Mastering Civilization IV – Playing As The Chinese Empire - Choosing Your Playable Nation

Sid Meier's Civilization has become incredibly popular the moment the game was introduced in 1994. It was the first real turn-based strategy ever. The latest PC playable version of Civilization is "Civilization IV", launched in October 2005.

3 years is quite a period for a computer release - but even today Civ IV is a very playable and enjoyable game. With the victory options described in this article, and most of the pre-game selections (choosing the map, the climate and sea level, game speed and world size, Difficulty Levels (A,B)) covered, we are continuing a review of civilization unique abilities. The next nation is China.

The Chinese nation has the Cho-Ko-Nu as its unique unit (replacing the Crossbowman). The advantages are obvious. Although Iron resource is still required, the unit has 2 first strikes (instead of Crossbowman’s one). More important, it can cause collateral damage – any times replacing catapults. 50% against melee units is preserved. To take advantage of those units you should study the early Archery and the Machinery as soon as possible and have control of Iron resource.

The starting technologies are Agriculture and Mining meaning Bronze Working, Masonry and Animal Husbandry are available instantly, and Pottery is very close (with The Wheel ).

The civilization has 2 leaders – Mao Zedong and Qin Shi Huang.

Playing with Mao will mean you are “Philosophical” and “Organized”.

“Philosophical” means that you will have a bonus of Great People appearance (+100% birth rate). However, doubling zero is still zero – so you should either build wonders or create specialists in your cities. Universities (that speed up your research by 25%) are built with double speed, so discovering Education and building Libraries (required for University) is very logical.

“Organized” means you have to pay less for your civics – making the usually expensive Police State, Vassalage, Environmentalism and Organized Religion less painful. It also enables you to construct the “Courthouse” and “Lighthouse” at double speed, making the discovery of Sailing and Code of Laws logical. The latter is generally more important as the first to discover founds “Confucianism” religion. Courthouses will also lead you to the Forbidden Palace – reducing the corruption in your empire. You should also be inspired by the fact that Writing (leading to Code of Laws) is very close as Animal Husbandry can be researched right away.

Qin Shi Huang is defined as “Industrious” and “Financial”.

“Industrious” will mean you have a double speed production of all Wonders and Forge. The latter must lead you to discovering Metal Casting (requires Pottery and Bronze Working) as soon as possible, with powerful unique unit of Cho-Ko-Nu (enabled by Machinery) just one technology away.

“Financial” means research “Banking” as soon as possible, as the Banks are constructed at double speed. As you will probably have many banks it will bring you closer to the Wall Street wonder. Also, you should concentrate on terrains which produce more commerce, as you have a bonus of +1 for each square that generates 2.