First game of conquests and I am playing at a middle level as the Egyptians - basically the same as I often did with PTW to see how the differences work.
First impression is that it is much harder to conquer and win, the AIs seem to get a lot more units than before but that wasn't the problem. Before you could sue for peace after a few turns and even get a city or two if you were winning, but certainly if you hadn't fought it would be even terms....
The Mongols were on another continent and declared war on me. I have just got to Democracy and have a small tech lead which means I have cavalry first. They don't reach me to fight but wont accept peace without military tradition (I have the stronger army). I say no. they get 2 other civs to declare war and all the rest bar two to set up trade embargos. The result is that my research virtually grinds to a halt. All the really weak civs wont accept peace without a tech either
Different from before and makes it very hard. Say no to a "weaker" but aggressive civ and then this happens. I don't want to wage war together with another civ........so perhaps the new tactic is to set up trade embargos yourself but it is a bit late now......
