[PB81] Dreylin vacations in the Isles

[Dreylin]

T58 - we're back!

I founded Skye this turn at Orange Dot:



Third Worker is out as well, but I'm starting to feel short of improved tiles now all cities are growing. Iron is hooked next turn, so Eire put overflow into another Worker; it'll switch to a Praet next turn, but may then switch straight back since GB will grow onto the Ivory. I'm rethinking going straight to the Settler next turn at size5 and may grow to 6 instead on the Library (giving Workers a chance to catch up) and then possibly 3-whip the Settler. Basically I'll be juggling these 2 cities for a bit.

I'm also rethinking settling order and switching to Blue before Pink; Blue can share tiles with Yellow and the Workers will be in position, whereas Pink is out on a limb and will need separate support. The new Worker will add a Road on that current hill and then continue South to support Skye, while the Worker at GB starts adding shared cottages after the Iron road is complete.

xist took and kept a greenline city and is likely to continue to eliminate him. This is bad not only because I will have a strong neighbour, but because the shape of the map means that Gira and xist will have little to no border and thus it would be an easy choice to dogpile me at a future date. I may need to change my strategy and look to raid gira earlier than I had otherwise considered.

[Dreylin]

T63 -

With xist finishing off greenline and Vultures flocking into view, I decided to put the Library on the back burner and get myself some actual proper units:



First Praetorian finished at GB this turn, and the second was whipped at Eire. GB will put 39(!)h into the Settler so won't whip until t65, while Eire wants the overflow in the next Worker, but also wants to spend the extra turn growing back to s4. The Ivory has changed hands between these 2 cities at least 3turns in a row due to whip/growth timings.

At Skye, I had the Worker pair complete 2/3 of the road connection and next turn both will improve the Wheat - timed for Skye's growth. After finishing the connection with the road on the Wheat, one will move to chop the forest 1E of Skye while the other improves the Copper. Actually, maybe they both road SW of the Praetorian before heading to the Wheat, since that will speed settling Blue Dot by a turn. Skye also gets the trade route 2t earlier and can work the Oasis for a turn instead of the Wheat.

Meanwhile Worker 3 has finished an additional shared cottage and will move to chop the forest at Lewis 'n Harris. I haven't quite run the numbers and decided whether to straight 2-pop whip the Granary or wait to 1-pop after the chop, but am leaning towards the latter with overflow into a Galley.

Research took a 1t pause after Maths to build gold and will head to Sailing (2-3t tech) next. Another pause - probably saving on Masonry - and then I'll commit to either Currency or Metal Casting depending whether there is queue space for Forges yet.

[Dreylin]

T64 -

Gira has a couple of Chariots nosing at borders - probably to scout since we have OB, but he could also be lining up to settle the Pink Dot area. I think Lewis 'n Harris is going to start a Chariot next since that city has little production and it could be whipped immediately, while Eire & GB are going to slot in second Preatrorians each after the current foodhammer builds. I'm very tempted to just keep stacking up and go after him, but I also need to keep an eye on Xist on my other border. I've seen 4 unique Vultures, which I think is probably all his main hitters, but he also just hit Iron Working as he is starting to cut the Rice out of the Jungle.

I'm also going to accumulate an upgrade float - after finishing Sailing next turn, I'm going to make sure I keep at least one Warrior->Spear/Axe worth on hand for emergencies. Currently that about 2.5 turns of gold at max saving, so I don't think it's too much to keep on hand.

[Dreylin]

T66 - Yeeeeah

This is going to have to go:


I'm gearing up for this then. L&H is overflowing 19h this turn, then the chop comes in next turn and finishes the Praet. I'll follow that with a Chariot whip here. Workers setting up for Shetland will move to chop after finishing the Farm and road. GB will slow build and Eire will chop another with the new Worker. Main thrust will be at the Hindu Holy city of Leida, SW of the Oasis - I need to go back and work out timing for it to pop 3rd-ring borders. Also if I can squeeze in a Barracks somewhere so I can get a promo on at least a couple. Maybe chopping into Skye, which is slated to be a Military city long-term.

This is Giraflorens' 5th city; currently two are at size2 and the others are size1, so not a lot of prospect for whipping.

[Qgqqqqq]

What are your war aims?

[Dreylin]

What are your war aims?

Cripple Giraflorens.

As soon as it became clear that xist was going to cripple / eliminate greenline, it's been a matter of when not if I would be dogpiled by my neighbours. Even before that, the shape of the continent meant that I would be Giraflorens' major / only neighbour, and therefore any path of expansion for them would roll through me. We are going to fight eventually, and it seems like now is going to be my best opportunity while they are still pushing expansion and Praetorians are at the height of their effectiveness.

I don't need to eliminate them completely, but at least push them back to their Capital and control the ground in between. That means taking Lleida in their East and Dehli and the Copper city behind it along the coast. All while deterring xist from involvement, since this could go horribly wrong if they join in; but I don't know if I'm going to have a better shot at making myself more secure long term.

Hmmm, looks like Lleida is due to pop 3rd ring in the next couple of turns which is a shame because of the added visibility and the cultural defenses. Looks like I'll be going for Construction before Currency, and I may have to content myself with just grabbing his coastal holdings.

[Dreylin]

T68 -

Gira built the Oracle and I think took Metal Casting - which would make perfect sense for IND. So he's going to be working on Forges for the foreseeable.

Delhi now has an Axe in it, however Lleida is guarded only by a single Warrior. We'll see how things change over the next couple of turns.

[Dreylin]

T72 - progress report





Next turn Lewis 'n Harris whips the Praet and the turn after I'll be able to advance with 4 Prates and an Axe (upgraded).

Skye will 1t a Praet after the Barracks and then I'll have 4 on that side as well with the 2 from GB & Eire following. Those cities will then generate a Chariot each to catch up with the main forces.

[Dreylin]

I hate sitting on a turn waiting to play.

Unfortunately Gira(Magic) rolled turn 72 to 73, so now I can’t play t74 without it being a double move. I’ve been expecting not to declare until t75, but I would bring that forward if an opportunity presents itself, and I don’t want to play this turn without the option.

[Dreylin]

Actually, I have a rules consensus question. Gira has a pair of Chariots spying out my terrain; if I declare and they teleport to vulnerable spots, am I free to attack them? I noted that there wasn’t a vote on “teleport tricks” during setup; would this be classed as a teleport trick, and if so am I free to take advantage of an opportunity?