Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Playable Nations – German Empire

Sid Meier's Civilization was THE computer game when it was introduced in 1994 as it was the first real turn-based strategy ever. All the seuels of the game have been successful as well and produced great sales. The latest PC playable version of Civilization is "Civilization IV". Nevertheless, Civ IV is still popular throughout the world and has many thousands of fans.

With the victory options and most the pre-game selections (choosing the map, the climate and sea level, game speed and world size, Difficulty Levels (A,B)) covered in previous articles in the series, we continue with a review of playable civilization choices, with the next nation being Germany.

Germans have the Panzer as unique unit (replacing the Tank). Panzers are equal to tanks in almost every aspect. It also has the Blitz ability, allowing it to attack more than once per turn and requires Oil resource to be built. However, versus armored units (and that means Tanks and Modern Armors) it has a +50% strength, making the Panzer a very powerful unit against its “companions”. As the unit requires Rifling and Industrialism technologies, it is wise to study them as soon as possible (beware that Chichen Itza is being obsolete by Rifling and Industrialism cancels Ivory).

The starting technologies for the Germans are Hunting and Mining. This means that Archery, Animal Husbandry, Bronze Working and Masonry can be researched straight away.

The civilization has 2 leaders – Bismarck and Frederick.

Otto von Bismark is “Industrious” and “Expansive”

“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 Crossbowman (enabled by Machinery) just one technology away.

“Expansive” means that the construction of Granary and Harbor is at double speed. This enables quick population growth and prevents health problems – especially since you also receive a +2 health per city. Discover Pottery and Compass to take advantage of those buildings.

Frederick is defined as “Philosophical” and “Creative”

“Creative” means you have +2 culture in each city per turn. This will lead to your territory (defined by “Cultural borders”) growing rapidly and can save you building obelisks in your cities. Theatres are built at double speed, giving you even more culture, and Coliseums (also double speed) will make people happier in your growing empire. Discover Construction (a valuable technology in any case) as soon as possible, and acquire Drama when you can. The Globe Theater should be built quickly.

“Philosophical” means having 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.