[SPOILERS - PBEM17] novice and spaceman - Suryavarman of India

[spacemanmf]

Got it.

[spacemanmf]

Got this when I opened the save. For some reason he has put clams up despite talking about rice. I ignored it for now. We can offer it next turn if you like.



Speaking of rego, two more cities lost.



I wandered our frigate into his territory to have a look. There's a rifle in each and some outdated units.



As instructed by novice, I chewed up a Great Scientist into Physics for max overflow.



And whipped the National Park in Financial Trap.



I switched EPs to Dave mainly, taking them off rego (since he might not last much longer at this rate so they are a waste, plus we have a margin over seeing his research) and Shoot (on whom we also have a decent margin).



End of turn we got ANOTHER Great Scientist. Which I guess is not so now given that we are going to bulb with two of the three we have. Also Uranium is where Dave said it was, fairly unsurprisingly.

[novice]

We could bulb Electricity with three scientists and go straight for radio. We waste a small handful of beakers but I think it's worth it, at least if we can then 1-turn Radio, which I hope we can.

By all means offer Rego a spare clam.

[spacemanmf]

We could bulb Electricity with three scientists and go straight for radio. We waste a small handful of beakers but I think it's worth it, at least if we can then 1-turn Radio, which I hope we can.

By all means offer Rego a spare clam.

He already had a clam, so I didn't bother...

[novice]

We waste a small handful of beakers but I think it's worth it, at least if we can then 1-turn Radio, which I hope we can.

We had about 3k overflow into Physics this turn, and researched the tech using 1.6k beakers produced, plus 1.4k from a bulb, for a total of 6k, which means we'll have 6k-3.8k = 2.2k overflow next turn. Electricity costs 4.2k which equals almost exactly three bulbs - Radio then costs 5.8k. So we'll need 5.8k - 2.2k = 3.6k to complete Radio, which is not doable in 1 turn, but maybe in 2.

CR then costs 670 hammers, which Capital can produce in 9-10 turns.

[novice]

He already had a clam, so I didn't bother...

Hm. Maybe he's expecting it to get pillaged.

[novice]

Apparently, Dave thinks we sold our Frigate to Rego. As the screenshot shows, Rego had his own Frigate lurking, though.

[novice]

Some interesting chats today with Darrell, Dave and Rego. Tl;dr: Getting the prophet transported may not be straightforward, Rego will do whatever we want, and we'll need a 33% odds great engineer from Pyramid Scheme if we want Christo Redentor (Darrell will have Radio in 6 turns).

Chats with Darrell:

14:23
Darrell: that was a joke in the UN thread, just in case you aren't sure

me: which post? the last one?

Darrell: my last one yeah

me: yeah no worries

what are you teching now?
14:24
Darrell: something top secret

you?

me: nothing

well, Physics, nominally

Darrell: we are on physics too
14:25
me: do you have need for a great scientist?

Darrell: I did see that

I have two GEs currently, which can't be used for a golden age obviously

but I have another GP born in about 6 turns

so I was hoping to get a GM or GS from that

odds are veyr high

but hten the last GE was only 14%
14:26
me: hm

want to do a swap?

Darrell: I would be reluctant to send you a GE

I think I have a use for it
14:27
me: for two?

Darrell: well one is for a GA when my next GP is born

the second is for something shiny

me: ah right

Darrell: here I got giving you free info again :P

me: you'll be rewarded in heaven
14:28
Darrell: kik

lol

me: what are you planning to rush?

Darrell: I am not sure I should tell you that information
14:29
It would be nice if you teched towards the same wonder only to have it rushed out from under you, in a mean sort of way

me: no, that wouldn't be nice



it would be better to save us both the headache
14:30
Darrell: We could play a guessing game

you could say what wonder you are going for, and I could recommend for or against it
14:31
me: okay... Pentagon?

Darrell: go for it

me: Broadway?

Darrell: that might not be a bad idea, but it might not be a great idea either

me: Eiffel Tower?

Darrell: That's a pretty safe one

me: Christo Redentor?
14:32
Darrell: that might not be a bad idea, but it might not be a great idea either

(its possible I'm torn)

me: so, torn between Broadway and CR?

Darrell: let's just for the sake of argument say I had some hits, would you be willing to trade for them?

I have so hapyp issues right now, so broadway is tempting

and cristo is cristo
14:33
both would be idea

ideal
14:34
me: well if one of us built broadway and the other rock and roll we could trade
14:35
Darrell: yeah, that';s a possibility

are you going for broadway?

me: depends

what's your ETA on Electricity?

Darrell: frankly Id rather you go for SP so I can get some trade routes

If I push it, 3 turns

you?
14:36
me: 1 turn

Darrell: well there you go

me: well, we don't have a GE on hand

Darrell: I will give you a non-compete on broadway if you give me one on rock and roll, and an agreement we trade the resources
14:37
me: what about CR then?

Darrell: may be the best civ win?

what's your ETA on radio?

must be pretty fast

me: if so I wouldn't want to give you non-compete on anything, so you'd have to guess what to rush

Darrell: meanie

me: our Radio ETA must be pretty fast, yes
14:38
frankly I think it's more symbiotic that you ignore Radio for now

you can build Broadway

Darrell: hmm

I'll have to think all this over
14:40
me: please do

15:52
me: have you thought it over and discussed with your allies?

Darrell: I was asking Dave if he was going for Broadway
15:53
He didn't seem to want to commit, but I think he's probably some turns away from the tech

me: so, want to do a deal?
15:54
where's the save, btw?

Darrell: The mor eI think about it, the more I think I am the one with the ace in the whole (the GE)

So I'm not sure what deal would improve my situation
15:55
me: well, we could agree to share hits/musicals
15:56
Darrell: Yeah, I can agree to that for sure

me: but we'd like to build CR

Darrell: Im sure everyone wants to build CR

me: but Radio is kind of a dead end tech
15:57
Darrell: subs!

bombers!

me: need flight

Darrell: which is not a dead end tech either
15:58
I think you cvould say radio is not a near term need if yo uaren't going for the wonders there
16:00
me: right, so there is some opportunity cost, which is silly to duplicate
16:01
Darrell: Yeah, I would agree with that
16:04
me: our next GP has 33% odds of being a GE

Darrell: looks like you have a 33% chance of getting yoru wonder then!
16:07
(which wonder?)
16:11
me: that's what you'll have to guess

Darrell: lets be frank, we both know the real anser because the wonders aren't equal

its an insult to each other's intelligence to pretend otherwise

me: lol
16:12
ok

Darrell: Hopefully your next GP is farther away than me ETA on Radio.
16:14
me: I'll be happy to tell you

I just need your ETA on Radio

Darrell: If i tell you me ETA on radio, will you promise to tell me your ETA on the GE?

me: yes
16:15
Darrell: I believe with some juggling I can get it in 5 turns

I am positive I can get it in 6

me: that includes your Electricity ETA?

Darrell: Actually, I can get it in 6 at break even research

correct

I got phsyics EOT
16:16
your turn :P

me: 3 turns until our next GP

Darrell: man you are cranking them out, your GS wasn't that long ago :OP
16:17
well, at least I'll know in 3t what to tech

In fact, I can probably get Drama and max overflow without slowing radio down, so I would not have to invest in it just yet
16:18
me: yeah
40 minutes
16:58
me: but seriously Darrell, playing the save goes before chatting about it
17:00
Darrell: :-)

Chat with Dave:

15:42
me: what frigates?
15:44
David: the ones you've been gifting/loaning to Rego

me: lol

we've done no such thing

David: sorry....

calling bullshit

me: whatever

David: no offense

I would prob wage a proxy war too
15:45
me: well we haven't but I don't really mind what you think
15:46
David: at any rate, are you going for the radio/electricity wonders?
15:47
me: are you?

David: heh

me: the two questions are interlinked

David: darn it, thought I could pull a Rego

me: why do I get the feeling you've been chatting with Darrell?
15:48
David: because I have

and Shoot
15:49
you'll be thrilled to know last turn Rego attacked my East Indiamen with a mysterious frigate, south of Seven Spirits, it lost at 73.4% odds
15:50
me: where is Seven Spirits?

and what's so mysterious about Rego having frigates?

David: directly west of Pindicator

a hunch, not positive

would be funny though

"this is what happens when you outsource boatbuilding!"
15:51
me: definitely do things yourself if you want it done properly
15:52
so are you and Darrell going to fund each other to the Electricity wonders?
15:53
David: heh

Chats with Rego:

14:15
me: so... ouch

Dan: oh?

me: have you read the pbem17 trash talking thread?

Dan: no

me: better not then
14:16
Dan: oh did darrell declare on me?

me: it appears so

Dan: ah

i had forgotten he could

oh well

guess that just means i'll be out sooner
14:17
me: yeah, I guess

so, not to be insensitive, but your credit rating is plummeting

Dan: heh

so 800 gold

me: yeah

Dan: seems a little shy of a GP

how about 200 gold more for the GP?
14:18
me: great prophet?

Dan: yes

me: is it worth 1000 gold?

Dan: well if we say it was a great merchant

it would be worth much more than that as a trade mission, right?

me: yes
14:19
Dan: or a GE would be worth more than that in hammers

me: how much is a GE worth in hammers, btw?

Dan: not sure

paging dr. t-hawk!

me: can you keep a secret?

Dan: sure
14:20
me: we're thinking of building CR

but Darrell has Physics and a GE

so I'm not sure how big of a head start we'd need

CR is 670 hammers
14:21
Dan: if only there was some sort of repository of information

that could be easily searched.....

"On normal speed, he gives 500 + 20 * city size. "

so i'd imagine that * 2/3

me: hm
14:22
so it would be 1 turn buildable in a size 20 city that had some natural production on top

Dan: that seems reasonable

i'd probably WB it if i were you....

me: do you know what Darrell's researching next?

Dan: no

i had all my EPs on shoot and dave

but i'll put them ond arrell if you want

me: no, we have research visibility
14:23
Dan: ok
14:24
me: but we need to wait until next turn until we see what he's picked after Physics, I think

Dan: well he could have 1 turned something

have you been keeping track of what he has?

me: not really
14:26
Dan: ok

i have a spreadsheet

he likes to get small techs to save gold

and build up overflow
14:27
does he have drama / hbr / theo / music / econ?
6 minutes
14:33
me: no drama, music nor econ
14:34
nor hbr

so you're right, he'll probably collect some overflow

Dan: did he finish physics this turn then?

ah right

me: I assume so, I haven't got the save yet
6 minutes
14:41
me: anyway, I have a feeling we've had this discussion before, but I think 1000 gold is overvaluing a great prophet

Dan: ok

me: it gives 700ish beakers when bulbing

so it should be worth less than 700 gold
14:42
Dan: well it would give more than 700 gold if you say made the kong miao

or more importantly as 1/2 of a golden age

me: how much is a golden age worth?

Dan: no clue
14:43
me: 6 turns of improved yields, can't be that valuable

so the prophet would be worth 3 turns
14:44
but a shrine would be 44gpt for us

so that's decent, I suppose

Dan: tell ya what

i'll do whatever you want me to do

given how everyone else is at war with me ;-)

me: I don't want to screw you over
14:45
where is your prophet, anyway?

Dan: capital

my coastal cities aren't exactly safe right nwo ;-)
14:46
me: yeah

ok, I take it you'd rather pay with GP plus/minus some offset than with gold?

Dan: it doesn't matter to me
14:47
whatever you want

me: ok

Dan: the odds that i am going to get 2 more GPs and still be relevant in this game are low

so the prophet is not that useful to me
14:48
me: Right. I'll let you know, then.

Dan: ok

you'll need to provide safe transport

me: I'll send a galleon to pick it up

hopefully our NAPs will protect us

Dan: problem is that you have to gift me the galleon

me: crap

Dan: otherwise my units can't load it
14:49
me: yeah I understand
14:50
uh.. I don't see a safe way to arrange that

our frigates are no match to Darrell's destroyers

Dan: sure

well i'll have combustion at eot i think

if you gifted me a galleon and some money

i could upgrade it to a transport
14:51
and maybe 1t it to one of your cities?

me: that would have to be one fast-moving transprt

brb

Dan: even to hostile takeovver?

or that island city NE of me?
14:54
me: I'm assuming we have to start in one of your cities

Dan: or 1t away maybe?
14:56
me: if the seas are Dave-free we could do that
14:57
Dan: well if it's a transport

dave shouldn't have anything that coudl touch that, right?

me: hm yeah

Dan: str 16

me: unless he has many airships
14:58
Dan: which he does

but even then it can only go down to 80hp

he could sink it for sure

if he had units in the right place

i'd ask if you could explain to the other folks that this ship is "yours"
14:59
but your luck with GPs in this game and other players has ..... not been so great

me: yeah...I could ask...but i wouldn't trust the answer anyway

hey guys, care to ignore this ship that's evacuating your war loot?
15:00
Dan: right
15:01
in any case

as the only folks not at war with me
15:02
and my chances of being relevant over

i'll do whatever you want

if you want me to focus on a particular person i will

or gift you my citeis

or whatever
15:03
me: I think the only request we have atm is that you try to save up some gold in case we need to reclaim the loan in cash

Dan: okay

i will finish off combustsion this turn

then save gold

me: sounds good

Dan: probably research physics
15:04
me: yeah I was about to ask

if you were planning any more techs before your "last stand"

I guess Physics is the only one worthwhile?

Dan: depends where this game goes

i could go to flight

me: oh wait, you can research AL

Dan: after physics

right or AL - >Indu
15:05
me: well regardless saving gold gives us flexibility to decide

gotta go cook dinner soon

playing housewife these days

Dan: nice

me: it's a full time job though
39 minutes
15:44
me: Dave thinks we've gifted you frigates
15:45
Dan: i see

me: anyway, did you start this 3 vs 1 fight? when?



Dan: darrell thinks it's because i don't give anything when i diplo

i always ask for things
15:46
me: that's how you started the fight? feels like Krill's referring to something specific

Dan: oh is that a post somewhere

me: just some trash talk
15:48
Dan: yeah nots ure how i started it

but whatevs

[novice]

Got it.

[novice]

Played T133. I decided to use our three great scientists to bulb Electricity, as I think useful bulbs are generally speaking the best use of great scientists at this stage of the game.

I then set research to combustion, max tax, and switched a bunch of scientists to merchants and spies to bring the research time down to 3 turns. Why? So that we can finish combustion at max sci on T135, and direct the overflow to Radio if Pyramid Scheme spawns a great engineer, and direct it to something else (e.g. Nationalism) otherwise.

(Screenshot taken after end of turn)


I also started some airships, and started Broadway in Capital.



We would probably do well to workshop those three non-resource farms, at least temporarily. Unfortunately our workers also want to railroad our empire. I think landing Broadway takes precedence, though.

Here's Financial Trap, our National Park city. It's getting four free specialists from those tundra forest preserves.



And finally, demographics.



Darrell and we are the leaders at the moment, but our #1 position in land area won't last, so Shoot and Dave will probably catch up quickly. Plus, they could just send their armies at us to even things out.