How to win in Civilization IV – Playing the American Empire in Civ IV - Ultimate Strategy Guide - by John Sinitsky

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Introduction

Civ IV is a very popular and enjoayble game.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 previously, we are now reviewing the aspects of civilization choice.

Choosing the nation in Civilization IV has to be done in context with each nation’s unique advantages. The first nation that we are going to analyze is the American Empire.

American Empire Overview

The American nation has the Navy Seal as their unique unit (replacing the Marine) with advantages of 1-2 first strikes and the free “March” promotion (along with the Marine common “Amphibious” promotion). 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 are Fishing and Agriculture, meaning Sailing and Animal Husbandry are available instantly, and Pottery is very close (with Mining).

The civilization has 2 possible leaders – Washington and Roosevelt.

Washington

Playing with George Washington will mean you are “Financial” and “Organized”. Thus, you should research “Banking” as soon as possible, as the Banks are constructed at double speed. As you will probably have many banks – consider building the Wall Street wonder as well. Also, you should concentrate on terrains which produce more commerce, as you have a bonus of +1 for each square that generates 2.

“Organized” means you have to pay less for your civics – making the usually expansive 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. Sailing, on the other hand, is enabled immediately, as you already have Fishing.

Roosevelt

Playing with Franklin Delano Roosevelt means you are “Organized” and “Industrious”. Organized has been covered in the above paragraph, while “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.

This post is part of the series: Civilization IV - Guide To Sid Meier’s Civilization IV PC Game

This series on Civilization IV tells you how to get the best out of the classic Sid Meier PC game. Game strategy and options are reviewed and disscussed

  1. Mastering Civilization IV - Victory Conditions
  2. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game Part I – Selecting a Map (A)
  3. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game - Part II – Selecting a Map (B)
  4. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game - Part III – Climate and Sea Level
  5. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game - Part IV – Map Size
  6. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game - Part V – Difficulty Levels (A)
  7. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game - Part VI – Difficulty Levels (B)
  8. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game - Part VII – Game Speed
  9. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing the civilization - Overview
  10. Mastering Civilization IV – The American Empire in Civilization IV
  11. Mastering Civilization IV – The Arabian Empire in Civilization IV
  12. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Your Player Nation – Aztec Empire
  13. Mastering Civilization IV – Playing As The Chinese Empire - Choosing Your Playable Nation
  14. Mastering Civilization IV – Playing as the Egyptian Empire in Civ IV
  15. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Your Nation – English Empire
  16. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Which Nation to Play – French Empire
  17. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Playable Nations – German Empire
  18. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing A Playable Nation – Greek Empire
  19. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Which Nation to Play – Incan Empire
  20. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing the nation – Indian Empire
  21. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Which Nation to Play in Civ IV – Japanese Empire
  22. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Which Nation to Play – Malinese Empire
  23. Mastering Civilization IV – Mongolian Empire in Civ IV - Choosing the Nation to Play in Civ IV PC Game
  24. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Playable Nations – Roman Empire
  25. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing the Nation to Play in Civ IV – Russian Empire
  26. Mastering Civilization IV – Playing as the Persian Empire in Civ IV - Player’s Guide to Choosing their Nation in Civ IV
  27. Mastering Civilization IV – Selecting Playable Nations in Civ IV – Spanish Empire