{"id":2463,"date":"2015-11-13T07:30:21","date_gmt":"2015-11-13T07:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kalle-online.net\/blog\/?p=2463"},"modified":"2015-11-13T01:38:47","modified_gmt":"2015-11-13T01:38:47","slug":"into-the-renaissance-spain-strategy-deity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kalle-online.net\/blog\/into-the-renaissance-spain-strategy-deity\/","title":{"rendered":"Into the Renaissance Spain Strategy (Deity)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spains way into the Renaissance was a long and challenging one. By the end of the 10th century, mulad\u00edes<\/a> – Muslims of ethnic Iberian origin) had been the biggest group among the population of the Iberian Peninsula. In the 11th century the Muslim realm fractured into smaller independent kingdoms. This allowed the formerly small Christian kingdoms to enlarge their domains and increase their power.<\/p>\n

\"into-the-renaissance-spain-regions-16551494_m\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>You’ll start not exactly, but a little bit after the beginning of the Reconquista<\/a>, the centuries-long reconquest of Muslim Iberia by Christian kingdoms. The actual reconquest lasted centuries, with the frontier between Christian and Muslim kingdoms fluctuating hugely.<\/p>\n

Only when the strategically important city of Toledo<\/a> was captured in 1085, the balance of power shifted in favor of the Christian kingdoms. This is where this scenario starts. You’re playing as Isabella I of Castille<\/a>, who only came to power towards the end of that period.<\/p>\n

By then Christendom had pushed back the Muslim kingdoms on Iberia, with the biggest strongholds falling in the 13th century (C\u00f3rdoba and Seville) leaving only Granada<\/a> under Muslim rule.<\/p>\n

Only in 1469 Spain got formed as one nation through the marriage of Isabella I of Castile<\/a> and Ferdinand II of Aragon<\/a>. The way into the renaissance led to the unification of Spain<\/a>, laid the foundation for the numerous expeditions started by Spanish explorers and merchants and thus paved the way for Spain to become the first world power. Let’s follow in their huge footsteps! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Into the Renaissance – Spain Strategy (Deity)<\/h1>\n

Prologue: Spains Unique Traits & Happiness<\/h3>\n

The Spanish trait “Seven Cities of Gold” allows you to send Conquistadores to the western end of the map to receive 500 Gold and 250 Victory Points. You can do this four times, so to a maximum of 1.000 VP!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Tercio<\/th>\nConquistador<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
The Spanis Tercio<\/a> replaces the Musketman and has not only a higher combat strength (26 vs 24) but also comes with a +50% bonus vs Mounted units, so it’s much better suited to withstand cavalry.<\/p>\n

Historically these units were the first adoption of combined arms. Mixing pikes and firearms in a single unit, the Spanish Tercio were the finest infantry in Europe throughout the Renaissance.<\/td>\n

The second Spanish unique unit is the Conquistador, which replaces the Knight. It can embark with defense and has +2 Extra Sight, making it an exceptional scout for your ranged units bombarding enemy cities.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Altogether the Spanish unique traits are really nice. They’re all purely military though, so none of them really affect much of the overall strategy. You might very well win the game without either of those, as they’re no game changers.<\/p>\n

Part 1: Settle as much of Iberia as possible<\/h2>\n

Chapter 1: Settling Spain – Establishing your Empire<\/h3>\n

Playing Into the Renaissance Spain is even harder than France<\/a>. Check out the Into the Renaissance map<\/a> first. France at least has the north coast blocked and many city states in the east. So once you close the Pyrenees and the Atlantic coast, you’re safe. For Spain that’s so much harder: Your main enemy will be the Almohads<\/a> and you have to deny them Iberia<\/strong> completely. Then block the west coast of the Iberian peninsula.<\/p>\n

\"Civilization<\/a>
Positions for Spains Cities<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As you can see above, the English have sneaked in 2 of their cities. In my entire game I have not been at war with them, but having theses cities there, was painful to see.<\/p>\n

Above are my initial city positions for Spain. As you can see from the order:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Primary goal is to block the coast so the Almohads don’t settle there. They came via Lisbon though and I had to declare war early.<\/li>\n
  2. Secondary goal is to prevent France from settling south of the Pyrenees. Salamanca will block the passes, but they’ll come via the ocean. Capture their settlers even though this means war.<\/li>\n
  3. Last block the west coast as efficiently as possible, claiming most good land while not allowing tiles to settle on the coast.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"Civilization <\/a>
    Toledo blocks the Southeast <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
    \"Civilization <\/a>
    Zero Science due to loss of Gold <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
    \"Civilization <\/a>
    Salamanca blocking the Pyrenees <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

    Chapter 2: Initial Build Order and Social Policies<\/h3>\n

    The above settling strategy wouldn’t work without immediately going for Liberty, the free settler and the ability to build more settlers faster. Anything after that is a must, due to your unhappiness from the rapid expansion.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Liberty<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Republic<\/span> <\/strong>– +production in cities<\/li>\n
    3. Collective Rule<\/strong><\/span> – for a free settler plus bonus on producing settlers<\/li>\n
    4. Citizenship<\/strong> <\/span>– (turn 5<\/strong>) for a free worker and faster improvements<\/li>\n
    5. Tradition<\/strong> <\/span>– (turn 22<\/strong>) for more culture in your capital<\/li>\n
    6. Legalism<\/strong> <\/span>– (turn 37<\/strong>) for 4 free culture buildings in your first cities<\/li>\n
    7. Meritocracy<\/strong><\/span> – (turn 45<\/strong>) +1 Happiness for each city connected to the Capital<\/li>\n
    8. Honor<\/strong><\/span> – (turn 55<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
    9. Warrior Code<\/strong><\/span> – (turn 66<\/strong>) for an early General +production bonus on melee units<\/li>\n
    10. Military Tradition<\/strong><\/span> – (turn 77<\/strong>) for +50% XP for all units, which you need early to grow a huge number of veterans.<\/li>\n
    11. Discipline<\/span> <\/strong>– (turn 88<\/strong>) +15% bonus for melees flanking each other<\/li>\n
    12. Military Caste<\/span><\/strong> – Happiness and Culture from city garrisons<\/li>\n
    13. Professional Army<\/span><\/strong> – (turn 111<\/strong>) Happiness from defense structures and decreased upgrade costs<\/li>\n
    14. Commerce<\/strong><\/span> – (turn 122<\/strong>) +25% GPT in the capital<\/li>\n
    15. Trade Unions<\/strong><\/span> – (turn 135<\/strong>) 33% less maintenance costs for roads<\/li>\n
    16. Mercantilism<\/strong><\/span> – (turn 150<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
    17. Order <\/strong><\/span>– (turn 150<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Only with Meritocracy in turn 45 my happiness rating was positive again, allowing me to grow cities at the normal rate. The build order includes many many workers to quickly improve the land, again giving priority to luxury resources for happiness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      Barcelona<\/th>\nMadrid
      \n(turn 5)<\/th>\n      		Toledo
      \n(turn 15)<\/th>\n      		Santiago
      \n(turn 29)<\/th>\n      		Salamanca
      \n(turn 41)<\/th>\n      		Valencia
      \n(turn 53)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
      1. Settler (Toledo)<\/td>\n1. Worker<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      2. Lighthouse<\/td>\n2. Catapult<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      3. Work Boat (2x)<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n1. Worker<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      4. Settler (Santiago)<\/td>\n3. Worker<\/td>\n2. Market<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      5. Colosseum<\/td>\n4. Work Boat<\/td>\n3. Composite Bowman<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n1. Worker<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      6. Settler (Salamanca)<\/td>\n5. Walls<\/td>\n4. Colosseum<\/td>\n2. Composite Bowman<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      7. Work Boat (2x)<\/td>\n6. Stable<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      8. Library<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n3. Colosseum<\/td>\n1. Worker<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      9. Settler (Valencia)<\/td>\n7. Market<\/td>\n5. Library<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      10. Composite Bowman<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n—<\/td>\n6. Composite Bowman<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n4. Market<\/td>\n2. Walls<\/td>\n1. Watermill<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      11. Settler (Zaragoza)<\/td>\n8. Circus<\/td>\n7. Composite Bowman<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n—<\/td>\n3. Colosseum<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      12. Temple<\/td>\n9. Colosseum<\/td>\n8. Temple<\/td>\n5. Library<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n2. Market<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      13. Aqueduct<\/td>\n10. Library<\/td>\n9. Barracks<\/td>\n6. Walls<\/td>\n4. Market<\/td>\n3. Colosseum<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      14. Composite Bowman (2x)<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n11. Temple<\/td>\n10. Composite Bowman<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n7. Composite Bowman<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n5. Amphitheater<\/td>\n4. Amphitheater<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      15. Workshop<\/strong><\/td>\n12. Workshop<\/strong><\/td>\n11. Workshop<\/strong><\/td>\n8. Workshop<\/strong><\/td>\n6. Workshop<\/strong><\/td>\n5. Workshop<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      16. Ironworks<\/td>\n9. Barracks<\/td>\nUnits<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n9. Barracks<\/td>\n…<\/td>\n…<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      17. National College<\/td>\nUnits<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nUnits<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nUnits<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n…<\/td>\n…<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      18. University of Oxford (finished turn <\/strong>123<\/strong>)<\/td>\nUnits<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nUnits<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nUnits<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n…<\/td>\n…<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Infrastructure and Movements<\/h4>\n

      Have your workers immediately start building a road from Barcelona to Madrid. Build it in a way you pass by Toledo and Santiago, so you can found these cities quicker. At Madrid, build some more roads towards Lisbon. It’ll ally with the Almohads sooner or later and again you need to be able to maneuver and shoot, so roads are vital!<\/p>\n

      Research<\/h4>\n

      Although in the end it’s not decisive for the game, I like to at least try to score some Exploration VP with the seafaring nations of Western Europe. The research path reflects that, as I try to get Exploration as soon as possible:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Civil Service (turn 43)<\/li>\n
      2. Guilds (turn 59)<\/li>\n
      3. Theology (turn 69)<\/li>\n
      4. Metal Casting (turn 78 for Workshops)<\/li>\n
      5. Education (turn 92 – build Universities!)
        \nResearch Agreement with William signed turn 102!<\/strong><\/li>\n
      6. Machinery (turn 104)<\/li>\n
      7. Compass (turn 111)<\/li>\n
      8. Astronomy (turn 121!!!)<\/li>\n
      9. Exploration (turn 123!)<\/strong>
        \nResearch Agreement with William and<\/span> Austria in turn 128!<\/strong><\/li>\n
      10. Navigation (turn 141)<\/li>\n
      11. Chivalry (turn 147)<\/li>\n
      12. Metallurgy (turn 152)
        \nAustria denounced me before the Research Agreement could be fulfilled \ud83d\ude41<\/li>\n
      13. Banking (turn 157)<\/li>\n
      14. Steel (turn 161, compared to 113 in my France game<\/a>)<\/li>\n
      15. Humanism (stolen turn 170<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
      16. Printing Press (turn 179)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        I had to declare war on France in turn 47 as to now allow them a settlement on my side of the Pyrenees. This war lasted centuries as in the beginning they didn’t want peace, while later, after the tides of battle had turned, I didn’t want peace! Just look at their initial peace offer: Ridiculous! I got my first spy in turn 66 and send him to Amsterdam. In the entire game I hadn’t been at war with the Netherlands at all.<\/p>\n

        \"Civilization <\/a>
        Declaring war on sight of the 1st settler <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
        \"Civilization <\/a>
        Not an offer actually <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

        Chapter 3: Consolidate your Kingdom<\/h3>\n

        Meanwhile Morocco had declared war on me, too. Or I did, when I encountered one of their settlers sneaking through Lisbon into my land. At this point in time, that’s not a bad thing, as they won’t send many units against you. Dealing with France and Morocco was quite alright.<\/p>\n

        Then I had to reload some turns before, because with what happened, I could have never won this game: In turn 73 both England (2 cities in Spain already) and the Ayyubids declared war on me. Lisbon was an ally of the Ayyubids and threatened to capture one of my cities<\/strong>!!!<\/p>\n

        \"Civilization <\/a>
        War with England and Ayyubids <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
        \"Civilization <\/a>
        Lisbon capturing Valencia <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

        Going back some turns I was able to build some more units. Also I had built a citadel towards Lisbon, helping to defeat their massive army (compared to mine). Furthermore I bribed the Ayyubids against England.<\/p>\n

        \"Civilization <\/a>
        Citadel on Lisbon territory <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
        \"Civilization <\/a>
        Bribe them with all you have! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

        To build a Citadel on Lisbon territory, move your Great General into their land and leave him their for one turn (which will earn you a reputation penalty). Once he can move again, declare war, build the Citadel and make peace again.<\/p>\n

        As I literally <\/strong>bribed the Ayyubids with everything I had, including one Luxury resource I only had once, I declared war on them right after bribing them against England. At least it successfully prevented England from ever going to war with me.<\/p>\n

        Following the above build order I already had a catapult in Madrid plus 9 Composite Bowmen<\/strong>. Also you can use some Faith to buy a pikeman or other melee. That’s enough to defend the Pyrenees against France (4 archers), defend Valencia against Lisbon (5) and be flexible enough to send some units South should the Almohads come for you. Around turn 100 Spain was going Into the Renaissance with big steps, standing strongly on Iberia. In turn 102 I even made peace with the Ayyubids for 3400 Gold (for me).<\/p>\n

        \"Civilization <\/a>
        Spain Consolidated (except for those English cities) <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
        \"Civilization <\/a>
        Catching up on National Wonders <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

        Part 2: Spain becoming a Naval Power!<\/h2>\n

        Chapter 4: Exploration<\/h3>\n

        First of all: You have to excellently time building the University of Oxford (granting you a free technology) and your own research of Astronomy. Make sure you have Astronomy 1 turn before Oxford finishes, so you can get Exploration for free.<\/p>\n

        Beware: Caravels can not be bought at this time. You have to build them, so optimize your cities for production and try your best! Here’s how it worked for me:<\/p>\n