Civ 5

[Chad32]

I've been playing this. I think I like Rome best, because of the bonus production to buildings already in the capital. Not to mention the legions that can build roads and forts.

Taking cities can be quite hard. You need some catapults, especially if the city has a wall. Ranged units are preferable. I would try waiting until you're out of the ancient age, so you can use cavalry, siege weapons, and better melee units.

Unfortunately even taking cities can cause a lot of unhappiness, which is another good reason to wait until you have mathematics. I'm not really sure that cutting a swath through the continent for a domination victory is all that practical, unless you really gear for it with policies and military related wonders.

I've played a while on two maps. The first was an Earth map, where I started alone in North America and won with a diplomatic victory. I was far enough ahead scientifically that a science victory would likely be easy as well. This was on easy, though.

My second was on a Pangaea map, because I wanted more conflict. It was on normal, and I've been struggling. Between being harassed by a strong military power, to having another civilization ally with most city states, and having money and happiness problems, victory isn't so sure. Diplomatic is not on the horizon, my military is struggling to push back against the one I'm at war with, and I'm not significantly ahead enough to be confident in a scientific victory.

I have started just after the ancient age as well sometimes. It's nice to have all of the most basic technologies out of the way. You also tend to start with a worker and an extra military unit, which is good.