Great Person strategy question

[Nox Ffred Dragon]

I'm playing my first game as Americans on small true start location map. I'm the only civ in north or south america.

I'm going for a domination victory and right now am biding my time, building and developing cities. I've seen a couple galleys row up to my shores from other civs but I don't seem to be in danger of getting into a war anytime soon.

Given that, I've been offered a bunch of great generals and admirals but passed on all of them to save the points, figuring I'd make better use of the points when war is a more near term prospect.

I am wondering if that is seems like a reasonable strategy with the great generals and admirals, given my circumstances? I read somewhere that by passing it reduces the cost for another civ to acquire but I'm not sure if that's a good enough reason to take a great person that will likely be obsolete by the time I have use for them.

Thanks much for any insights anyone can offer!

[grognardgary]

No. There is at least one of those at least in vanilla that lets you cross ocean tiles before you get the appropriate tech much before. and that can be worth your weight in gold. Oh and remember experience promotions carry over when a unit is upgraded. There are also two Great admirals that also that convert single ships into Armadas and fleets.

[Damn_Monkey]

Depends on how much Great General points you are amassing. And how much religious points your gaining per turn. I usually just buy all I can, if only to deny the other guy from getting some.

Make sure to take a close look at the Bonus Abilities. Not all are for combat. Sun Tzu gives you the Art of War great work, while Trưng Trắc offers a perma reduction of War Weariness by 25%. And if you're going for a domination victory, you will spend a lot of time at war, so that is nice.

[Stormwinds]

You shouldn't pass every general and admiral you can. Even if you don't plan on using them for their passive bonuses, you should still be recruiting them for the activated bonuses. Some give extra envoys or promotions with one admiral giving you the ability to cross oceans early. It is true that you lose points by passing on them and make them cheaper for someone else to pick up. Only pass on admirals and generals if neither their passive abilities nor their activated abilities help you. It's literally free bonuses.

See this thread:
https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/passing-on-great-people.662654/

[Nox Ffred Dragon]

Originally posted by grognardgary:

No. There is at least one of those at least in vanilla that lets you cross ocean tiles before you get the appropriate tech much before. and that can be worth your weight in gold. Oh and remember experience promotions carry over when a unit is upgraded. There are also two Great admirals that also that convert single ships into Armadas and fleets.

Are Great General and Admirals able to be promoted or just regular units?

[Stormwinds]

Just regular units.

[guard65]

I suggest you look at what each great person is offering and if you are even close to the number of points per turn for that type top make a run for it.

If you are close to the front of the pack check your cities with the correct building type which will have a project that rewards GP point when completed. When the time comes and it is a close race to a great person you want you may have to spend the gold or faith to rush the job or AI might.

[Nox Ffred Dragon]

Thanks everyone for the advice!