll hope that Astrology doesn't show up in the Mining branch.

You make a good point about available builder improvements. I'll go warrior -> settler -> builder while researching Animal Husbandry. The 2/2 tile will get you things built faster but do you/we want that or the science more?

For scouting let's prioritize defogging fresh water and the areas between us. Send your warrior east, I'll go west then loop north to uncover the river valley(s) in my area.

[roland of gilead]

just got excellent for you.

[roland of gilead]

just need to work out.

What to build
what to research
what tile to work.