in the beginning of the game, if you do have
bronze working, should you build warriors or
phalanx?

i allways build two phalanxes in the beginning or
phalanx-settlers-phalanx.

so what do you think? (or how do you play?)

Something like:warrior,warrior,settler,settler,phalanx,horse or pike.

With Horseback it may be something like

warrior,horseman,settler,horseman or phalanx,settler

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Scouse Git[1]

Usually I go warrior, settler, warrior. But if I see an imminent danger, i.e., barbarian or known hostile AI, I might opt for a phalanx as the second defender. Actually, I might even change horses in midstream and switch the first warrior to a phalanx.

But for the most part, a couple of warriors is sufficient.

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Frodo lives!

quote: <font size=1>Originally posted by Shogun Gunner on 10-16-2000 11:27 AM</font> Do you mean that literally? A city on a river, changing warrior production to horseman product would be "Changing horses mid-stream!"

LOL!

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Frodo lives!

I agree that barbs do have this nasty habit, but usually the first couple or rounds of these redheads, one of the two coming is by himself if not, then i dont' learn well and....... another lost city, with my military advisor, smashing his drink in disgust

I almost always choose writing as my "off path" tech on my way to Monarchy, and I end up building warriors and diplomats, rather than horsemen and phalanx, in the beginning of the game.

The scourge of the early years is the infamous Barbarian Archer. They usually come in twos, accompanied by their leader.

With their attack bonus of 50% on deity level, the phalanx isn't going to hold up against two archers in most situations; even a couple phalanx are going to be hard pressed to withstand that assault.

Mix and match horses and phalanx against two barb archers; whatever combination you choose you're likely to end up on the short end of the stick. Two horses won't get you out of the jam very often, nor will a horse and a phalanx.

Now, give me a warrior and diplomat, and I can almost guarantee you that I'll have the opportunity to bribe one of those suckers along the way. You can always see them coming from a distance; just get that diplo out there and wait for the opportunity - bribe one, kill the other. Usually, the leader will misstep somewhere along the way and find himself NAKED IN THE WOODS; try waiting for that opportunity, bribe one of his buddies (or both if you are rich) and grab that 150 bucks (Don't ask where he's hiding it). As long as you get that 150 bucks you don't care what the other archer does.

Spider... i so agree. If those achers come anywhere other than your Capital, then you are surely screwed. Archers as it is well documented here at Apolyton, seem to be crappy on defense and POWERFULL in the early offense. Besides, you can't attack with Phalanxs. Although taking writing or horseback riding, disallows the wonder capability, i think everyone forgets that writing allows easier incremental buying which is what early expansion is all about.

Darn, i just had a news flash Warrior Code, a scourge at best, unless you have already discovered monarchy allows this as well , so at least there is some comfort for finding this scroll of wisdom in that first hut.