Best game settings for good conflicts

[Coozer]

I am really enjoying the game but have not yet found the best settings for good conflicts, particularly in the late game.

Either the AI crushes me early, the AI attack each other but leave me alone, or the tech and industrial difference is so great the wars are one sided.

I know its a balance issue many 4x games have but I really want to use the units and mechanics the game has for Nepoleonic, WW1 and WW2 type battles and wars.

Any suggestions for the best settings? Has anyone got these conflicts more consistently?

[AmesNFire]

I would suggest a setup where each AI and you have a continent to yourselves, that would allow you to build up to those Eras without being at risk of having a war be so one-sided.

Lots of rivers seem to help with stability and food production.

[Oddible]

I haven't had the issues you're having. I'm pretty much playing with lots of random options turned on for the maps - so I get pretty varied stuff. In three games I've had 2 distant continents, one pangea with snakey island stuff connecting the two sides, and now a smattering of smaller continents across the whole map.

Regarding enemies, I pick the recommended for the map size, Large. I choose enemies that are varied, almost all Advanced or Expert. I've played one game on Nation, then Empire, now Civilization. I've almost always had challenging conflicts. Late game it has largely been a matter of choice - how I want to win the game. If anyone is getting close to my fame I smack them down a bit. Currently most of the world has a tech advantage on me but I have more fame and am bigger - I was just in a lot more wars than them I guess. I have much bigger armies but they're more advanced. I think I've got this one in the bag but there is one massive enemy that might beat me so I'm moving my late game units near his border.

Finding the right difficulty level for you will be tough. Especially because as you play a game you will get better and learn new stuff :)