Germans

Jaholt · October 16, 2002, 14:40

I have tried many times to win playing as the Germans, but never achieved it. Everybody (well, almost everybody) wants to declare war on the Germans. Why? Is this deliberate design policy because of real-life history?
I'm an Englishman, by the way, not German.
Has anyone succeeded as the Germans?

N. Machiavelli · October 16, 2002, 15:06

They are my second most-played Civ, so yes. In any case, do the opposive Civs declare war less when you play as other Civs on the same difficulty? Do your tactic vary drastically for different civs, i.e. you find yourself offensively declaring war more when playing as the Germans?

Jaholt · October 20, 2002, 12:56

I play the same tactics whatever Civ I use (i.e try to build up culture and only attack when another Civ gets too close). I keep my borders well defended.
Using this method I get gradual expansion and often win the game.
It doesn't work with the Germans. Perhaps new tactics are needed with more military emphasis.

Jon Shafer · October 24, 2002, 00:50

Germans: Use Warrior Code to knock off a civ early, them raise hell on your neighbors for the rest of the game. You might even get to Panzers before you get a conquest or domination victory, but I wouldn't count on it.

While it's possible to play that strategy (building) as every civ, Germany is designed to continually beat on people, making few friends along the way.

Jaholt · October 26, 2002, 12:09

This is a good tip. I have found that even those Civs who don't declare war are either furious or annoyed with me for no real reason!
I think it is essential to build libraries and universities as they are so cheap! As far as I can see this is the only + when playing Germans.
On the good side, I do enjoy a challenge.

The Pioneer · October 28, 2002, 10:27

IIRC in the editor you could set the aggresiveness for each civ. To me it seems that most civs are a little sceptical when it comes to the more aggresive ones and the germans are most definetly aggresive so it may be that the rest of the civs are biased towards your civ. On the other hand I found that even with the most peaceful civs they still get mad at you and attack you as soon as possible so it may be a combination of both!

So long...

Gangerolf · October 28, 2002, 11:52

Quote:

Germany is designed to continually beat on people, making few friends along the way.

just like in real life eh

Jack_www · October 29, 2002, 20:51

I have won as the Germans by elimation victory. The Panzer Tank came in really handy too when I was taking over the world.

Heresson · November 3, 2002, 15:58

Quote:

I have tried many times to win playing as the Germans, but never achieved it. Everybody (well, almost everybody) wants to declare war on the Germans. Why? Is this deliberate design policy because of real-life history?

I don't know, but if it is true, I like it pretty much

Serb · November 13, 2002, 03:09

Typical for you.

Heresson · November 15, 2002, 10:42

And You love it! I know that.

Finvola · November 15, 2002, 13:51

I have only played as the Germans once or twice, but I can't remember what type a victory I achieved. I may play as them in my next game and see. It's just getting used to playing as a different Civ frustrates me sometimes and I have to play loads of times before I get a formula I like.

Serb · November 17, 2002, 14:24

Quote:

Originally posted by Heresson
And You love it! I know that.

Still spaming Heresson? You've already gained your avatar. Nice dog btw

Mine is better of course

Heresson · November 18, 2002, 11:52

He's not mine, my sister's, but I had nothing better...
And I'm not spamming... I'm leading a highly cultural conversation.

Serb · November 20, 2002, 07:00

You must be joking

You

and a "highly cultural conversation"?

Stop spaming.

Heresson · November 21, 2002, 10:40

I must admit that You are spoiling it, but well,
I didn't expect anything better...

Serb · November 23, 2002, 01:40

Well, let's see:

Quote:

I have tried many times to win playing as the Germans, but never achieved it. Everybody (well, almost everybody) wants to declare war on the Germans. Why? Is this deliberate design policy because of real-life history?

You: I don't know, but if it is true, I like it pretty much

And you call this a "highly cultural conversation."?

If I was German I would find your claim offensive.
Anyhow I don't see how your comment could be a "highly cultural".

Heresson · November 25, 2002, 11:23

What do have Germans and culture in common?
hm...

Jon Shafer · November 25, 2002, 13:20

It's because Germany has the highest agression of any civ in the game, making their neighbors very upset.

Harovan · November 25, 2002, 15:12

Quote:

Originally posted by Serb
If I was German I would find your claim offensive.

Nah Serb. If it came from somebody respectable, maybe. But from "Blind dog" Heresson,

On topic: Jaholt, the Germans are not the best choice for the "builder" type of player, which you seem to be. Otherwise you'd not be afraid to get attacked, but attack yourself. The German trait "scientific" might be of some value for that playstyle, but the other trait "militaristic" certainly is not. And as Trip already pointed out, they have the highest aggression level (5), you can see this in the editor. This keeps their neighbors on their toes, or makes them "nervous". You can win builder style games with the Germans, but it's more difficult than with other civs.

To win with the Germans, you should play out their advantages. They are the only civ starting with both Archers and Spearmen, and are militaristic, what means cheap barracks and quick unit promotions. Build 3-4 cities, a barrack in each and from now on let one of them produce Spearmen and the rest Archers and go bonk some heads. Attack a neighbor. Take one city (the capital) and may be one more, raze one and make peace for all their techs, gold and maybe another city. Go "visit" the next civ the same way. After you are through with all neighbors, start with the first again. Continue with Swordsmen and Horsemen. Rinse, repeat, till your home continent is clean. Settle it completely and from now on you can switch to "builder". You won the Ancient age, which means in most cases, you won the game.

If you don't like that warlike approach, try another civ. The French, Egyptians and Indians are perfect builder civs from the start. A few of the new civs are good too. Any combinations of "Religious", "Industrious" and "Commercial" is very good. If you want some variety, mix "Scientific" in and try the Babylonians, Persians or Greeks. Each one a very good builder civ!

Nuclear Winter · November 25, 2002, 15:14

Quote:

Originally posted by Jaholt
I have tried many times to win playing as the Germans, but never achieved it. Everybody (well, almost everybody) wants to declare war on the Germans. Why? Is this deliberate design policy because of real-life history?
I'm an Englishman, by the way, not German.
Has anyone succeeded as the Germans?

You don´t need allies, you need good factories for your Panzer divisions!!!!

Serb · November 26, 2002, 02:27

Quote:

Originally posted by Sir Ralph

Nah Serb. If it came from somebody respectable, maybe. But from "Blind dog" Heresson,

I've noticed too that his dog doesn't have eyes.
What have you done with poor creature Heresson?

Heresson · November 27, 2002, 10:24

Quote:

Originally posted by Serb

I've noticed too that his dog doesn't have eyes.
What have you done with poor creature Heresson?

I relieved him from the horror of seeing ones like You.

Zero · November 27, 2002, 19:57

Going back on topic, it is probably because of their traits.

AI Neighbors hate to see 2 things:

- Militaristic civ thats powerful (But not as powerful enough to intimidate them)
- Scientific Civ thats so ahead yet wont share anything

It's probably because Germany is able to do well in both fronts.

Zero · November 27, 2002, 20:03

Quote:

Originally posted by Sir Ralph

To win with the Germans, you should play out their advantages. They are the only civ starting with both Archers and Spearmen, and are militaristic, what means cheap barracks and quick unit promotions.

Also they can research Iron working right away should they wish... (shudders in fear)

Quote:

If you don't like that warlike approach, try another civ. The French, Egyptians and Indians are perfect builder civs from the start. A few of the new civs are good too. Any combinations of "Religious", "Industrious" and "Commercial" is very good. If you want some variety, mix "Scientific" in and try the Babylonians, Persians or Greeks. Each one a very good builder civ!

Babylonians are excellent cultural civs IMO. Sci/Rel helps alot cranking out libraries and temple, so if you like culture Babs =

Serb · November 28, 2002, 00:30

Quote:

Originally posted by Heresson

I relieved him from the horror of seeing ones like You.

Sadist.

Where are defenders of animal's rights when you need them?

Heresson · November 28, 2002, 06:22

In my dungeons.

HAND · November 28, 2002, 16:04

I like culture civs but usually play as the Egyptians- The industrial trait allows to build sciencitfic improvements faster anyway. I favour the Egyptians over the Persians since there is no anarchy with religious civs.

The Germans trait implies a conquest or domination victory(fairly hard....), probably not a diplomatic or cultural victory!

HAND · November 28, 2002, 16:09

The cultural victory is probably just as hard actually.. I've never achieved that!

Serb · November 28, 2002, 23:45

Mee too, but Sir Ralph showed the way how it could be achieved easily.