Isn't worker stealing suicidal?

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Zereth
Posted 6/30/2011 7:39:38 AM

(edited)
Hello.

I have read that many players love to steal workers from AIs at the very beginning of the game. Isn't that suicidal? At higher levels (emperor and above) the AIs start with an overwhelming military advantage. I can see doing this as part of a rush, but I need workers just to prepare the rush. As long as you only have a couple warriors, it looks like an AI can just walk its archers into your capital, or at least pillage all your improvements.

My logic must be wrong since many players are doing it successfully, so can anyone explain?

Thanks in advance.
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Zereth
gmims44
Posted 6/30/2011 9:47:32 AM

(edited)
Human players would do that to you if they had the advantage of starting archers, but the AI generally won't attack with just archers (watch out for scouting archers near your territory, though). Besides, warriors aren't that bad against archers with fortify bonuses and either terrain or city bonuses, and you should be stealing the worker with your initial scouting warrior while you build another warrior, so you won't have any improvements yet to lose to pillaging. It's risky, but if you manage to pull it off and can sue for peace (usually only after killing at least one archer), that early free worker does put you in a stronger position than you could be in otherwise. Here's more information than you wanted:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/archive/index.php/t-174333.html
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NormnStansfield
Posted 7/2/2011 9:59:45 AM
it took me a long while to realize the benefits of going hostile early. even if you can't wipe out the castle, you can pillage improvements for cash, stagnate his growth and advancement, and even snag their workers. Great fun.
of course, i don't play on emperor...

the protective trait coupled with hilltop vistas can make a huge difference, defensively, if you're worried about them just marching right in.
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hes the "Angry Video Game Neeeeeerd," funny dude: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kBMscW_dVg
Zereth
(Topic Creator)
Posted 7/4/2011 5:45:21 AM

(edited)
So basically, this works because the AI isn't smart enough to get bloody revenge on the offending player. However, you need to go warrior first before you even know if there is an easy target available.

I can see the interest on small maps with slow speed, but since I don't use those settings, I think I am going to carry on with worker first. Still, it's nice to finally understand how it works.

Thanks for the answers, especially the great link.
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Zereth
gmims44
Posted 7/4/2011 2:20:24 PM
I think it's mainly something that people save before doing so they can just reload if it backfires. Or you just quit the game if it doesn't work out because you haven't really invested any time in it yet. I don't think many people would do it if there were any consequences for reloading or quitting and starting a new game.
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Yubbus
Posted 7/10/2011 5:11:13 AM
Just to expand on that point, it's probably popularized by those who play "Hall of Fame" mode on the official civ forums.
In that mode we are trying to beat games as high difficulty as we can but we have to play "Iron man" mode. So you cannot reload the middle of a game but you can start as many game as you please. For mid-high level games the best bet is to take some chance (even if it pays 20%~40% of the time) to leap ahead, so if it fails you can always start again.
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"Nope. -10% physical damage for a Fury warrior isn't alot. " -frber