Destroy Enemy Cities and Transfer Populations
I'm playing on Regent as the Persians in about 1800. The Zulus attacked me, which was fine with me in that I had tanks and mech infantry, and they had cavalry and riflemen. But as I mowed through Zulu territory conquering cities I found I couldn't hold them for that long. No matter how many troops I stationed in a city, within a turn or two the govenor would get deposed (and I'd lose ALL the troops I'd stationed)-- this despite me having a BIG lead in the culture race.
So I hit upon a new strategy. With my armies I'd send a flock of settlers (which can be produced cheaply). Instead of conquering, I'd destroy a city, then immediately rebuild it with my settlers. I took a few settlers together, and immediately would get a city of 6-8 people-- all highly productive and no resistance. I'd also get 15-20 new Zulu workers, most of whom I sent around building mines and clearing pollution (effectively-- though it's not nice to say, I invaded and carted back slaves). Some I dispersed through my empire-- 20 Zulus in one city causes the city to revolt but 2 Zulus in 10 cities has basically no effect. Sort of like what the ancient Assyrians did.
The only negative to this strategy is that you lose a few improvements by destroying the city. But most of the cities I conquer I find only 2 or three buildings anyway-- a very small price to pay for no chance of revolt (and losing my troops), and no unproductive resistors.
|