The Mayans= Major Pain in the ***

Artifex · January 10, 2004, 16:38

This new C3C civ is usually very tough and played well by the AI. They build loads of wonders first, are usually very big, powerful and very aggressive. One of the tougher AI civs in the game. They actually made peace with an ally of mine in a war with them and then got that ally to turn around and declare war on me!

A very shrewd, ruthless civ those mayans..

Anyone else notice this?

P.S Its my luck I play random civs and I swear they are in almost every game of mine.

Sarxis · January 10, 2004, 16:48

Its a tie between the Dutch and the Mayans. But yes- they both are evil. EVIL I TELL YOU!!

furrykef · January 10, 2004, 19:44

Quote:

Originally posted by Artifex
Its my luck I play random civs and I swear they are in almost every game of mine.

Random civs are heavily weighted toward American civs (America, Iroquois, Aztec, Maya, Inca). For some reason this seems to be only for AI civs; I pick a random civ and rarely end up with an American one. Also I always play with "culturally linked starting locations"; this may have to do with it.

I really hope the next patch fixes this because I'm tired of American civs for neighbors! Ugh. I can play an 8-civ game and there's a good chance ALL of the American civs will be in it...I like it when I don't know who my neighbors are.

- Kef

justjake73 · January 10, 2004, 20:02

YOU have the POWER!

The power to CHOOSE your opponents!!

furrykef · January 10, 2004, 21:27

Quote:

Originally posted by justjake73
YOU have the POWER!
The power to CHOOSE your opponents!!

You obviously weren't listening when I said "I like it when I don't know who my neighbors are". :P

- Kef

joncha · January 10, 2004, 22:15

Quote:

Originally posted by furrykef

You obviously weren't listening when I said "I like it when I don't know who my neighbors are". :P

- Kef

Then you really should turn off the culturally linked starting locations. That way, at least, if you get an American civ, at least its just one American civ.

jon.

jackl · January 11, 2004, 01:19

Yes...they Mayans are true EVIL.
Theyre a nightmare. They grow HUGE empires, take over entire continents and seem to HATE every one. And to make maters worse I just got flat out nuked back to the stone age by the buggers.
I decided that the french (my neighbours) were gettin a bit too big for their boots with their two Aluminiums and two uraniums, so i lauched a big invasion and grabbed seven of their ten cities on the first go...so they go and drag the mayans in to it by signing alliance against me and then lob a tactical nuke at PARIS. (yeah they nuked their OWN capital one turn after i took it).

So i ve got 32 icbm and i check my Military advisor and the french have just one tactical left and the mayans have just two ICBMs showing.
I figure i can absorbe three hits and nuke the rest of france and the MAYAN CAPITAL (to cancel all their trade agreements). SO as expected three nukes landed on my empire...then another...an another....and another...i counted 26.

They must have rushed bought them or something coz my spy showed only two ICBMs.

Yeah the MAYANS are EVIL. (and the dutch....i agree with that too.)

furrykef · January 11, 2004, 09:16

Quote:

Originally posted by joncha
Then you really should turn off the culturally linked starting locations. That way, at least, if you get an American civ, at least its just one American civ.

Well, perhaps, but I happen to like culturally linked starting locations, because when it does work, you get a friendlier civ or two next to you (remember: same culture group = more friendly). Which of course means you may get a free punching bag.

Under normal circumstances, even with culturally linked starting locations, your rivals' identities and locations shouldn't be too predictable, but now they are. Hm. I just can't win.

- Kef

joncha · January 11, 2004, 17:40

Actually, I always use culturally-linked locations too. Somehow it makes the game seem more "real."

I just figured if you were that ticked-off playing against the same civs all the time, maybe you should try a couple games the other way...

jon.

Ision · January 12, 2004, 02:49

The reason you may be seeing strong Mayan AIs is that they and the Incas are the ONLY CIVs with the build often flagged for 'workers'. The AI is notorious for NOT building enough workers. The Incas will not benefit as much as the Mayans for 2 reasons 1. The Mayans are Industrious, and 2. The Inca UU is crap - while the Mayan one will give this AI an early GA and even more workers from barb camps.

Because of this - I have suggested to the AU Mod developers that they flag 'workers' as a build often for every CIV.

Ision

MrWhereItsAt · January 12, 2004, 09:24

Quote:

Originally posted by Ision
The reason you may be seeing strong Mayan AIs is that they and the Incas are the ONLY CIVs with the build often flagged for 'workers'. The AI is notorious for NOT building enough workers. The Incas will not benefit as much as the Mayans for 2 reasons 1. The Mayans are Industrious, and 2. The Inca UU is crap - while the Mayan one will give this AI an early GA and even more workers from barb camps.

Because of this - I have suggested to the AU Mod developers that they flag 'workers' as a build often for every CIV.

Ision

Fascinating - did not know this. Perhaps I should try a game with ALL AI civs (or maybe just all the ones with RL advanced societies) having this ability. that might be brutal. I ahve seen the Mayans in action several times

/me shudders

steven8r · January 12, 2004, 15:10

If you can't beat 'em, join... er.. 'play as' them! Make them play 'for' you.

I haven't played against the Maya (yet), but have played as them. They are pretty powerful! I'd hate to find most of my Swords/Archers (whatever) turned into Mayan Slaves. I'd have to go get them back somehow. It would probably be a 'revenge thing' that would totally consume me and prevent rational thinking and therefore cause me to lose the game.

Steven

techbota · January 12, 2004, 16:10

I stand with steven8r.

When ever I play against a civ that seems to do well. Then I just start playing as them!

I play the persians alot and seem to do very well with them! Scientific and industrious is a awesome combo!

gunkulator · January 12, 2004, 17:17

I started a game as the Mayans. They are not as powerful as one would think. Ind and Agr are great for REXing but the Javelin Thrower is just a 2/2/1 unit that costs 30 shields. That's 50% more than the Archer that it replaces. If you are REXing, you can't afford 30 shields for so weak of an attacker.

Compare the JT to the 20 shield 2/2/1 Babylonian Bowman. All you get for 10 more shields is a 1/3 chance of enslavement, if you win. Yes, you can beat up the barbs and grab a few free workers but against other civs, you're 30 shields are better spent on more powerful swordsmen or faster and retreatable horsemen. The window for Archer rushes is short and the extra cost makes it infeasable for the Mayans.

Sarxis · January 12, 2004, 17:32

Its really not about their power, but it has more to do with them being early game neighbors- they are always out to get me.

vmxa1 · January 12, 2004, 20:30

Just don't build that many Javs. Use one or two to kill barbs and use them as defenders. I would hold them away from combat (other than barbs) to avoid a GA. Later, I can put them on a group to get the bombardment and let them attack someone knocked down to 1 HP.

Theseus · January 12, 2004, 21:24

Great observation, Ision!!