[SPOILERS] PB7: Winning The Hard Way - Mao Plays Craps

[waterbat]

I'm not a long time member here, so not sure how it would be perceived, but it seems as though you had a valid plan and are working on executing it.

If your empire is not ready to go raiding into Azza's old territory by the time you have to release control, don't just attack for the sake of it - let the next ruler finish the build up or decide to go their own way.

[AutomatedTeller]

I would have, but I've been looking at all the threads, so...

[spacetyrantxenu]

Commodore is going to join up! Now RB PB7 players won't hate me for holding the turns.

I've PM'ed him and sent the password to log in. He's going to take a look in game and form opinions based off what he sees there before visiting this thread to get fresh eyes on what I'm doing. No doubt he'll be appalled by what he sees.

Lurkers, you may get better reporting coming up soon, rejoice, one more thread that will be half decent to read.

[Ceiliazul]

Lurkers, you may get better reporting coming up soon, rejoice, one more thread that will be half decent to read.

Xenu, you get tons of respect for working so hard to keep your civ manned. You can't control your circumstance, but you're done a great job of coordinating a response.

...if Commodore picks you up, that is!

[spacetyrantxenu]

Thanks. Another benefit of Commodore signing on is that we'll get a +100% optimism modifier, effective immediately.

T66 - I finished the settler in the capital and sent it on its way north. It will settle next turn here:



I don't have a name for it yet and I'm having trouble remembering the name of my existing cities so a redo might be in order. Maybe just name each city for a different way to earn the casino money (Craps, Slots, Roulette, etc).

Anyway, I remembered to switch to slavery this time the settler was moving. I meant to do it when sending the settler for the first city and forgot. It wasn't a terrible loss I don't think, I haven't grown into unhappiness at the capital but I could have got this army put together sooner. The delay will probably be fatal to the attack but we have to try. Right now our forces consist of 5 dog soldiers, 2 warriors, and I have a spear and chariot each 1 turn from finishing in the capital's build queue. I'd like to send another spear and chariot with the existing forces and see if I can crack two of MackSeven's cities. I just finished researching Archery so we can build some PRO archers to garrison while the army is away (or send them with the army if we want to wait for it, and if we want to try holding cities instead of burning them). Maybe build one archer and then two more chariots and send the whole stack out? That composition would be 5 dogs, 1 spear, 3 chariots, 1 archer. That's not an Armageddon stack by T70 but hopefully it can do some damage.

I have a dotmap put together, it isn't great but it's something to work toward at least. Here's a big map of what I've seen so far. My scouting has been bad because they keep dying. I blame MackSeven. And a barbarian too, if I remember right.

Demographics:



I waited to take the F9 shot until I revolted to slavery so everyone would think my GNP is better than that. Guess what? It's not much better than that! I've set research to Writing, belatedly, so maybe if the war stunt works (if it's still a good idea to go forward), maybe we'll be able to catch up some.

[spacetyrantxenu]

I forgot to mention there is a chop going into the totem pole in 2 turns, then that city will build an archer to contribute to the effort. If I can chop a totem pole in the capital in time to build its archer it will be of the 5XP variety.

[Commodore]

Okay, looked around, poked a few tiles, but didn't finish anything because I'm unclear when you're out. First of all, I noticed a laudable set of plans that I am 110% behind:



I like the cut of your jib, Mr. Xenu, and I'm 100% aboard. Might need to wait another couple turns before showing the full war mode though. Depressingly, those lush Azzarian lands are far away, needs a full set of combat workers to speed dogs/archers/spears along, with chariots built last because they can catch up. Handy, reasonable reminder:



I looked at the overall empire. It's pitifully small, no doubt, but there are actually some nice sites to be settled and the neighborhood is at least reasonably safe (secure north at least).



I noticed one thing. It might be a bummer, but it also might make for a really nice capture. Stone + Mack and Seven? Yeah, 'mids are falling soon, although maybe Lewwyn wants them for Police State and will contest.



Lovely stone site you have there, also something to grow capital cottages if Bureau is something that ever happens in this game. Settler for here ought to be chopped out post-haste, then the full mobilization can continue methinks. Criminal to let such a lovely site hang.



I understand Masonry might be a while, though. The tech situation is kind of grim, but fortunately this is Mao of the Natives. Tech is for people with other priorities, this guy is all about expansion and keep what you kill. Writing is wise though, enables some economy-limping when the crash comes.



Crop is even sadder than GNP, although with a little tile micro I was able to get MFG up to 2nd place, which is kind of awesome. Lots of nice hammers, and deforestation will only boost that further.



I like the capital's spear and chariot readiness, but another worker and then settler ought to come first. Not point in not spiking up to maximum power at the last second. Once the dogs get grouped, finish 'em all with totem-boosted archers tagging along.



Speaking of which, let the chop finish. Overflow and another chop ought to get another worker out of here before the borders pop, then we can work on getting that crop up (to whip more archers/dogs/chariots with, of course).



Need to buff this military a bit. Not a bad start at all though, only really vulnerable to chariots and a few spears will fix that. Let's say...two more dogs, three spears, and 4-6 following chariots in ten turns? While building at least two more workers and a settler?



How's the Plako border? Seems like it's been a while, surely he's been expanding north too. LP is probably more his concern though.



Did a bit of dotmapping too, I have occasional affections like this spot. I like the thought of stagnating working two river cottages, three furs, deer and cows. But that's just me being me.



This ought to be a fun collaboration. Not a bad murdering machine you have here.

[oledavy]

Rooting for you Commodore!

[waterbat]

Yes, the lurkers would like to see a major beat-down commence! good luck

[Injera]

Did a bit of dotmapping too, I have occasional affections like this spot. I like the thought of stagnating working two river cottages, three furs, deer and cows. But that's just me being me.

Me too. One of my favorite things about of Civ4 are sites like that. Cities that appear marginal at best and you realize, "Hey, this could actually be pretty useful."

A city there could easily pay for itself, and put out enough hammers with the cows/deer to build infra/contribute a few units. Probably not somewhere you'd want to whip while trying to fill out the 1f tiles, though.