Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Your Player Nation – Aztec Empire

Sid Meier's Civilization was the first real turn-based strategy ever. The game had several editions, and latest PC playable version of Civilization is "Civilization IV", launched in October 2005.

Even now the game is very popular. With the victory options described in this article, and most the pre-game selections (choosing the map, the climate and sea level, game speed and world size, Difficulty Levels (A,B)) covered, we are now reviewing the aspects of civilization choice. The next nation is the Aztecs.

The Aztec nation has the Jaguar as their unique unit (replacing the Swordsman). The advantages over Swordsman, however, are not so obvious. On one side, iron is not required and Jungle defense is increased by 25% (along with +10% City attack ability, common for swordsman). On the other hand the melee unit is actually WEAKER than swordsman (strength of 5 instead of 6), making it particularly vulnerable against the Axeman. Since you have no choice but have Jaguars instead of Swordsmen, study Iron working as soon as possible. Yet again, it is advised to progress to Maceman (discovering Civil Service and Machinery) as the unit is far more powerful.

The starting technologies are Mysticism and Hunting, meaning it would be wise to discover Polytheism or Meditation (founding Hinduism and Buddhism respectively) right away, and afterwards turn to Masonry, Archery and Animal Husbandry.

The civilization has only 1 leader – Montezuma.

Montezuma is defined as “Aggressive” and “Spiritual”.

“Aggressive” means that you will have a bonus of free promotion (Combat I) for all melee and gunpowder units – making your Jaguars, Axemen, Musketmen etc. 10% stronger from the very beginning. Barracks are constructed at double speed – something you would want to build in all your cities as it requires no technology at all. And, with barracks your units are even stronger (free promotion of your choice). Drydocks are sped up as well, giving you an option to build naval units twice as fast and giving them more experience. Steel should be discovered to take advantage of this building. However, beware – drydocks reduce your city health.

“Spiritual” will give you an edge of “No anarchy” during revolution. This means that you should change your civics and/or religion frequently (there is a general limit of 1 revolution in 5 turns however). Of course, when doing so you must take into account the effects of the chosen Civics and Religion. Temples are constructed at double speed, meaning that you should discover Priesthood and maybe think of founding several religions (discovering Polytheism is beneficial as it gives you both the Hinduism Religion and the path to Monotheism technology (with Masonry), which is required to Judaism). You should consider building missioners to spread religions, as it will lead to more happy people when switching to “free religion” civic in modern times.