Civ 5 Multiplayer 5: Empire Strikes Back (Giant Multiplayer Robot, G&K+BNW)

[Illven]

Spoiler: The snark

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Are you sure that spot is good? It's a little lux poor.

[The_Snark]

Spoiler: Japan

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It is luxury-poor; however, I don't have any better candidates at the moment, and my happiness can probably support it. If you have suggestions for a better location (that you aren't planning to settle yourself), I'm listening.

[Illven]

Spoiler: Japan

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It is luxury-poor; however, I don't have any better candidates at the moment, and my happiness can probably support it. If you have suggestions for a better location (that you aren't planning to settle yourself), I'm listening.

Spoiler: The_snark

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Unfortunately not really. We accept your desired city placement and appreciate the asking.

[Narkis]

Spoiler: Spectators

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When I took over Portugal I promised some pictures, and it's time I delivered. Warning, long.

First, demographics:



Consistently below average, but thankfuly last in nothing. Especially troubling are my (lack of) production and tech. My army is also pathetic, but the seas are excellent protection against anyone but the Aztecs. Frigates would wreck me, but I doubt anyone will have mass produced them by the time I can get some of my own. And I'm pretty sure the Aztecs aren't planning to invade anytime soon.

Next, tech:



Not too bad, though the AI really loves Chivalry even when it is completely useless. My first order of business was to grab Metal Casting to help my production situation, and I'm now focusing on naval techs. I ended up stealing Banking from my "friends" the Polish. Unfortunately the Polish are no longer suitable for my tech exchange program (It would have taken 48 turns to get another tech from them) and my sole spy had to be relocated.



There wasn't much of a choice. Hopefuly the Celts won't take it too badly.

State of the Empire:



Not exactly the best of locations for a capital. Hats off to driderman for not abandoning it and doing as well as he did. If it were single player I'd probably have restarted myself. Note: The AI had NOT built the National College. I finished it only a couple turns ago. Seriously, wtf?



My second city, and the one the AI had decided to turn into a great people factory. Unfortunately it's too late to change it. I could write off the Writer's Guild, but not the National Epic. I'll have to ship some food if it's going to support specialists though. I won't be able to take full advantage of my national ability.



Third city. Pretty good location, with the potential to get some decent production going. Would have been much better if that holy site were in practically any place other than the only river grassland in the whole country. (Sadly, I'm not kidding. Why the hell is the AI in this game so bad? What happened to all the good programmers at Firaxis?) I'm very tempted to pave it over and get a farm in its place, but my few workers are currently busy with more crucial infrastructure.



Fourth City. Finally, one that the AI has managed to, well, not mismanage. Will start cranking out Naus as soon as I get the tech in two turns. I'm anxious to meet the guy with three times my production.



Fifth and final, for now, City. Settled only a couple turns ago to grab Uluru, with the Aztecs' permission. Will become decent enough in due time.

Bonus image:



I popped a settler to grab those two iron resources, but now that he's close I'm having second thoughts. It's an awful location for a city, and will become good only if it grabs oil completely by chance. Not sure I want to gamble that heavily. I'd like also the kind specators to note that the settler is currently being escorted by half my standing army.

I forgot to screenshot my Social Policies. The AI had all Tradition policies except one () and a couple in Piety. I also forgot to screenshot my religion, which has Tithe and some good but not great beliefs.

Strategic analysis: There's no way I can win this. Culture victory is right out, tech is dicey with me being behind even the Poland AI, and getting a big enough army to conquer even one capital is a pipe dream. My first priority will be to survive till the end and hope for an opportunity that might possibly give me a chance at victory. I'll have to try and discourage warmongering and encourage people to seek a peaceful type of victory, though I can't exactly through my weight around at the moment.

The peaceful Aztecs will make for excellent friends. They have even happily adopted my religion, though with a player that's only as important as they want it to be. Japan has also proven to be very reasonable, but I have no idea if they can beat the Romans, who I haven't even met yet. I've had no contact with the Celts, can't comment on them. My spy might be the icebreaker we need.

Spoiler: Aztec

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Our people have been friends for centuries, and we would like to remain so for centuries to come. Would you like to make that known to the world with a formal Declaration of Frienship? And if so, would you like to sign a Research Agreement, and let the free flow of information help both our Science efforts?

[The_Snark]

Spoiler: Portugal

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We would be happy to formalize our cooperation and sign a research agreement.

[Narkis]

Spoiler: Aztec

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Wonderful! May this frienship last till the end of times!

[Illven]

Spoiler: Indonesia

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Sent a lux trade for a lux trade

Spoiler: War room update. Spectators only

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The war is not going well.



Yeah, not alot of iron here...



This is also bad.



Pallet town has taken some slight injures, but remains strong



And it responds by striking down a siege engine.



And the scout sees a barbarian camp.



And the worker finished gems.



Spearman move into Snowbelle city.



Reinforcements will arrive.



The workers move as well.



The pikeman move to engage.



The Crossbowman start on a enemy pikeman. If we kill all their melee, they can't take the city.



More reinforcements.



Lux trade!

[Frog Dragon]

Spoiler: To Japan

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I sent a counteroffer. I sold off my surplus nutmeg last turn, so I no longer have any extra. Offering wine instead. I do have an extra of that.

[Illven]

Spoiler: War room. Spectators only

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Right. Vatican city. My first priority




Acceptable.



I'll do what I can citizens.



Pallet town silently shoots at it's prey.



Warrior moves through the hills.



Trireme waits for prey.



Spearman protects Snowbelle city.



Worker flees.




Pikeaman engages the musketman



It goes about as well as could be expected.



The crossbowmen shoots out a trebuchet, as the composite bowman joins the crossbow.




Reinforce Pallet town.



Protect the whales!



Eventually we'll get tiles on the main continent.



Scout scours the world.

[Frog Dragon]

GMR is screwing up right now. When I try to play my turn, it says it's thirsting's turn and I can't actually play. I'll revert. Doing it twice since while Doomer has started to mostly play his turns again, now he has gotten skipped twice.

[Illven]

Yeah, had to submit the save twice to get it to go through.

Spoiler: War room. Spectators only..... You know, is it weird that a government is allowing total strangers into it's war room. Ah well.

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War is going about as well as it's been going. So pretty crap, honestly.



Blue Pallet town need food badly!



Fire, fire, fire, at the siege!



The warriors scouts.



The worker plantates.



Reinforce Pallet town if it lives!




Worker uses runaway



Shoot the Pikeman Crossbowmon.



Move forward.



Protect the whales.



Wait..



Scout where I'll place my next city as I run!

[thirsting]

Spoiler: Not a spoiler! World congress pictures

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[Illven]

Spoiler: Portugal.

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Thanks for the aid!

Spoiler: Spectator war update

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War's going great.... It's all a ruse to get Rome to overextend before the counter attack.



That's nice at least.



Alot of gems deals are canceled.



However no more tourism.



Thank you Portugal.



Warrior runs away from the coast.



Hold the line, Spearman.






Flee, flee for freedom.




Let's try to reinforce border cities.



Worker waits. And soon I'll build a settler and hope Rome doesn't have Astronomy.



Scout. Where will I place my city?



Peace treaty?



How is Rome still happy.

[Narkis]

Spoiler: Japan

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You're very welcome. I wish I could do more to help, but the Portuguese army is sadly practically nonexistent.

[Illven]

Spoiler: Japan

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You're very welcome. I wish I could do more to help, but the Portuguese army is sadly practically nonexistent.

Spoiler: Narkis

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Have a nearby city site I could flee settle on?

[Narkis]

Spoiler: Japan

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Well, there's some empty ice to my North-East, but it's empty ice and thus a very poor city location. Some decent empty spots to the south of the continent as well, but that's the Aztec sphere of influence more than mine.

[thirsting]

Spoiler: To Indonesia

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Our people, the blasted youth, have seen an opportunity that clearly was too good to pass, and so they have sneaked in and claimed land that clearly belongs to you. They were desperate to find a worthy new spot for their homes, to start anew somewhere away from our crowded homelands, and it seems they have found such a place from your island.

We, the Elder Council, regardless hope our peoples find a way to co-exist peacefully. We understand we are in much dept to Indonesians if you allow our cities and people to prosper and live so close to you. We hope there comes a time we can repay you, one way or another.

There will be no further aggressive settling near you. You have our word. Please spare our rash youth from your wrath, no matter how righteous it would be, and we are sure you will eventually find this whole ordeal very beneficial to your people in the long run. Trust us.

- Spokesman of Celtic Elder Council

Spoiler: sneak peek

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Spoiler: To Spectators

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Oh my, what a good spot for a city!


Too bad it's so close to Indonesia. On the same island, I think. I predict the brand new town will be a burning pile of rubble very, very soon. Unless Indonesia for some weird reason decides to tolerate this new city. Either way, things just got much more interesting...

[Frog Dragon]

Spoiler: To The Celts

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The Great Mahapatih is deepy displeased with your inability or unwillingness to control your pioneers. We remind you that your presence on this island is dependent on our goodwill, and recommend against wasting it on such landgrabs.

-The Indonesian Ambassador

Spoiler: To Spectators

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Yeah this is not going to stand.


This city was built with my permission.


However, this one was not. It is also on primo real-estate. I was going to settle that. I'm going to take that.


However, I need a few turns to prepare. My army is pretty weak because I've been mostly alone here and didn't expect to have to war anyone. Also, what army I do have is mostly tied up in exploration. I need to pull them back to my island for the war. For now I won't make any overt threats in The Celts' direction, and I suspect I couldn't beat them in an all out war. So my plan is to build up my forces, mostly my navy, declare war, quickly take both of the cities the Celts have put on my mainland, and offer terms. A large navy is insurance against them deciding to send more troops at me. The Celts are stronger than me, but I should be able to beat them this close to home.

[Frog Dragon]

Spoiler: To Spectators

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I think the Celts are trying to buy off my wrath. I just got a gift of 10 gold/turn and truffles. I accepted, but only because it will help in my preparations for war. There shall be no mercy.

[OrcusMcP]

Spoiler: Spectator comment!

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FIGHT!FIGHT!FIGHT!FIGHT!

[Frog Dragon]

Spoiler: Magentawolf, thou shalt not read.

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The great Mahapatih has taken note of the meteoric rise of Rome. We urge the leaders of all the nations to consider what can be done to ensure our independence against this waxing imperial power, and ensure that none of us fall under hegemony.

We might have a runaway on our hands. Rome just effectively knocked Japan out. They dwarf the average civ by a factor of two in a number of significant metrics, and currently have no real check on their growth. They at least do not lead in technology thus far, but I also have no reason to believe they are backward. Medium-term action is needed or Rome will likely spiral past the point where even a coalition cannot truly match them.

[Magentawolf]

@Frog Dragon - Well, that's not suspicious at all, is it? *squint*

[Frog Dragon]

You saw nothing. *Jedi hand wave*

[thirsting]

Spoiler: To Indonesia

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It appears you want Ivory Wineyards. There's not much we can do to stop you, so lets avoid needless bloodshed. The people do not really care under which ruler they live, as long as they are allowed to thrive. The city is yours.

We only ask that you let those who want to get away to escape, and that you let Faraway Town alone. They surely have the right to remain part of our Empire? If you allow this, then we might some day consider helping with the problem of runaway Romans, whether you take our other city by force or not.

- Celtic Ambassador


(I hope that spoiler WAS meant for everyone else than Roman player to see?)

[The_Snark]

Spoiler: Magentawolf, thou shalt not read.

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The great Mahapatih has taken note of the meteoric rise of Rome. We urge the leaders of all the nations to consider what can be done to ensure our independence against this waxing imperial power, and ensure that none of us fall under hegemony.

We might have a runaway on our hands. Rome just effectively knocked Japan out. They dwarf the average civ by a factor of two in a number of significant metrics, and currently have no real check on their growth. They at least do not lead in technology thus far, but I also have no reason to believe they are backward. Medium-term action is needed or Rome will likely spiral past the point where even a coalition cannot truly match them.

Spoiler: Secret Clubhouse (No Romans Allowed)

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The Mexica people consider Japan an ally, and were distressed to learn of their defeat at Caesar's hands. Although our distance from the Roman borders (and lack of a strong navy) will prevent us from participating in any sort of military action, we would be willing to lend aid in other ways -- providing intelligence, for instance:



Our agents theorize that the Romans are on the verge of industrialization.

What sort of action did you have in mind?

[Illven]

Spoiler: Secret clubhouse. (No Romans allowed)

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What it's our turn. We will provide so much intelligence.

Detailed maps, and in a turn or two, some of their techs.

[Narkis]

Spoiler: Japan

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In our recent exploration efforts, we have discovered an island to the North of your current capital inhabited by a single city-state, Ur. Would you object to us settling a city there?

Regardless of your answer, we'd offer our support, however meager, to any future attempt to reclaim your homeland.

Spoiler: Secret clubhouse. (No Romans allowed)

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Portugal also considers Japan an ally, and we're very concerned about Rome's aggressive expansion. We'd be willing to join the coalition to stop them, but we are unable to help at the moment.

[Illven]

Spoiler: Portugal

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I have no problems with it. But I think someone else is intending to settle there.

[Frog Dragon]

Spoiler: To The Celts

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Your offer is reasonable. We accept. Faraway Town will be allowed to remain under your administration, but the Ivory Wineyards will be transferred under ours. Those celtic peoples that choose not to leave for other cities of your empire will be treated well, and considered as citizens.

We hope this will allow our realms to return to amicable relations.

- The Indonesian Ambassador

OoC: And yes, the "Magentawolf, thou shalt not read" spoiler was intended for everyone except Magentawolf.

Spoiler: To Spectators

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Sorry to any spectators. No war this time. Thirsting pretty much gave me what I wanted.


His other city I was not terribly interested in, and I actually considered razing it after I took it. While the war itself would've been a foregone conclusion (I take his cities in a couple of turns), I'm not sure I could've avoided losing at least one unit in the process. So I accepted. At 2 pop, Ivory Wineyards will be marginally more useful than at 1.


Still getting resistance. Ah well. Couple turns of puppeting and then I can purchase a courthouse.


Infrastructure development continues. I actually don't have that much to build in Jakarta right now, but Harbor will at least pay itself back in gold. Maybe I should build barracks as well. I always tend to forget the military buildings. Also noticed I had forgotten to buy my faith building, the Monastery. On this island of wine, it is quite useful.


Indonesia needs iron! While preparing to fight the Celts, I noticed I only had one spare iron for frigates. This must be fixed.

I'm also building another settler in Surabaya. I have the happiness to support more cities right now, and I'm falling behind on hammers and growth. I need to make more cities. From this angle, this little spat with the Celts was quite useful, since I got another city without having to spend hammers or gold on settlers. My own island still has a couple of good spots, but ideally I'd find something on another continent and trigger Spice Islanders again.

Spoiler: Secret Clubhouse (No Romans Allowed)

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I don't have a specific plan of action. I would need more intelligence for that. I am on an island east of the Romans, but I don't have full view of their empire.

In general, we'll probably have to war them to drain their production and growth base. Of course, we must be careful that the same does not happen to us. If Japan can give us a rough idea of their tech level, that would be very helpful.

[thirsting]

Spoiler: To Portugal

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Would a research agreement of any kind between our nations be a possibility? I suspect our alchemists and astrologists have lots of useful bits and pieces to learn from each other.

- Celtic Ambassador

Spoiler: To Spectators

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Had to give our new city Ivory Wineyards to Indonesia almost right away (see picture few posts earlier). Could have fought, but they quickly surrounded the city quite effectively, with a lot of units. There would have been only one possible outcome anyway, and this way our worker, crossbowman and missionary got away safely and, more importantly, our other city on Indonesian islands stays untouched. Much less valuable city, but still.

I'd call this a small diplomatic victory. Not cowardice. Victory! My only regret is having had spent faith to build a Pagoda in there already, but ah well. Just a small extra bonus for Indonesia.