Epic Fails of Newer Players (List)

[joedaman55]

Everyone enjoys chatting up their X-Box Live Party about different aspects of a Civ Rev game with friends. Occassionly there is that one instance where you see an action in a game where you ROFL telling your party "wow, look what this noob did." It takes time for people to become good in this game and a lot of reading to understand the basic principles. Through Revcast and different forum guides I have become a much better player, making a smaller amount of mistakes each game. This thread is to list each noob mistake you have witnessed in multiplayer in order to create a spot where new players can come to the forum to understand what they might be doing wrong. I will put a asterix next to each mistake I have made as a player.

1. Settling your Great Builder*
2. Researching Irrigation as Egypt*
3. Researching Literacy as China*
4. Selling Invention only to make my Collosus obsolete*
5. Moved my Horseman Army two spaces towards the city that was taken the previous turn knowing full well that my opponents Horseman Army is still there*
6. Traded Navigation for Bronze Working

[pong]

7. leaving all my costal city unprotected, eventhough I know there is a gally running up and down it with a warrior in it!!!!

[joedaman55]

8. Building Stonehedge

[Jackoneill]

Welcome to the forms guys.

[Star428]

8. Building Stonehedge

I've actually done this couple times by accident. One instance i was banking hammers in a city and i forgot about it. Other time, i accidentally rushed it w/gold cause i thought i was building something else...I've also seen at least 2 other players waste a GB on it before.

[MultiPlayaBeast]

I built the Great Library of Alexandria on 3 occasions when I was behind and another player was far ahead in the lead... thinking that I would get the techs from him but two people have to had teched the tech after you built it in order for you to have gotten the tech, lol. I was steadily getting angry thinking it doesn't work but it does but only under them circumstances.

[dukeblue1987]

I built the Great Library of Alexandria on 3 occasions when I was behind and another player was far ahead in the lead... thinking that I would get the techs from him but two people have to had teched the tech after you built it in order for you to have gotten the tech, lol. I was steadily getting angry thinking it doesn't work but it does but only under them circumstances.

Still I think you might only get techs that are teched after you build it. I could be wrong, but either way its crap or more crap!

[asmodeios]

The library only works if two civs have knowledge of the tech. If the AI is gone in a H2H the library is useless.

If your opponent was selling techs you do not have to your opponent then you would get them as well.

[Legatus]

I do #7 all the time.

I had a recent game where it took me forever to get my 100g settler, and when I did, I moved too fast and settled him inside the city.

A long time ago, I accidently used a GB to build Shakespeare Theatre. I meant to use it on the Samari Castle. I was France, so if I built it in Paris (can't remember) I would have at least got the most out of the culture bonus.

I did something else uniquely dumb recently, but can't remember it.

BTW, #2 isn't that big of a goof. If you research it first, you at least get the pop bonus.

[MultiPlayaBeast]

I on occasion when I get the 7cog, rush a galley the turn after I rushed a galley already. 60g down the drain or whatever the cost if you were working on production. Another noob mistake I used make all the time but it really never hampered me was taking over the French and thinking I get the Cathedral.

[joedaman55]

Pretty good list so far,

8. Banking hammers and actually building Stonehedge & The Great Library
9. Using a Great Builder on Shakespeare Theatre
10. Double rushing a galley in ancient

[joedaman55]

11. Declaring war on the opponent while he is in Democracy and has 5 armies on a hill next to your capital

[joedaman55]

12. Horse rushing an English city on a hill 20 turns into the game

[Star428]

Attacking an aztec AI with multiple legion or horse armies trying to wear them down.

Not armying up in a city when a zulu player attacks at greater than 3:1 odds hoping to kill their units in a counterattack. But, instead u end up losing everything in city to their zulu overrun advantage. I still make this mistake sometimes.

[Jackoneill]

.............................................

[Liam_Sutty]

I think there is a similar thread to this somewhere we we all chirped in things that we did when we were first starting out. Some big ones I remember from that list that aren't on here are: -

Getting Angkor Wat/AOC with your settlers.
Getting Atlantis with Spain for Hbr/Alpha/Pottery.
Trying to wear down an aztec archer army with 6 legion armies.
Seeing 7cog with a friendly and then settling the wrong side of the continent unbeknown to you you'd now have to sail around the world to get it.
Walking in front of a 3 flag barb not protected by a tree or hill for instadeath to warrior or loss of original settlers.

[General De Cool]

taking over the French and thinking I get the Cathedral.

Same with Thebes, often you end up with a load of useless desert. The one largest mistake I made as a noob was not knowing a flag means unit in city. Eventually I messaged someone ' How did you know the city was empty ? '

[GrizzleyTigers4]

Ha...you dont have to be new to mae epic fails....check this thread out
http://forums.2kgames.com/showthread...01#post1518601

[joedaman55]

Lol oh, i do remember reading that post grizzly. Pretty epic fail, I still do that in games when I'm going to get a walk in for a 5 minute win only to find I didn't pay attention to the barbs. I sit on my couch after that with the :O expression and began drinking immediately when I realize I lost that game and some of my self respect.

[Pedal2Metal]

BTW, #2 isn't that big of a goof. If you research it first, you at least get the pop bonus.

I sometimes try to do this intentionally if I play hyper-aggressive w/Egypt (Oracle + HAs) & get some caps because most players will often skip going after Irrigation if you are Egypt. This can open the door for you to get the bonus. In that situation, it can make Egypt very difficult to beat w/Oracle + +1 pop in all cities.

I've done so many stupid things in this game it's difficult to remember them all now. Suffice to say when you see that there are no barbs around so you feel completely safe, spend all your gold on settlers + galleons & are still trying to settle on the oceans only to see a barbarian next to your cap on the turn before you can settle, it's a pretty humiliating feeling.

best regards,
Pedal2Metal

[General De Cool]

In that situation, it can make Egypt very difficult to beat w/Oracle + +1 pop in all cities.

I've never rated the oracle that highly because Egypt often doesn't have the firepower to use it, it's more dangerous when Aztek or Arabs capture Thebes. Plus with Hanging Gardens or Colossus, much more likely to be able to research a big tech like Irregation before Medieval.

[Legatus]

I would contend that the Aztecs and Arabs don't need it.

If used properly, it gives Egypt an advantage.

Think about it: Arabs don't need it to tell their fundy vet warrior army to attack that cap with an archer in it.
Aztecs don't need it to send it their horsearmy.
Most other civs at that point probably hold off. After all, odds say that the 4.5 attacking WA will lose to the 5 defense archer.
Oracle tells you that you're going to win that fight. So Egypt can make that attack without it being a hail mary rush.

Edit: arabs can't use the Oracle anyways, as Religion obsoletes it.

[Pedal2Metal]

I've never rated the oracle that highly because Egypt often doesn't have the firepower to use it, it's more dangerous when Aztek or Arabs capture Thebes. Plus with Hanging Gardens or Colossus, much more likely to be able to research a big tech like Irregation before Medieval.

To each his own but you are missing out. If I have the oracle, I attack everything w/abandon. If I can attack, I know I've won. Single units now become powerhouses of destruction. 3 singles & "4A" tactic becomes completely risk free. It's quite good Actually if one switch to an ultra-aggressive style. It really evens the playing field for Egypt & makes them as dangerous as any other aggressive civ.

best regards,
Pedal2Metal

[GrizzleyTigers4]

I would contend that the Aztecs and Arabs don't need it.

If used properly, it gives Egypt an advantage.

Think about it: Arabs don't need it to tell their fundy vet warrior army to attack that cap with an archer in it.
Aztecs don't need it to send it their horsearmy.
Most other civs at that point probably hold off. After all, odds say that the 4.5 attacking WA will lose to the 5 defense archer.
Oracle tells you that you're going to win that fight. So Egypt can make that attack without it being a hail mary rush.

Edit: arabs can't use the Oracle anyways, as Religion obsoletes it.

Araba can use it...you cant obsolete your own wonders

[General De Cool]

Araba can use it...you cant obsolete your own wonders

True but I asume if Arab are playing then no Oracle, if English are playing then no Pyramid.

Only the English can Build the Pyramid or get it from Ankar Wot , if they are playing, and the same with Arabs and the Oracle.

So I must have been thinking of some other cowboys that ride around on horses in the first 5 turns.

[HydroDragon]

True but I asume if Arab are playing then no Oracle, if English are playing then no Pyramid.

Only the English can Build the Pyramid or get it from Ankar Wot , if they are playing, and the same with Arabs and the Oracle.

So I must have been thinking of some other cowboys that ride around on horses in the first 5 turns.

Yeah Arabs can't build it, but 99% of the times they have the oracle it'll be because they've taken it from someone else. As soon as they take the city with the oracle it becomes functional again because you don't obsolete your own wonders.

[General De Cool]

Yeah Arabs can't build it, but 99% of the times they have the oracle it'll be because they've taken it from someone else. As soon as they take the city with the oracle it becomes functional again because you don't obsolete your own wonders.

Yes but Ankor Wot doesn't give obsolete wonders and the Egyptians don't start with obsolete wonders, so no one has the Oracle if the Arabs are in the game. The arabs can build it, no one else can build the Oracle if the Arabs are playing.

This means it is impossible for Arabs to capture The Oracle from someone else, zero %

[Legatus]

So the Oracle "reactivates" (for lack of a better term) should the Arabs take over a city that has it built?

Interesting. I figured that in this case it obsoleted immediately, and once it obsoletes, it's done.

And yes, I think you can get stuck with the Oracle if the Arabs. Pretty sure it has happened to me in single player.

Now, the drawback to it (in multiplayer at least) is you can't whittle down a defensive army with it i.e. send in an army that's going to lose in hopes of wounding it.

[REM018]

Yes but Ankor Wot doesn't give obsolete wonders and the Egyptians don't start with obsolete wonders, so no one has the Oracle if the Arabs are in the game. The arabs can build it, no one else can build the Oracle if the Arabs are playing.

This means it is impossible for Arabs to capture The Oracle from someone else, zero %

I am sorry, but that is wrong (at least in MP). The Egyptians can get the Oracle as their starting wonder even with the Arabs in the game. Happens all the time unfortunately. That is why you can never be sure the Oracle is working until it tells you that you would lose an attack. Even winning multiple 0.66 vs. 0.5 or 1 vs. 1/1.5 battles does not guarantee that the Oracle is working.

The part about Angkor Wat not giving obsoleted wonders is right though. But AW never really gives the Oracle anyways. Pyramids by default. If English are in the game then the GW. If Monarchy and Engineering is researched already then Hanging Gardens. If somebody built that already then EITC (I think). There is a thread somewhere that outlines this.

And getting the Oracle when capturing Thebes as Arabs is mighty strong. Your vet HAs attack at 13.5 and 18 from a hill or if infiltration. That is enough firepower to beat archer armies with only a few tries if the Oracle "acts stubborn". And you know that when you can attack, you are winning (upgrading in the process). So any turtler with AAs everywhere is screwed if the Arabs get the Oracle. Counter-attacks are the only means of stopping that.

[ITZ DENI3D]

To each his own but you are missing out. If I have the oracle, I attack everything w/abandon. If I can attack, I know I've won. Single units now become powerhouses of destruction. 3 singles & "4A" tactic becomes completely risk free. It's quite good Actually if one switch to an ultra-aggressive style. It really evens the playing field for Egypt & makes them as dangerous as any other aggressive civ.

best regards,
Pedal2Metal

I started as the Egyptians once on an Island against a Zulu player. I made a bunch a vet legions and couldn't attack once 9-12 for about 20 turns around 5-6 times a turn. Finally around turn 20 it let me attack 9-12 and win and then 2 turns later they got LCOA and got oxford bombers... There was another time I was trying to attack 24-18 from a hill 3 times a turn for about 5 turns and I couldn't attack until the guy discovered religion. Moral of the story... I'd prefer stone hedge over oracle but thats just my opinion, probably because I've had such bad experiences with it...

[REM018]

The Oracle can be really frustrating at times. Especially when you know that your odds are doable or in your favor. I don't know why the removed the "attack anyways" option that they have in SP. Makes the Oracle way less powerful.

If the Oracle works reasonably, it is a very useful wonder. When it does not let you attack for ages, it is mostly related to you not being able to change the seed, e.g. taking barbs, losing battles somewhere else etc. Apparently the Oracle denying your attack does not change anything about the seed, which is quite stupid IMO.

[Liam_Sutty]

I am sorry, but that is wrong (at least in MP). The Egyptians can get the Oracle as their starting wonder even with the Arabs in the game. Happens all the time unfortunately. That is why you can never be sure the Oracle is working until it tells you that you would lose an attack. Even winning multiple 0.66 vs. 0.5 or 1 vs. 1/1.5 battles does not guarantee that the Oracle is working.

The part about Angkor Wat not giving obsoleted wonders is right though. But AW never really gives the Oracle anyways. Pyramids by default. If English are in the game then the GW. If Monarchy and Engineering is researched already then Hanging Gardens. If somebody built that already then EITC (I think). There is a thread somewhere that outlines this.

And getting the Oracle when capturing Thebes as Arabs is mighty strong. Your vet HAs attack at 13.5 and 18 from a hill or if infiltration. That is enough firepower to beat archer armies with only a few tries if the Oracle "acts stubborn". And you know that when you can attack, you are winning (upgrading in the process). So any turtler with AAs everywhere is screwed if the Arabs get the Oracle. Counter-attacks are the only means of stopping that.

If there are no arabs in the game and you haven't researched Religion then you will get Oracle after HGB usually. Then it's Collosus, Great Library and then EIC. I think university obsoletes GL I just know that whenver I was getting it pretty late I'd make sure to research religion, invention and university to guarantee EIC.

[General De Cool]

I am sorry, but that is wrong (at least in MP). The Egyptians can get the Oracle as their starting wonder even with the Arabs in the game.

That's is something I need to see for myself, I've never noticed their wonder being obsolete from the beginning, if that is correct.

[HydroDragon]

That's is something I need to see for myself, I've never noticed their wonder being obsolete from the beginning, if that is correct.

Unfortunately that is the case. Maybe it's different in singleplayer because I can't recall it happening there but it does happen in multiplayer.

[ITZ DENI3D]

That's is something I need to see for myself, I've never noticed their wonder being obsolete from the beginning, if that is correct.

It happens in MP a lot...

[Legatus]

Well, here's a pretty bad one by me last night. Amazing how I still screw up chokepoints.

I'm playing against LarksTonugue. I'm China, he's Arabs. He's sending horses at me, trying 2 different entry points, and i'm successfully fighting it off with a marching horsearmy that is behind the archers (the HA can cover both points). The SE entry point is an outright chokepoint, and is closer to where I think he's at.

Anyways, I decide I need to start pressuring him, so I build a galley, a legion army, and 2 archers. I land the 1st archer, which gets crushed, so I place the other archer and the LA back a little.

In the process, i place the archer 1 square east of the legion army, i.e. employing the same set up behind the choke point, thinking he'll attack the archer, get wounded, legion army kills horsearmy.

Nope. He just moves his horsearmy around the archer and kills the legion army. Ooops!

[General De Cool]

It happens in MP a lot...

I tried Egypt just to test the theory and got oracle first time. Sure enough a warrior lost a battle, I was expecting to have to play about 20 games for it to occur. I believe in the oracle now and it's power to be obsolete from the start.

[ITZ DENI3D]

I tried Egypt just to test the theory and got oracle first time. Sure enough a warrior lost a battle, I was expecting to have to play about 20 games for it to occur. I believe in the oracle now and it's power to be obsolete from the start.

Ya I lost a game to multi the other day because it wouldn't let me attack at 3100 4.5-2.5 for like 8 turns.

[ScottieX]

Ya I lost a game to multi the other day because it wouldn't let me attack at 3100 4.5-2.5 for like 8 turns.

you didnt meet any barbs or anything in that time?

[General De Cool]

Ya I lost a game to multi the other day because it wouldn't let me attack at 3100 4.5-2.5 for like 8 turns.

4.5 vs 2.5 attacking a city is like an injured warrior attacking a village or a basic gallion attacking a veteran galley, it hates to let you win even though you have advantage.