****Whomp's Spoiler 18 Person Pitboss game****

[Whomp]

It's about time I posted a thread on this game. I'm playing Elizabeth of the English. I hope to get to some redcoats since they are very solid units.

This could turn out to be a very fun game. I'm currently between 3-5th in score if that means anything. Things have progressed pretty well so far. I'm on the end of the pangea so I have no one to my south other than some barbs that will need to be taken care of. I was one of the first to alphabet and luckily popped a hut for metal casing and I'm currently researching machinery. Trading has been hot and heavy. The economy is moving along nicely, including trade routes with the only AI Egypt. I also have some nice resources in my borders and more within range.

I have an alliance with Robi_D(greeks). Robi is a good MP player and I wanted a strong partner. We have exchanged all of our techs and he's met nearly everyone. I sent him metal casing and told him to hold off until we can get a solid trade. He is to my NW and we are both backed up by water. His research of maths will be finished in 5 turns and we've discussed having him research either construction or currency. BCLG(aztecs) may be added as a third partner and would research towards CoL or currency. We've also discussed trading some units as time goes on.

We have some very good players in this game including some CDZers Matrix and grs. grs is at war with the host daveshack. I've considered sending a warrior towards grs and pillaging his iron while he's busy with daveshack. daveshack is the host of the game so we can't have him get knocked out too early. I don't want to help any of these strong players like kuningas, davemcw and the fellow CDZers.

Here's a view of Whomper Room...
I changed to settler since there's iron that BCLG told me about to my north near the floodplains

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And the empire....

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Here's a view from the satelite. I will try to make some lines with the feature that allows me to do that later.

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Here's the current tech picture. I have a nice tech lead right now. Machinery is actually due in 14-16

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[Whomp]

Picked up a few more techs including HBR from Robi. The only techs I'm missing are the religious techs which are controlled by grs, matrix and I think RegentMan. I have a feeling DaveMcW just finished the Oracle sling since he went from lower third in score to #1 2 points ahead of me. I have received some coordinates from Robi D on the whereabout of some that I have not met. This includes grs, tubby and robboo. We still don't know where a few others are including Theoden, DaveMcW, Regentman, Sigma and a couple others. I believe they would be north of Matrix.

Speaking of Matrix it sounds like he's got Meleager and Robi looking to gang up on him. Since I'm in tight with Robi and strategically with BCLG and Meleager I may jump on the pile. We need the religion! We still have a considerable tech lead that I think will widen even further after I finish machinery, Robi finishes maths and BCLG CoL.

Here's a view...


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[Whomp]

Things have become very interesting the last couple of turns as Matrix is being attacked by Robi D, Meleager and Robboo. Not looking good for poor Matrix since Robi is #1 in power and Meleager has praetorians. Looks like the Jewish capital is under siege.

It seems some of the big players are being sent a message since GeorgeOP attacked Kuningas today as well. I think I'll keep my friends close and be happy I have water to my back.

This makes me happy. Commerce seems to be to civ4 what growth was to civ3.


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With the #1 GNP in the game the tech lead continues since I just got machinery in. Most players don't even have metal casting yet. Grs just got it but self researched. Robi has some deals working for currency, monarchy and construction without trading metal casting. We decided the best thing to do is attempt theocracy. Cross your fingers we become Christians. Worst case we get a good civic.

Time to work on the military for a bit since Trumpton will finish the library in 2 and Whomper Room just finished a settler and knocking out 2 turn archers (upgrade to crossbows will be coming with iron). THe settler is headed towards the iron NE of Trumpton and will get some sheep too.

Where to settle next? I think if I head west I can fill in the south later.


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[romeothemonk]

I would go north and west.

In your situation, my goal would be to get up 5 cities and turtle up till Redcoats.

[Whomp]

quote:Originally posted by Mauer

I see a situation arising on my southern border. I think in another turn or two we'll both be saying "Our close borders spark tension." Especially considering the resources right there on the soon to be border towns.

So is this it then? I'll be honest and say that I don't think I can put much of an offensive on. I would desperately like to avoid such a conflict as well. I mean there are 2 irons there. So what needs to be done?

quote:Originally posted by Whomp

Hey. No conflict.

It looked like there were two iron deposits and one is within your border. I was planning to cover the 2nd iron with the settler. From there I will expand west and south.

quote:Originally posted by Mauer


Sounds fair to me. If you would like to expand the whole map it would be fine with me. Save for Daveshack and myself. We have your Northern border safegaurded if you want to go that route then.

A short conversation with Mauer today. He seems concerned and I guess he should since I'm up HBR, metal casing and machinery. It sounds like the deal for construction fell through as DaveMcW wanted machinery from Robi D. Not happening. Robi will finish his research on drama and head to CS so we can start on maces. We will most definitely be the first to maces I'd think.

quote:Originally posted by romeothemonk

I would go north and west.

In your situation, my goal would be to get up 5 cities and turtle up till Redcoats.

I was thinking the next 3 cities would be west to connect Robi and cutoff my south. I may let the barbarians build a city to my south since I will undoubtedly have superior units and will use them for promos and city builders. From there it will be north towards the empty spaces. With redcoats I could be very dangerous so getting there is the key. Fully protecting the cities will be the order of the day.

BTW I'm feeling a little neglected since Tubby is already on page 2 of his spoiler. Are his that much cooler? Tell me what you'd like to see since your wish is my command.

[akots]

Well, you are trying to outspam Tubby? That is a competition you (or anyone for that be) cannot hope to win imho.

[Whomp]

quote:Originally posted by akots

Well, you are trying to outspam Tubby? That is a competition you (or anyone for that be) cannot hope to win imho.

Heh I think Tubby is a much better spammer than I. What I'm hoping for is some thoughts from some of the superior players at CDZ. There are some high quality players in this game and it would be a thrill to win this thing. I have a feeling with 18 people it could come down to a space race and I'd like to prepare for that victory condition.

[romeothemonk]

If I were in your position, there are a few things I would work on.
1) Cities. Get to 5 of them really quickly
2) Military. Having a few X-bows and Maces around prevent someone from overrunning you quickly.
3) Get some LB's up. LB's with City Defense are dang near invicible until way later, or tons of suicide cats.
4) Make plans to take out a neighbor in ~ 75-80 turns. Nothing helps show that you are serious like kicking some dude in the junk.

[Whomp]

OK here's an update since last time. I will have pictures up this evening.

I researched theo and it seems I have Christianty in the bag since no one founded it last turn and I'm finished this turn. I plan to spread the word in my two major cities.

From there I plan to go into anarchy and focus on military, settlers and workers and keep developing with my financial trait. The iron should be hooked up in 3 which will allow me to make crossbows. The horses are hooked up for Horse archers but I can build war elephants instead since Robi and I traded silver for ivory. Robi should have CS in 12ish so Maces are coming soon.

I will have a lib in Whomper Room in 3 and Trumpton has a lib and is training a settler so things are going well on the science and economic front. I plan to head towards some wines and sheep (pigs maybe). This settlement will solidify my western border and from there I can settle some furs to my south.

In other developments, it looks like Matrix is going down for the count today. He sent Theoden 2 workers which was a nice gift. Davemcw has declared on Saladin (one of 2 AI) and Regentman. He's already captured Stonehenge so things don't look too good for Regentman. I haven't heard what's happening to Kuningas' war with Tubby and GeorgeOP.

Recent intelligence says grs and davemcw are partnering up since they've been trading techs amongst themselves and probably realize they are marked people in this game. The good news is they are both up north of me. I have a feeling this is going to become a north versus south type game.
grs has refused my open borders offer so my warrior will have to head west through Hattie instead. grs is up monarchy on me.

[Whomp]

Grs and DaveMcW have become major targets. DaveMcW is in the process of eliminating Regentman and will likely do the same to Saladin. Most players think Theoden will be next. It's shaping up as a north versus south game. Here are a few pm's that have been exchanged. I am currently in theocracy and building all military units so I'm preparing for some war.

quote:Originally posted by Robi D

First the pitboss game. I've planted my 4th city this turn and will have the settler for the 5th finished in a couple turns. The other news is my scout has been wondering through DaveMcW territory and what i've seen doesn't bode well, He has flood plains all over the place and cottages to match so far i can see 7 floodplains all spammed with cottages and i have no doubt i will find atleast 4 or 5 few more. I haven't see his horse resource yet which means its deep in his territory, and i am yet to see where all his production is coming from, but i've only scratched the surface so far. I tell with your fiscal trait you would have made a killing in his position.

quote:Originally posted by Whomp
There is not doubt in my mind our #1 and #2 targets in this game are davemcw and grs. Our cooperation looks very similar to theirs.

IMO our whole plan needs to ultimately be their demise. The only way we can do this is with as much cooperation as we can muster. If we can draw in as many allies as possible we can bring them down. If this means gpt deals as tie ins, so be it. I would like to bring this down to a space race between us and a few satelites.

quote:Originally posted by Robboo
Robi, Whomp, BC, Meleager,
Robboo
OK...I have put butt on the line to help Theoden and slow down Dave. I am hoping you guys quit sitting on the sidelines and join in. Of course you could say "I am too far away"; "I am preparing for another war with XXX" or any other myriad of excuses.

If you let Dave continue...who will be left to help you. The time is now. Dave and grs will slowly expand eliminating all of us. BC, Robi and Mealeager...you guys are closer to them than Whomp and I. I suppose you could just wait till you get attcked before doing something. Why trade our own cities to slow down Dave. Right now he is fighting for someone elses cities and we can use that to our advantage by trading Theodens land whil e killing off Dave's units.

I am in and I hope to see you guys declare or help in other ways. If you dont want to declare...gift Theoden units.

Rob..( I suppose you could attack me now too since I am now fighting far from home. )