From my last/current game, I've picked up a number of nice thoughts. Not yet going to address all of them, but here's one.
On my continent, there were 3 civs, after I eliminated Greece early one. Those were the Aztecs (me, world's second power), French (border with me, 3rd power) and Babylon (small area close to France, 4 cities, weakest civ). I had some troops near my border with France always, just in case. However, Joan treated me very well throughout the game, her stance was polite. Their border city of Besancon was a nice size 6 one, with 5 resources of Silks surrounding it. Due to my early war with Greece, I was not lucky enough to grab that spot.
And so, one day my military advisor popped up to tell me that Besancon is joining my civilization. I was very happy, for I now controlled 3 of 5 Silk resources, others were just outside the border. I got the Musketman in the city, as always, and brought up nearby units to the area.
Next turn, Joan declared war on me. And assaulted the city of Besancon with 2 Swordsmen she had close by. I stood the attack, but then the huge war broke out. The continent was a large one, and France controlled some 55% of it, I controlled 40%, and the remaining 5% were Babylon.
I did a nice move by having Hamurabbi sign a military alliance with me vs. Joan. Thusly, France sent some units my way, some units their way. I brought all the huge force I had to the border with France, and I was intensively discovering new technologies during this time. I got Military Tradition just a couple of turns after the war started, and my Cavalry went to back up the Knights. By the way, at one point I was able to upgrade my entire attack force.
So, we fought over their land, I got 2 Leaders during this, and France only came asking for peace when it was down to 5 cities. Since I was offered some good money, I did a counter-proposal, asked to surrender one of their cities, which they did.
I took a break for a couple of turns, we both discovered Nationalism and thus, Riflemen are somewhatg good standing vs. Cavalry. With the remaining 4 cities, after I resumed the war, I had some nice problems. I quickly transported some more Cannons to the place, with help of Galleons, to bomb those cities down.
Somewhere in the middle of it small Babylon went to peace with Joan, and signed an Embargo against me. I declared war on Babylon, for two reasons: 1) I was cocky
and 2) I was importing some Ivory from Babylon.
Overall, I destroyed France, and soon after that became the world's leading power. During the assault on their last cities, I got my third Leader. But the real reward was Sun Tzu's Art of War that I got by taking their last city of Paris. Since the continent was a large one, and I controlled all of it now, this really mattered. I can now sell all my Barracks, free myself of some payments, and enjoy the benefits... great.
Now, I'm close to finish that game, and am building the Hoover Dam. On a map with such geography, the wonder is a treasure, since I will get some nice production even of those small size 4 villages. Geography like this doesn't happen each time, but sometimes it does.
And another tip on Hoover Dam, BTW. If you build a Nuclear Plant, the Hydro Plant doesn't vanish. Generally, you can only have one powerplant in a city, but the Hoover Dam allows for two. Thus, a Hydro Plant, Nuclear Plant city is a productive one always, not to mention that it probably got a factory, too. So, it's 50% from original production, 50% more, and finally the huge 150%. Something you don't want to miss out...
