{"id":872,"date":"2014-05-18T10:18:00","date_gmt":"2014-05-18T10:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kalle-online.net\/blog\/?p=872"},"modified":"2014-10-08T06:50:01","modified_gmt":"2014-10-08T06:50:01","slug":"scramble-africa-rhodes-colossus-steam-achievement-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kalle-online.net\/blog\/scramble-africa-rhodes-colossus-steam-achievement-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Scramble for Africa – The Rhodes Colossus Steam Achievement Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Rhodes Colossus Steam Achievement<\/h1>\n
\"Scramble<\/a>
Source: http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Punch_Rhodes_Colossus.png<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First of all: Why is this Steam Achievement called “The Rhodes Colossus”? It’s named after British Colonialist Cecil Rhodes<\/a>, who wanted to establish an electrical telegraph line from Cape Town to Cairo in 1892. To picture this historical reference, see the befitting cartoon published in the Punch magazine.<\/p>\n

Now while he wanted to establish a telegraph line, we need to build a railroad through the entire continent. This Steam Achievement is pretty challenging on Deity difficulty, but please note that it does not require Deity difficulty!<\/b> If you’re new to this scenario or want to increase the likelihood of making the achievement you might not want to play this on Deity. For playing on Deity you should read the general notes on scenario setting in the Ottoman Carpentry Steam Achievement Guide<\/a>. Anyway you can consider this post a strategy guide for beating the Scramble for Africa<\/a> scenario playing as England on Deity or just get some hints for making the Rhodes Colossus Steam Achievement on a lower difficulty.<\/p>\n

The British Start – First Steps<\/h1>\n

Southern Cities<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The most important thing right from the start is getting your economy off the ground. In the capital I usually build a stable (because there’s 3 pastries around Cape Town) and Ironworks, followed by Heroic Epic. Once you have Heroic Epic sell the barracks in Western Africa. You’ll never build a single military unit there.<\/p>\n

Western Cities<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In those western cities (incl. Gibraltar) build cargo ships and optimize for gold. Speaking of it: In Freetown buy the Iron and Gold tile before France gets it! Promise him to never buy land near him again (you won’t do it anyway). Once you have established the most profitable trade routes, usually with Algiers (Morocco), build amphitheaters. Then head for happiness buildings, banks and stock exchanges. Control city growth here – you need to expand a lot and don’t want population in these cities to eat up your happiness.<\/p>\n

Early Moves<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Move ALL Ships of the Line down to Cape Town! The one from Gibraltar needs a while, but you’ll need all three! Use the riflemen for early scouting and build 1-2 explorers between the aforementioned buildings.<\/p>\n

Call to arms<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Once you have boosted Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, build some units. With your 3 riflemen from the start you’ll need about 2 Gatling guns and a rifled cannon to take out the Zulu. A cavalry comes in handy as well.<\/p>\n

Challenges<\/h1>\n

There’s two main challenges whilst making this achievement. It’s things you can only marginally influence, but yet they have tremendous impact on your chances of victory:<\/p>\n

Central Africa<\/h2>\n

To build a railroad north you have to own a corridor of land through the entire continent. This is particularly difficult since north of you are the Boers and the Zulu and north of them both Portugal and Belgium will quickly settle the land.<\/p>\n

Egypt<\/h2>\n
\"Civilization<\/a>
Four Civs declaring war on Egypt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The second fact is that Egypt is god damn far away from your production centers. I can even tell you how far: About 56 hexes! That said you have to make sure Egypt survives as long as possible. If Italy declares war on the Ottomans in turn 1 or 2 you need to do something. Bribe them against Morocco or whatever. Also I experienced when Italy is at war with Egypt but didn’t conquer the Ottomans before, it never attacks the Egyptian cities. However: Make sure you are the one to conquer Egypt. Trade with the Northern Africans at the start to help and support them.<\/p>\n

Strategy and time line<\/h1>\n

Below you’ll find the strategy guide together with a detailed description of the game I played. Here’s the main points in a nutshell:<\/p>\n