Sid Meier has been called "The Father of Computer Gaming;" his masterpiece creation Civilization Revolution is engaging, complex and challenging. There is an infinite array of relevant choices that a gamer may make. There are four levels of difficulty with the ultimate level being Deity. According to popular blogs, most gamers never win at Deity Level. After many hundreds of hours of research (that is not what my wife called it), I have developed winning strategies for each scenario based on principles written 2,000 years ago by the great warrior king Sun Tzu. This article will enable you to lead the French to victory at Deity level in about an hour of real playing time (that should make the wife happy).
Sun Tzu Principles and Applications
- If you know others and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in 100 battles. The Cathedral is the greatest advantage of the French; such a magnificent work will give Paris sufficient culture to convert any nearby civilization. The initial order of business is to protect Paris, therefore, first research Copper because the Archer is the best defender in the early game.
- The greatest warrior never goes to war. Many more resources are required to go to war than to defend, thus, do not go to war. Stay focused, your strength is Paris with its culture. Use all available resources to build and defend Paris. An absolutely magnificent and impregnable Paris is all you need to win. Next, research writing, so that you can have spies that will defend against other spies that might (god forbid) demolish your blessed cathedral.
- Draw them in with the prospect of gain, take them by confusion. Explore with your warriors and as quickly as possible raise 100 gold so that you will get your free Settler. If necessary, sell some research in order to get the gold more quickly. Now, take the Settler and create a town in the direct path of your most powerful and aggressive opponent. Settle only 2 steps from Paris. In the new settlement, build Settlers, each time a Settler is built settle it in Paris. At this point in the game, research the code of laws so that you can change to a republican form of government, thereby building Settlers for Paris more quickly. Leave the new city undefended, invite attack. When your city is taken, wait for Paris to convert that city through its remarkable culture. At this point in the game, research gun powder.
- Captured soldiers should be treated well, get them to work for you. Once the City has been converted, move the converted troops to Paris. Now you will fight the enemy with troops your opponent paid for behind the strong walls of Paris. Build 2 or 3 settlements around Paris. The enemy will most likely spend its time attacking undefended cities with a population of 1. If they build a wall to protect against conversion, immediately send a spy to demolish the wall, or if the country is rich, send a spy to steal gold.
Following this strategy of building Settlers in the outlying cities and sending them to Paris you can quite quickly grow Paris into a perfect city with a population of 31. Now, you should research mass production. As soon as you can defend with modern infantry armies, change all resources to gold production. Build a Market, a Bank and the Trade Fair Wonder if still available. Then build the World Bank to win the economic victory. Do not think that you have cheated; there will still be an almost infinite array of decisions that you will have to make in order to successfully implement this battle plan. Once you have conquered this scenario, you can begin to analyze other scenarios by using Sun Tzu’s principles. I would like to hear comments or questions about how well this battle plan worked for you.
Sources:
Sun Tzu, The Art of War, Boston, Shambhala Publications, 1988
Lance Morton - Lance Morton is a writer, hypnotists, personal fitness trainer, and the author of Mentally Create your Ideal Weight.
