Release v2.2
Last Updated: May 31, 1996 15:44 GMT
Written by: Edward Kenworthy (ekenworthy@cix.compulink.co.uk)
===========================
***A PLEA FROM THE HEART***
===========================
I had a hard disk crash which meant I lost version 2.1 and all the
contributions made by people after that. If you contributed and your
contribution is not here can you get back to me. I'm particularly
keen to get the naval strategy someone contributed - but I can't even
get back to them to ask because my email address book went with
the hard disk.
This is version 2.2
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of this FAQ is to aid the public regarding strategies
and tactics to use in the game Civilization II, by Micrprose. In no
way should this promote your killing yourself, killing others, or
killing in any other fashion.
Edward Kenworthy claims NO responsibility regarding any illegal
activity concerning this FAQ, or indirectly related to this FAQ.
TRADEMARK INFORMATION
Civilization 2 is a trademark, and is so acknowledged. Any
trademarks not mentioned here are still acknowledged.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
This article is Copyright 1996 by Edward Kenworthy. All rights
reserved. You are granted the following rights:
I. To make copies of this work in original form, so long as
(a) the copies are exact and complete;
(b) the copies include the copyright notice and these paragraphs
in their entirety;
(c) the copies give obvious credit to the author, Edward Kenworthy;
(d) the copies are in electronic form.
II. To distribute this work, or copies made under the provisions
above, so long as
(a) this is the original work and not a derivative form;
(b) you do not charge a fee for copying or for distribution;
(c) you ensure that the distributed form includes the copyright
notice, this paragraph, the disclaimer of warranty in
their entirety and credit to the author;
(d) the distributed form is not in an electronic magazine or
within computer software (prior explicit permission may be
obtained from Edward Kenworthy);
(e) the distributed form is the NEWEST version of the article to
the best of the knowledge of the distributor;
(f) the distributed form is electronic.
You may not distribute this work by any non-electronic media,
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This copyright notice shall be governed by international copyright
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If you would like additional rights beyond those granted above,
write to the author at "ekenworthy@cix.compulink.co.uk" on the
Internet.
CONTENTS:
[1] Introduction
[1-1] Foreword
[1-2] About the unofficial Civilization II Strategy FAQ
[1-3] Getting the unofficial Civilization II Strategy FAQ
[1-4] Adding to the FAQ
[1-5] Acknowledgments
[1-6] Accurate Information
[1-7] The format of this FAQ
-Section One- GAME ELEMENTS
[2] The Tools Of The Trade
*2-1* Infantry
[2-2] Mounted
[2-3] Vehicles
[2-4] Big Guns
[2-5] Naval Units
*2-6* Aircraft
[2-7] Trade Units
*2-8* Buildings
[2-9] Terrain Improvements
*2-10* Governments
[2-11] Wonders of The World
[3] Important information not in the manual
[3-1] [blank]
-Section Two- STRATEGIES
*5* The Early Game
[6] The Mid Game
*7* The Late Game
*8* Player tips
[9] War Stories
-Section Four- MISCELLANEOUS
*10* Internet resources
[10-1] Third party programs
[10-2] World Wide Web sites
*10-4* Other FAQs and texts
*11* Bugs, updates, future games
[11-1] The wishlist
[11-2] Questions regarding Civ2 present and future
*11-3* Update patches
[11-4] Errors in the Civ2 manual
[12] Conclusion
*13* Revision History
I was rather disappointed at the lack of any sort of strategy guide or
faq for Civ2 - so rather whine about it I decided to write my own.
And here it is. What are my credentials ? Well I've been playing
Civ since 4000BC (or does it just seem that way) and Civ2 ever
since it was published (about five minutes ago). I've never scored
over 200% (basically because I declined to use the various "cheats"
in Civ (goody two shoes!) but did regularly score over 100% on
Emperor. I seem to be managing similar scores in Civ 2.
If you have any new tips, comments or questions please email them
to ekenworthy@cix.compulink.co.uk. Good ones will be included
in the next version of this document - with a credit of course.
[1-2]: About the unofficial Civilization 2 Strategy FAQ
===============================================
Welcome to v2.2 of the Unofficial Civilization 2 Strategy FAQ.
Version 2.2 is an update from v2.0 but excludes material in v2.1
because I had a hard disk crash. See top of this faq for a plea for
help.
'Unofficial' means that this FAQ is not supported by Microprose.
Civilization II is the name of the game. FAQs are
(F)requently
(A)sked
(Q)uestions.
Revision classification works something like the following. If a new
version of the FAQ has only a small amount of information
changed or added, the version number is increased by 0.1, and is
called a 'minor revision.' If a new version of the FAQ has a
substantial amount of new information changed or added, the
version number is increased by 0.5, and is called a 'standard
revision.' If a new version of the FAQ has a huge amount of added
or changed information, major parts of the FAQ are rearranged, or
major parts of the FAQ are rewritten, the version number is
increased by 1.0, and it is called a 'major revision.'
You may be wondering why chapter numbers are enclosed in either
[]'s or **'s The definition of these is as follows:
[]: Chapters enclosed in square brackets mean that the information
contained in the chapter has not been updated since the
previous FAQ.
**: Chapters enclosed in asterisks mean that the information
contained in the chapter is new or has been updated for the
current version of the FAQ you are reading.
[1-2-1]: Is the FAQ related to the Official Guide to Civilisation II?
===============================================
No, the Unofficial Civilization II Strategy FAQ is not related in any
way with the Official Guide to Civilization 2 other than in topic.
Nor is the Unofficial Civ2 Strategy FAQ meant to be competition to
the Official Guide.
[1-3]: Getting the unofficial Civ2 Strategy FAQ
===============================================
[1-3-2]: via Usenet
----------------------
The unofficial Civ2 Strategy FAQ is posted on the first of every
month (or earlier if a new version is released) on the following
Usenet groups.
(1) comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic
The 'Subject:' line of the post will be 'Unofficial Civ2 Strategy
FAQ v??.??' where '??.??' is the version number of the FAQ.
[1-3-3]: via Internet FTP
----------------------------
New releases of the Unofficial Civ II Strategy FAQ can be found at
the following Internet FTP sites:
[well actually nowhere yet. But if someone would care to carry it
and let me know I'll note it here.]
The file name of the upload will be 'civ2s??.faq' where '??' is the
version number of the FAQ. This filename is for FTP sites only.
BBS filenames are outlined in [1-3-5]
[1-3-4]: via WWW
-------------------
New releases of the Unofficial Civ2 Strategy FAQ will be found on
the following World-wide Web sites:
HTML versions of the Unofficial Civ2 Strategy FAQ can be found
on the following World-wide Web sites:
[None yet, but I'm working on it]
[1-3-5]: via BBS
-------------------
New releases of the Unofficial Civ2 Strategy FAQ will be uploaded
to other BBSes as the opportunity arises. They will be under the file
name 'civ2sfaq??' where '??' is the version number of the FAQ.
ATTENTION: ALL BBSes, CompuServe, Ammerica On-line, and
all other information services. PLEASE conform to the naming
standard of the Unofficial Civ2 Strategy FAQ when placing this file
on your system. The file name should be 'civ2s??.zip' where the '??'
is the version number of the FAQ or 'civ2sfaq??.txt' if the FAQ is a
text file instead of PKZIPped.
[1-4]: Adding to the FAQ
===========================
Where you see the words [blank] or [incomplete] in this FAQ is a
section that needs filling in. I depend heavily on contributions from
people like yourself to make this FAQ whole. Please, don't make
me beg. Help me fill in the blanks.
If you have something to add to the FAQ, please send E-mail to
'ekenworthy@cix.compulink.co.uk' (no quotes), with the subject
'Civ2 Strategy Guide' explaining what your addition is. It will be
reviewed, and if accepted, added to the next FAQ version. In the
E-mail, please supply your name and E-mail address.
Please note that all submissions to the FAQ become property of the
author (Edward Kenworthy) and that they may or may not be
acknowledged. By submitting to the FAQ, you grant permission for
use of your submission in any future publications of the FAQ in any
media. The author reserves the right to omit information from a
submission or delete the submission entirely.
[1-5]: Acknowledgments
==========================
Microprose Studios for making this great game.
My wife. (Hi Angela!)
And big thanks to everyone else who sent something my way, or
posted answers to questions in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic.
You are all listed next to your contributions in this FAQ!
Forgive me if I miss anyone. If for some reason I HAVE missed
you, PLEASE send me E-mail so I can give credit where credit is
due.
Jim Venn <100071.2311@CompuServe.COM> who has made
contributions all over the place - rather than scatter his name all
over the place I've listed it here as an acknowledgement.
[1-6]: Accurate Information
==============================
An attempt has been made to make the information in this FAQ as
accurate as possible.
Harder still is verifying the correctness of every hint and tip. I
do try hard to make sure there are no bogus entries in this FAQ,
but, undoubtedly, one or two will probably slip by. Please let me
know immediately if there is any information in this FAQ that you
know is incorrect.
Also, because the game was recently released, future updates and
add-ons may render parts of this FAQ obsolete.
[1-7]: The format of this FAQ
================================
I have been copying the format and style of the granddaddy of all
FAQ keepers, Hank Leukart (ap641@cleveland.freenet.edu) of the
'Official' DOOM FAQ.
==============================
-SECTION ONE- GENERAL OVERVIEW
==============================
-------------------------------------------
CHAPTER[2]: The Tools Of The Trade
-------------------------------------------
This chapter contains information on the various units, buildings,
wonders etc available for use in Civ2.
*2-1*: Foot Troops
==================
[2-1-1]: Settlers
--------------------
Settlers are replaced by Engineers with the discovery of
Explosives.
[incomplete]
[2-1-2]: Engineers
----------------------
Engineers work at twice the speed of settlers - so for
example a road across a plain is completed in 1 turn
rather than two. They also move at a speed of 2 and can
actually radically change terrain - for example
mountains to hills and desert to plains !
[incomplete]
*2-1-3*: Warrior
---------------------
These are the worst combat unit in the game. Only build
them if you're desperate and have no better technology.
*2-1-4*: Phalanx
---------------------
Best value for money in terms of defence in the early part
of the game. Great when used in conjuction with
Elephants and eventually Crusaders.
Phalanxes are upgraded to Pikemen.
2-1-5]: Legion
---------------------
Legions are upgraded to Musketeers.
[incomplete]
*2-1-6*: Explorer
---------------------
An extremely underrated unit. The explorer has a
movement of 3 regardless of terrain and it ignores enemy
zones of control. Very useful for maneuvering combat
troops through enemy zones of control.
If adjacent to an enemy unit just move the explorer
forward and wait them, move a combat unit on top of the
explorer, then pull the explorer back out of the front line
reducing the risk of them being attacked. Repeat until
troops have flowed past the enemy fortifications.
A good substitue until you've researched guerrilla warfare
in which case partisans can be used
Explorers are never upgraded by Leonardo's Workshop.
They also never become obsolete !
[2-1-7]: Pikemen
---------------------
Pikemen have their defensive strength doubled if they're
attacked by mounted troops. Legions still walk all over
them however. (Perhaps this should have been modified so
that they receive the same bonus against non-gun powder
infantry. Remember the Swiss ?)
Phalanxes are upgraded to this unit. Pikemen are upgraded
to Musketeers.
*2-1-8*: Musketeer
---------------------
A good defensive and reasonable offensive unit. It's hit
points are double that of the non-gunpowder troops so
don't be affraid of taking on fortified pikemen.
[2-1-9]: Rifleman
---------------------
On a cost/strength ratio these are probably the best
defensive unit.
These are the final troop type that infantry are
automatically upgraded to by Leonardo's Workshop.
[2-1-10]: Alpine Ski Troops
---------------------
The major ability of Alpine Ski Troops is that they can
travel three squares regardless of the terrain type.
They do still take advantage of Railroads, but Roads
have no effect.
These troops are never upgraded by Leonardo's Workshop-
nor is any other infantry type upgraded to it.
[2-1-11]: Marines
---------------------
The major ability of Marines is that they can directly
attack a city from a transport ship (what Civ2 calls an
Amphibious assault).
These troops are never upgraded by Leonardo's Workshop
-nor is any other infantry type upgraded to it.
*2-1-12*: Paratroopers
---------------------
The computer makes extensive use of these. If you leave a
city undefended (or all the defenders are killed) you can be
sure there'll be one of these around ready to drop in for a
cup of tea and a bite to eat.
Great when used in conjuction with bomber strikes across
bodies of water that leave an enemy city defenceless. The
computer AI seems to be particularly keen on this tactic.
These troops are never upgraded by Leonardo's Workshop-
nor is any other infantry type upgraded to it.
[2-2]: Mounted
===================
[2-2-1]: Horsemen
---------------------
[blank]
[2-2-2]: Chariots
---------------------
Chariots were significantly down graded from Civ. If
you want to go an early crusade - choose Elephants.
[2-2-3]: Elephants
---------------------
[2-2-4]: Knights
---------------------
[blank]
[2-2-5]: Crusaders
---------------------
[blank]
2-2-6]: Dragoons
---------------------
[blank]
[2-2-7]: Cavalry
---------------------
The best of the mounted troops.
[incomplete]
[2-3]: Vehicles
===================
[blank]
[2-4]: Big Guns
===================
[blank]
[2-5]: Naval Units
===================
[blank]
*2-6*: Aircraft
===================
2-6-1]: Fighter
---------------------
Fighters are only really useful for a couple of jobs: taking
out bombers that are hanging around and for attacking that
spy or diplomat that's just out of reach.
Forget trying to escort bomber groups - it just don't work.
*2-6-2*: Bomber
---------------------
Can be used for interdiction as it exerts a zone of control
and grounds units are not able to attack it. Particularly
effective if your oppent hasn't discovered flight yet.
Useful for taking out marauding stacks of enemy units.
[2-6-3]: Stealth Fighter
---------------------
Calling this unit a Stealth fighter is a bit of a misnomer. A
better name would have been Jet Fighter.
There is a rules.txt and unit.gif file that adds Jet Fighters
Bombers between Fighter/Bomber and their Stealth
versions.
[2-6-4]: Stealth Bomber
---------------------
Useful for taking out marauding stacks of enemy units.
See comments about Stealth Fighter.
[incomplete]
[2-6-5]: Cruise Missile
---------------------
An expensive unit to use - it dies regardless of whether it
wins. As with all air units it causes unrest in a Republican
or Democratic city. (Remember Greenham common ?)
Useful for a quick surgical strike against a stack of naval
units. But not if there's an AEGIS Cruiser present (and
you're playing a version after 1.07).
[incomplete]
[2-6-6]: Nuclear Missile
---------------------
Expensive and as with all aircraft causes unrest. Besides
who wants a nuclear arsenal planted in their driveway?
Here's a tip:
"I have noticed that if you build an airbase 2 hexes from
your city and station nukes there, the Ai does not seem to
be able to detect them. Wala! Missile silos."
[jeferi@inlink.com (JefEri)]
[incomplete]
[2-7]: Trade Units
===================
[2-7-1]: General Comments
---------------------
blank]
[2-7-2]: Caravan
---------------------
[blank]
[2-7-3]: Freight
---------------------
[blank]
[2-8]: Buildings
===================
[2-8-1]: Palace
---------------------
Important for corruption calculation. The further a city
from the one with your Palace in - the greater the
corruption (except at Democracy of course).
Without a capital EVERY city is treated as being the
maximum range away !!
[2-8-1]: Temple
---------------------
Reduces the number of unhappy citizens by 2. Increased
effect with Mysitcism and double effect if you control the
Oracle.
*2-8-1*: Granary
---------------------
Allows you to create a food stockpile. This is important for
two reasons a) it gives you a buffer zone in case of famine
and b) it halves the amount of stored food you need to build
up to create a new citizen.
The Pyramid gives a granary in each of your cities.
Perhaps something to with the story of Joseph and his Coat
of Many Colours ?
Not a particularly useful improvement. Happiness
improvements are more valuable as the best mechanisim
for growth is gaining We Love ? Day in your cities. But
this of course depends on being democracy or republic.
[2-8-1]: Barracks
---------------------
Barracks have two effects. Firstly all new land unit (except
settlers, engineers, explorers, diplomats and spies) are built
as veteran units.
Second, and the thing that makes Sun Tzu's Academy less
valuable IMHO (because you have to build the barracks
anyway to get this benefit) is that each turn all land units
in a city with a barracks are healed back to full strength.
[2-8-1]: City Wall
---------------------
City Walls have two effects. Firstly the defensive strenght
of any unit attacked in the city is doubled. Bombers,Stealth
Bombers, Howitzers and naval units ignore this effect.
City Walls also prevent the loss of population should one
of your units inside the city be destroyed.
[2-9]: Terrain Improvements
===================
[2-9-1]: Irrigation
---------------------
[blank]
[2-9-2]: Roads
---------------------
[blank]
[2-9-3]: Mines
---------------------
[blank]
[2-9-4]: Railroads
---------------------
2-9-5]: Farmland
---------------------
*2-10*: Governments
===================
[2-10-1]: Republic
---------------------
This is the most versatile and usually the one I stick with.
Can punish weak civilizations while still keeping up in
science. [ctown@en.com (William R. Brickles III)]
*2-10-2*: Democracy
---------------------
This is purely a mind-your-own-business government. The
best economically, but I'd rather go to war in Anarchy.
[ctown@en.com (William R. Brickles III)]
The best government in terms of trade and research. With
the assistance of happiness wonders and improvements it is
possible to sustain periods of warfare without having to
switch to Fundamentalism.
Additionally your cities can't be bribed when your under a
democracy.
[2-10-3]: Fundamentalism
---------------------
Sure science is low but you can put Luxury at 0% and
Science at max (I think 70%) and still grow a huge bank
account. War is the focus here. I still remember the time I
sent 20 tanks to crush the Chinese and backed them up
with 20 more in very few turns... Or how about that Celtic
town I attacked with 4 nuclear warheads just for kicks?
[ctown@en.com (William R. Brickles III)]
*2-10-4*: Communism
---------------------
Not good for much actually, but better than primitive
governments. [ctown@en.com (William R. Brickles III)]
Easily the worst of the modern governments and not
recommended. Fundamentalism is a better platform for all
out war.
*2-10-5*: Monarchy
---------------------
I usually skip right to Republic. [ctown@en.com (William
R. Brickles III)]
Important to switch to Monachy as soon as possible and all
initial researchshould be channelled towards attaining this.
[2-10-6]: Despotism
---------------------
Better than Anarchy ! [ctown@en.com (William R.
Brickles III)] but don't wait for some kid to draw the sword
out of the stone. Crown yourself and go Monachy as soon
as possible.
[2-10-1]: Anarchy
---------------------
It's better to hear your advisors argue than listen to the
terrible Elvis impersonator. [ctown@en.com (William
R. Brickles III)]
[2-11]: Wonders of The World
===========================
**[2-11-1]**: Must Haves
---------------------
Great Library, Leonardo's Workshop, Michaelangelo's
Chapel, Women's Suffrage, Hoover Dam, Great Wall.
[2-11-2]: Nice To Haves
---------------------
King Richard's Crusade, Oracle, Copernicus's Observatory,
Magellan's Voyage, SETI project, Eiffel Tower, Statue of
Liberty, Cure for Cancer, United Nations.
[2-11-3]: Not Really Bothered
---------------------
Pyramids,Hanging Gardens, Lighthouse, Shakespeare's
Theatre, Marco Polo's Expedition, Apollo Project,
Manhattan Project, Sun Tzu's Academy.
[2-11-4]: Exceptions
---------------------
This may alter slightly depending on the environment.
For example if you have lots of small continents in your
world the Magellan's Voyage and Lighthouse become more
important.
[2-11-5]: Wonder Denial
---------------------
Of course by having a Wonder yourself you deny anyone
else from having its benefits. This is particularly important
for certain Wonders, like United Nations. It's incredibly
frustrating to have to stop fighting because the other side
has this Wonder ! (Or to struggle to research a technology
only to have your enemy acquire it from his Great
Library!)
[2-11-6]: Obsolete Wonders
---------------------
Be careful about the technology you choose in order to
avoid accidentally making one of your critical Wonders
obsolete too early. Metallurgy for Great Wall and Mobile
Warfare for Leonardo's Workshop are the critical ones.
[2-11-7]: Specific Wonders
---------------------
[2-11-7-1]: The Great Wall
---------------------
If you have the Great Wall - remember to prepare
for it's obsolescence. There's nothing quite so
unpleasant as being attacked by another civilisation
only to have all your cities lose their walls because
some SOB discovers metallurgy !
*2-11-7-2*: Leonardo's Workshop
---------------------
A note on Leonardo's workshop. It does not
immediately upgrade all your troops - that only
happens when you gain a technology. So when you
build Leonardo's workshop all your units get
upgraded. And when you gain a new technology
Civ2 checks to see if your units should be upgraded.
But if you gain control of other units (except by
building them) - for example through bribery - these
are not upgraded until the next time you gain a
technology advance. Another effect of being
upgraded by Leonardo's Workshop is that any
veteran units lose their veteran status - even if
they're in the city with a barracks.
-------------------------------------------
CHAPTER[5]: The Early Game
-------------------------------------------
[5-1]: Expand Rapidly
===========================
Build lots of cities quickly. Forget about building an army or
garrisons and build settlers. On Emperor level this is easy because
you don't get any discontent until your third citizen and by building
lots of settlers you ensure you don't have cities that big. On Deity
level it's harder because the second citizen is discontented. The
plan here is to still build lots of settlers quickly - but take the
occasional break to build a garrison or temple to keep the citizens
quiet.
The sole exception to this is if you find yourself on the same
continent as another player. In which case the priority is to kill
them as quickly possible. Do *not* build up first - they will be too
!!
[5-2]: Build Roads
===========================
Always build at least one road or irrigation with each settler before
building a city. Roads are important early for the trade boost you
get. Otherwise you'll run out of money !
Once you have 5-6 cities established begin to build roads
connecting them - both too increase the speed of response of your
armies and to improve trade.
[5-3]: Establish Your Borders
===========================
Seal off your continent as quickly as possible ! Along with
destroying any other civilisations you find on your continent you
should fortify units on its land borders as soon as possible to
prevent others moving in and thereby giving yourself exclusive
access to the continent.
If you're playing in the real world then Africa is one of the
easiest continents to achieve this in - simply fortify a unit (and
build fortification when possible) at the Suez canal to prevent
access to the whole of Africa. (The Americas comes a close second
- because you have an ocean to separate you. The disadvantge is a
lack of opportunities to trade technology with other civilisations.)
[5-4]: Change To Monarchy
===========================
The most important early advance to get is Monarchy. Despotism is
just too inefficient for you to get far with it. Although it is OK for
the early turns because of the reduced maintenance you pay for
units.
"Get into Monarchy ASAP. Then once you have monarchy start
irrigating the hell out of your land. At this point, pump up the
population with a We love the ___ celebration. Boost the luxary
rate to get all of your cities into We_Love, and let this go for a few
years till they hit the aquaduct wall at size 8. Then reset the
tax/science rate, build aquaducts and temples, etc, and then have
another celebration and boost your cities to size 12. Once you
research sewers, you can have another sale.
"Of course, to have such large cities, its necessary to have Mike's
chappel (sp?) and other people pacifying Wows."
[jthibeau@wellfleet.com (John Thibeault)]
[5-5]: Republic Costs
===========================
Be careful about switching to Republic too soon. If you have lots of
settlers around (as I suggest) then you'll quickly starve them
because of doubling of food support. It's important to build
Michelangelo's Chapel before switching to Republic or the cost due
to unhappiness can be great.
"I am playing on the King Level, and I recently switched from
Monarchy to Republic. I had a bunch of cities, ranging up to size
14 (captured from the Babylonians), and I immediately had
problems with famines. I did not have many cathedrals (the evil
Yanks had built Michelangelo's Chapel), and popularity was a
problem. I then switched to Communism, and I am awash in food.
During my brief stint as a Republican, I lost several engineers to
the famine. As a Commisar, I am building new engineers and am
growing my population. Long live Marx (Groucho, that
is)!"[zcbag@cnfd.pgh.wec.com (B. Alan Guthrie)]
With the exception of one or two critical technologies I always
trade everything I can. This is because unless you have a
commanding lead over all other civilisations the others will trade
amongst themselves and you'll lose out. Don't trade a techology
that allows construction of Wonder you want to build. Unless it's
for a technology that allows construction of a more important
Wonder that you won't acquire for a while.
[5-7]: Wonders of The World
===========================
Wonders To Build. The ones to go for are: Great Library and Great
Wall. Some people also adivse Hanging Gardens and Colossus - but
I wouldn't bother - there' better stuff.
The Great Library is a good wonder to build early. You can usually
pick up quite a few "base level" early to give your civ a
technological edge. Additionally you'll prevent the other civ's from
picking up easy advances off your back through denying them the
Great Library.
The only other ancient wonder of significant value is Colossus to
give your science city an early boost. Pyramids is made obsolete by
the fact that the best strategy for growth is gaining We Love ? Days
in your cities which Pyramids or granaries for that matter play no
part of.
An Alternative Point of View from jthibeau@wellfleet.com (John
Thibeault)
"Initial WoWs to get are the Colossus, as this is a great boost for
trade, cash and research. Then go for the Great Wall, then the
Great Library, as a defensive measure to keep this thing out of the
hands of the Ai civs. My latest game on Emperor level (7 civs) I
have my capital building the Wow's, and 3 cities feeding it with
caravans, and I have managed to just squeak by in building these
Wow's (plus the pyramids) before the Ai civs have. It is important
to get the Trade tech pretty early, so you can use caravans to beat
the Ai at making WoW's. The Ai cheats by 'buying' Wows a little at
a time each turn, and they seem to be able to generate more cash
than the human player can. The Great Library will not help you if
you are in the lead, but I feel that it is vital to keep this thing out of
the hands of the AI civs.
"Another strategy concerning the Great library is to destroy it! Find
the city that the AI has built it in, and keep attacking the city
(without capturing it) till the city is reduced to pop 1, and then
destroyed. No more library! =)
"One great way to wage war while in a republic or democracy is to
have both King Richards crusade and Shakespear in the same city.
This city can then support quite a large army in the field. My last
game (King,7) I had both of these in a sixe 19 city, and had an
army of 36 Dragoons in the field, just waiting for the Ai civs to
break those treaties!! hehe"
"Has anyone researched for the "Great Library" right away, then
put your efforts and taxes into producing big cities, all the while
your getting tech from the library???"
[schollr@esc.ccsd15.k12.il.us (Ryan
Scholl)]
*5-8*: Build a Science City
===========================
A principle founded in Civ1 and still holds true in Civ2. Select a
city site with good potential for trade (usually one with plenty of
rivers and a trade special). Concentrate your growth and trade
efforts around this city by roading and irrigating the area.
Build a temple early and don't produce settlers from this city as you
want the population to grow as rapidly as possible. Look to build
science wonders and improvements in this city to maximise
scientific research. ie. Colossus, Copernicus' Oberservatory, Isaac
Newton's College, Library and University.
Additionally build caravans from other cities and set up trade
routes to the science city. Don't underestimate the value of trade
routes. They can be a great source of income and research
particularly in the mid to late game.
-------------------------------------------
CHAPTER[6]: The Mid Game
-------------------------------------------
[incomplete]
[6-1]: Get Outta Here
===========================
Regularly insist that anyone you have a peace treaty with withdraws
their troops (if they're imposing).
[6-2]: Trust You Again ?!?
===========================
If a civilisation regularly breaks treaties never, never, ever, sign
another one with them. They *will* break it again. (And there's a
bug, at least in 1.06, that means you take the blame if someone
violates a treaty with you !! Nice one MP.)
[6-3]: Wonders of The World
===========================
Wonders to aim for are: Michaelangelo's Chapel and Hoover Dam.
-------------------------------------------
CHAPTER[7]: The Late Game
-------------------------------------------
[7-1]: Wonders of The World
===========================
You really should be a Democracy in the late game - otherwise
you're going to fall badly behind in production and technology.
Fundamentalism appears to be a sound alternative but fanatics are
not good units and technology is the only way to break the
stalemates that can develop in the late game - and Fundamentalist
governments lose 50% of their research (especially if it contradicts
the Bible or Koran etc Darwin's Voyage ? Lose two technology
advances ;)).
Alternate points of view:
"Once you switch into a Fundamentalist gov't, stick with it to the
end. Granted, you loose alot of sci. but you make it back with the
cities you capture. The only reason you should change back to
democracy is if you have no idea where any of the other civs
are."[jake@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu (Jacob Daniel Walter)]
"One common approach, which works too well IMO, is to use
Fundamentalism to destroy all but one competing civilization, and
to reduce that last one to a single city. Then you can gently restore
your cities (using all the cash you get from tithes, disbanding units,
and selling your expensive coastal defenses and city walls to offset
the cost of raising the luxury rate and buying colliseums) to prepare
them to the switch back to democracy." [rdclark@aol.com
(RDClark)]
"I agree that Fundamentalism is too powerful. I've had several
games on Emperor and Deity level that I won simply by building
lots of cities early, getting to Fundamentalism quickly, then out-
producing all the other civs and drowning them in cavalry, cannons
and fanatics, accompanied by huge gangs of settlers to make roads
and, later, railroads so that a cannon can be purchased outright in
one turn, then in the next railroaded right up to an enemy city to
attack."[rdclark@aol.com (RDClark)]
[7-2]: Defending Your Cities
===========================
Defending your cities. It makes sense to have a mix of units in your
front line cities. I.e. two good defensive units plus one or two good
attackers to take out those slow moving heavy hitters as they
trundle up to your city walls. A barracks (for the healing capability)
and of course city walls are a must.
[7-3]: Espionage
===========================
The only way that you're going to realistically win the game by
conquest is by using diplomats and spies to incite revolts in
opponents cities. Obviously this won't work against Democracies -
but that's not a problem because the computer seems to prefer
Fundamentalism anyway.
[7-4]: Spaceward Ho!
===========================
Alternatively, concentrate on defending your territory whilst
knocking you closest competitors and aim to win by building the
spaceship.
[7-5]: Oops - silly me !
===========================
Unless you really, really have to have a city and can't bribe it (costs
too much or it's a Democracy) do *not* send a spy in to plant a
Nuclear device ! It can be quite embarassing for the whole world to
declare war on you. Unless of course your a Fundamentalist regime
and everyone expects the worst from you anyway :) (Didn't stop the
Yanks bombing Libyan civilian centres though did it ? Perhaps
there should be an extra qualifier to this: As long as no oil is
involved no-one will care. ;))
[7-6] "The Vikings Launch..." AAAHHHH !
===========================
If another civilisation builds and launches their spaceship
before your ready - don't despair. Build the maximum structure,
minimum life support etc and maximum engines and fuel. As long
as you pile enough resources in and weren't already too far behind,
your spaceship will fly faster, catch up, overtake and you'll win.
(I've only been beaten to the lauunch twice. Both times by the
Vikings. The first time I won anyway because of a bug in 1.0 which
meant as long as you had launched a spaceship you won regardless
of who actually got to Alpha Centauri first. The second time I won
by using the above tactic.)
[7-7] Wonders of the World
===========================
You really should be aiming to gain the following Wonders: SETI
project and Cure for Cancer.
Don't worry if someone else beats you to Apollo Project or
Manhattan project because you get all the benefits anyway ! The
only problem is if you're not ready to take advantage of these - you
can be sure the other civilisations will be !
[7-8] M.A.D.
===========================
How to wage nuclear war. One short answer: don't. Enemy civs do
sometimes clean up pollution - but don't count on it. If you've
managed to build SDI in all vulnerable cities and need to then go
ahead and try a limited surgical strike.
[7-9] Guerilla's In the Mist
===========================
Dealing With Partisans. Guerilla Warfare really bogs the game
down. If your opponents have this then you can probably forget
about a quick military victory. Conversley if you have it then you're
unlikely to be knocked out before you finish building your
spaceship.
"I think I have found a strategy that helps limit those pesky
Partisans. Partisans only appear on empty land squares within a
cities zone of control. If you fill up all available land squares then
take the city you do not get any partisans. If you can't fill all of the
squares you can at least determine were the partisan will go. That
way you can kill him quicker. I like using bombers or fighters to fill
up the squares. With fighter I send them to the square they will
occupy then press 'W' to have them wait. Take the city then move
the unit. The computer player has placed a lot of rail around his
cities. With Rail you can send a land unit to occupy a square then
Press 'W' then take the city. You can use all of the units you have
Waited with to take the next city."
[nowakowsky@arc.ab.ca (Blair Nowakowsky)]
[7-10] Broken AEGIS
===========================
The earlier versions of Civ2 had a bug in it that meant the AEGIS
cruiser did *not* intercept attacking missiles and aircraft. This was
fixed in 1.07.
*7-11* Global Warning
============================
Global warming can be a killer. If it happens you all lose.
-------------------------------------------
CHAPTER*8*: Player Tips
-------------------------------------------
*8-1* cpl@phy.auckland.ac.nz (Caton Little)
===========================================
*8-1-1* Global Warning
-----------------------
Global warming appears to vanish once 15 or so cities have
solar plants (These are *GREAT*, no recycling req'd),so
nukes are not so annoying.
Bribe settlers whenever possible. The two foods they us
will halt a cities growth altogether until you can
irrigate...but a dozen settlers from NONE will work
wonders!
*8-1-3*
-----------------------
If a big empire is just asking for a pounding, but they're
too far away, use 3 engineers to RR one plains/grassland
per turn right into the heart of the enemy empire. Can you
say 'instant reinforcements'? Send a few units to the target
city (base of operations), just to see where they go, and
build the RR on the path they use, as the GOTO algorithm
isn't always predictable. Always keep at least a couple of
units in fortified positions along the RR to stop the buggers
using the same trick to get you back. Always put 4 or 5
units in the target city, and a couple around it. By this
stage you should be well ahead of the computer, and
having them steal mobile warfare or adv. flight would be
most annoying. I tend to starve/poison enemy cities to
death (capture them at one population), they're usually
badly placed, and not worth the effort to maintain.
*8-2* Jukka Michelsson
===========================================
*8-2-1* The Space Race
-----------------------
When you notice that you are falling - or already have
fallen -behind in military power and decide to win the
game by sending "a man into the moon" you should never
let the strongest power to live in peace, because they will
take the advantage and use all his/her cities to build space
ship parts. Instead, you should use your diplomatic skills to
arrange war between your allies and the strongest power to
keep him busy while you build space ships. You might
want to produce some military units in one or two cities
and give them away to your allies to keep them fighting.
-------------------------------------------
CHAPTER[9]: War Stories
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
CHAPTER*10*: Internet Resources
-------------------------------------------
[10-1] Third party programs
[blank]
[10-2] World Wide Web sites
[blank]
*10-3* Other FAQs and texts
*10-3-1*Wonder of the World
-----------------------------
There's a document about the Wonders available from:
http://www.gamelord.com/civ/wow.htm (note the
missing trailing 'l' in the URL - sic).
*10-3-2* Shareware Civ2 Strategy Guide
-----------------------------
Pascal Ode is co-ordinating a shareware Civ2 strategy
guide, those of you familiar with his Steel Panthers guide
will know what to expect. It'll be all original material -
concentrating on the strategy aspect and will be published
at:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/POde/
The name is : Strategies for a Deity, the un-official strategy
guide for Civilization II.
Pascal uses a shareware concept called "trustware". The
word trustware is self explanatory: you get the *complete*
edition of the guide *before* sending the fee. The fee is
about half the price of a paper traditional strategy guide.
Just visit the above mentioned homepage to get more
details.
As it is implied by the name, this guide is about wining
strategies at deity level. Whether you are a beginner or a
seasoned veteran, you get wining strategies at the higher
level but also some good food for thoughts in order to
enjoy even more what we believe is the best game ever
designed.
Release date is June 15 1996. I'm involved with this -
principally as the maintainer of this freeware faq which
seems to have received wide dispersal.
Any contributions made to this faq may be used in the
shareware product Pascal is working on but will ALWAYS
be available FREE as part of this work as well. SO you
won't pay for your own effort !
-------------------------------------------
CHAPTER[11]: Bugs, updates, future games
-------------------------------------------
[11-1] The wishlist
[blank]
[11-2] Questions regarding Civ2 present and future
[blank]
*11-3* Update patches
The current patch is version 1.11, available from the civ2 home
page.
My best score so far is 83% on Emperor level - without cheating.
I'm currently playing a Divinty level game and doing quite nicely !
Andthis is all on a version of Civ2 that still has the auto-production
bug !
My favourite starting position used to be America - but you're just
too isolated. So now my favourite is Zulus, default starting position
and the real world map. Just the right balance between isolation
and access.
-------------------------------------------
CHAPTER*13*: Revision History
-------------------------------------------
Having had my hard disk smoke on me 13 seems an appropriate
number for this section.
Version 1.0 Initial Strategy Guide
Version 1.1 Added Usenet culled comments
Version 2.0 Changed the format of the guide and extended it
somewhat.
Version 2.1 Published on the usenet but lost.
Version 2.2 Based on v2.0 not 2.1 as that went up in smoke.
If you have v2.1 or have contributions that were lost please re-mail
them to me.
