Typically I would research to Monarchy to Literacy then to Invention to get the Great Library, King Richard's and Leo's Workshop. Well, I've abandonned this route in favour for a new route because I seem to always be a little behind that way. Now I go to Monarchy to Astronomy to Republic to Theory of Gravity to get the science wonders and the happiness wonders and work on Great Library and Leo's afterwards (and forget about King Richard's most games, nice to have but I'm not going to sell my blood to get it !)

From there I'm still working on it but typically I try to get Adam Smith and The Statue of Liberty and switch from a Republic to a Democracy (I hate diplos/spies bribing my cities but I love to do it )

As well I don't let my cities grow past 8. What I do is this:
build a city, a settler to found a new city, a phalanx (or pikeman) and then my best attack unit and a settler to build roads then I concentrate on temple, marketplace, library and citywalls in that order to get the "we love the..." growth. When I get Adam Smith I go for Aqueducts and banks for more "we love the..." days and if possible build Michealangelo's Chapel and then let my cities stay at 12... I fortify my defense and sleep my offense so if an enemy comes by the unit is ready to attack the next turn, saves a couple mouse clicks....

Well, that is the basic outline, any comments, questions or queries are welcome...

It's hard to get the early ones, but you might want to add Colossus to your early science wonder list.

Since you only hit the highlights, you might already be doing this, but don't forget Philosophy (even before Copernicus(Astronomy)). It gives you a free tech.

To Edward : and that's exactly the reason why i
wait to build the Great Library until i have the
important techs , for example monotheism if i am
on a big continent (I really like michelangelos
chapel) . Then you should consider building the
Great Library , because sooner or later you will
have to waste time research ugly techs anyway .

Martin: I try and get colossus in the city that I'm going to build to science wonders, usually my best production city. I do forget to send out the caravans though.

The point about getting techs increasing the number of beakers required applies to techs gained from huts and trades as well as from the GL. Some people avoid tipping huts before establishing a monarchy for that reason.

When first playing the game it is tempting to think you will lose out by not having the GL wonder. I have built it many times in the past, before realising the havoc it plays with your scientific goals.

A much better wonder that comes up around the same time is MPE. This provides intelligence on all the other civs, and some basic diplomacy will allow exchanges of maps. Information is power! If you don't believe me - ask the CIA!

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SG (2)

quote: Originally posted by Tizzy on 12-18-2000 11:53 AM Try not to forget the caravans - that's the best advice I can give you. I didn't pay much attention to them till I started playing OCC, then I realised they really are invaluable. They'll boost your treasury when you deliver them, give you a science boost towards your next advance, give you a permanent trade boost, and they're great for hurrying along wonders! [This message has been edited by Tizzy (edited December 18, 2000).] [This message has been edited by Tizzy (edited December 18, 2000).]

You're right about the caravans. I tend to dislike trading with other civs (even though I get more trade arrows.) I'm trying to re-work my tech path to get trade faster for when I get to the "What the hell do I build now?" question. I've been building diplomats but caravans would be better especially since I'm going for the wonders really quick.

quote: The Great Library is really a waste of shields

This really depends on the player. Some will utilize it as it is designed and some will not. If you are a scientific genius and you're going to be leading the world in science, it obviously is a waste of shields. But if your strategy isn't one based on science and discoveries come few and far betwen, the Library is a good friend. It will allow you to fill your primary goals (whatever that might be), and still keep up with the world in the science department, at least in adequate fashion.

For example, a war mongor who's resources are primarily allotted to the military, the Library is a good thing to have.

All depends on style doesn't it?

quote: Originally posted by drake on 12-20-2000 11:29 AM All depends on style doesn't it?

Well Drake, you should have had an interesting choice in our succession game then. When I took the game on, I changed the Library to Marco. Did you change it back?

Fergus

Right up - where we can all see them...........

All those with your hands up .... do you think the AI is stupid?

Don't be shy ... is the AI stupid!?

Well why do you let it choose your techs?

The prosecution rests!

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As for the Great Library I'm not sure. I don't really miss it in the games that I have been playing under Republic but if I stay in Monarchy I find that it is a help.... Haven't had the chance to try it in MP though...

quote: Originally posted by Martin Schmidt on 12-18-2000 10:39 AM I do it this way when i have a good capital but not much space to grow (small or medium islands , with about six cities). Then to make the Capital a real research place is a good idea . I try to build kolossus , hanging gardens , kopernikus watch , newtons college , a library and a University in my Capital , than the three caravans if good foreign towns to goto are known . This worked well , but i think in mp games it will not be possible to get both hanging gardens and kolossus .

In my last game I used this strategy, but not in my capital: I selected the city that generated the most trade (five river squares, and a silk). While all my other cities averaged around 10 beakers, this city, after I completed Newton's, started cranking out 400 beakers a turn; and I didn't even had collossus. GL would have been a perfect waste of time there, I was so far ahead; I was only playing at king level though.

Science cities rule!

The disadvantage to this strategy is that while your science is low you will likely miss out on some popular wonders. But if you are a good, flexible player, you should be able to make due with the wonders left over.