Industrious-Commercial takes a commanding lead.
Know what? I'd like to find an industrious-commercial civ quickly.
For the long haul, that might be good; but get in their face early and I think they'd be toast.
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Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.
First game I played India because I like the elephants. That's when I realized that Civ traits matter. I'd rather have India as a neighbor (I got Germany).
Then I chose Germany. My oscillating war method killed the German war machine. My cities were in an almost constant state of civil disorder.
Then I chose Aztecs because I heard about their mass producing Jaguar Warriors and after Germany I wanted Religious so I could oscillate my governments. The Jaguar sucked on the large map and few civs I played with. Maybe I'll call on them again when I try smaller maps and more civs.
I am currently on Egypt. They are doing wonders for me. My industrious civ is outpacing Russia and England. I can build roads faster to transport my settlers faster. I will be playing a defensive civ. Haven't started a war yet and just announced my kingship. I have the English pinned to a small section with a landbridge and share the continent with the Russians (I'm not doing very good at sharing though). One more civ is out there by his lonesome. I am playing Warlord.
All civ traits aside, the Egyptians are the best civilization for one simple reason -- they start next to Rome every time! Why does that matter? Because as soon as you start your ancient-era conquesting, you get to see Furious Caesar!
And we all know that Furious Caesar is the most entertaining thing in the game. GRRRR!
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To secure peace is to prepare for war.