posted 05-15-04 07:01 PM EDT (US)
I suggest everyone listen to what he has to say!
Nations like Brits (free archers), Aztecs (free UU Light Infantry and kill bonus),Turks (early food bonus and cheaper mil) are good ancient raiders as well As raider units itself i would go for an archer first since he is Not to say that the 50 wealth for first archer suits very well, next one would cost 51 so you need some wealth source for that (if you have none archers are hard to get) Romans of course make good ancient raiders as well, and Americans since they can get science2 very fast (only one ruin) and get +3 resources each per barracks unit (which is of course minor at the beginning but one thing which makes it more attractive). However I have papyrus which gives me an big help to reach Gunpowder, his big borders (with him being able to move in there for healing/hiding) makes him dangerous. I would go for straight defensive game play reaching Gunpowder asap, doing barracks spamming and match him off while I attempt to sneak and breakthrough raid. I would try to wear him down and would pay very close attention in Enlightenment, in Industrial/Modern I would use my strong late game to turn the tide and finally kill him sooner or later. I'm more the fan of grouping some cavalry units with the Despot Patriot and try to kill as much as possible while trying to lose nothing. For example 2 Heavy Cavalry + 2 Horse Archers + Despot can wreak some serious havoc and is a lot harder to stop than one single Horse Archer / Heavy Cavalry The new improvements in the scripting language are cool as well, not to mention the now auto-downloadable scenarios and scripts. I dislike how they nerfed Maya, its a bit too much and that they didn't buff Greeks The patriots are a nice addition, though for example French lost a bit of their touch cause of them (free general/supply wagon...) Same for governments though I rarely go for republic and democracy. If I think about what to do in order to win I most often come to the conclusion that it would fail, so I fall into a state of defensive booming game play vs them which is dangerous against both of them. At the start of the game I first decide how I start (considering my nation and the map) I'm doing this on the loading up screen. This however can be changed when I'm actually in game, mainly due to rares or resources spots (maybe rather going sci1-com1 instead of sci1-civ1 if there is a lake in start border and a 8 men wood spot?) Knowing the game is important as well if you want to become better. [This message has been edited by TheGoodEvil (edited 05-16-2004 @ 04:15 AM).]
What is the most effective ancient raiding? units, time frame, civ as well
What do you consider effective? Keeping the enemies attention or causing as much havoc as possible?
I think Persians,Bantu and Iroquois are the best Ancient raiders since they have bonuses (ranged Heavy Infantry, faster speed, faster in friendly territory and extra hp) for the raiding itself and bonuses which helps them keeping pace economically (50% more food and cheaper civ research,cheaper cities and many ruins)
a) ranged
b) has insane los (ruins...)
with an slinger or hi coming next
What if you're against Spain or Iroquois and get few ruins and your raid isn't very effective, how do you recover from that?
which nation am i? how do i feel? which rare in my territory did i discovered? which does he have? which map? who is the enemy? How do resources spots look and is he now actually Spanish or Iroquois? Which size is the map? What are the settings?
OK you have the "papyrus" rare resource, good starting wood spot (5) and you are Aztec, he is Iroquois has gems and a (4) wood spot Old World map, standard rated setts
I wouldn't do Ancient Raiding with those setting.
First off Iroquois have a great start, good defensive capabilities and a strong enlightenment age, since he got more ruins and gems he can border push while affording an bigger army
(sneak is raid while occupying him in some big army fight via minimap,breakthrough raid is moving an unit while fighting fast to a resource/rare spot and raid there)
what is your ideal classic raid, units time?
Hmm good question, i rarely look at the timer so i don't have a good feeling on what I'm doing and when.
The normal sending in of Horse Archer, Heavy Cavalry, Heavy Cavalry is a bit too overused since most players prepare proper raid defenses, and when being alone your raiders are more likely to be killed.
what is proper raid defense in your opinion?
IMO Light Cavalry is the best raid defense cause of their speed, they work fine against Horse Archers however against Heavy Cavalry you need 2 or 3 Light Cavalry gangbanging him while micromanaging so that the Heavy Cavalry doesn't kill one of your Light Cavalry.
How would you define your playstyle? Defensive booming, Aggressive...
It depends on the enemy, I just try to do what I think I need to do in order to win.
Is there a failsafe way to win?
If i thought so i wouldn't play this game.
Likes and dislikes on the new features in T&P?
I like how they added the rating range in quickmatch, though its still small map.
Do governments play a major role in the game?
Governments alone change the game quite a lot, not to mention the patriots and yes the choice of which gov. and when is an important factor (i still have to learn the gov costs by heart 
).
lol
What are some of the things that go through your head while playing someone like TWC_ShaDowZ?
Playing Shad and Frogman is a horror for me, my win/lose against those two is so horrible that i don't play normal vs them.
Well I just want to catch a drift on what your initial thoughts are, like your basic floor plan for your eventual strategy?
I try to be flexible with my actions in game, I consider a lot of factors when playing in game (like rares, resources spots, nations, enemy, ruins etc.)
Any tips for us noobs?
Use your head, always. Know your enemy like you know yourself. Focus to win the game not to win a small battle in it. Look at minimap regularly. Try to surprise your enemy, be unpredictable and have fun.
Well I'd like to thank you for your time and vast knowledge of RoN and T&P, you are by far one of the most learned persons in the game!
Thank you
