Domination Victory

[3wet6r]

Hello I am usually a very peaceful civ player (I have never won Domination or had more than 50 wars in the 350 hours I have played) because of the fact that I never have the time to build an army whats some good hints on how to play Domination

[Kijin Eira]

early wars when you get ranged units. stopping expanding type civ's before they make it anywhere and watching people like poland/monte*if they are in your game* i only played dom so far and i'm not great so take my advice with a grain of salt.
oh and anything that puts up happiness. gonna need that if you don't burn down citys

[Damsteri]

First thing: There is two different rulesets for domination victory, depending on which version of Civ V you play. In the Vanilla and the G&K versions the domination victory is achieved when you are the last civ to own your original capital, so the domination victory can be achieved even in peaceful play (letting other civs to capture each others capitals). This changed in the BNW, and in the BNW you must control all the capitals at the same time to achieve domination victory. The BNW version is much harder, because you have to hold all those capitals and they are normally well dispersed in the map. It's also gets harder proportional to the map size, because you have to capture and hold 9 other capitals in large map and 11 in huge map.

Try to concentrate only on capitals, it helps. You need only their capitals, and you can let other civilizations live. You get lesser warmonger penalty if you let them live with some tiny cities and capitals are only thing what matters. Raze all useless cities you might capture, if they don't have a new luxury resources, important strategic resourcess or good world wonders. You have enough happiness and gold problems just for holding those capitals.

[Eifersucht18]

Domination is really one of the easier victory types as the AI is dumb. No tactical savvy at all, and its a pure numbers game

For Domination Wins:
- Explore with 2/3 Scouts early and far - find all other Civ locations - cities and capitals, quickly
- Focus on the lower portion of the Techtree for military buildup. You can completely ignore the top portion as those are all culture / religion buildings. Do not completely ignore (but you can go slower) with the middle part of the tech tree which is economy focused. In summary, you will want to be furthest in the bottom half of the tech tree.
- Go for Archers and Catapults > Physics > Trebuchets > Cannons> Artillery first
- Always check the 'Demographics' tab which tells you the strength of your military, the strongest and weakest Civs, and an average - If you get to double the average in strength - easy win

[5n4k3d0cToR]

Publicado originalmente por Eifersucht18:

Domination is really one of the easier victory types as the AI is dumb. No tactical savvy at all, and its a pure numbers game

For Domination Wins:
- Explore with 2/3 Scouts early and far - find all other Civ locations - cities and capitals, quickly
- Focus on the lower portion of the Techtree for military buildup. You can completely ignore the top portion as those are all culture / religion buildings. Do not completely ignore (but you can go slower) with the middle part of the tech tree which is economy focused. In summary, you will want to be furthest in the bottom half of the tech tree.
- Go for Archers and Catapults > Physics > Trebuchets > Cannons> Artillery first
- Always check the 'Demographics' tab which tells you the strength of your military, the strongest and weakest Civs, and an average - If you get to double the average in strength - easy win

Depending on the map type (and civ type), i found that keeping a strong navy is also an advantage (which is the top of the tech tree).

[Eifersucht18]

Publicado originalmente por Lucpol |hg:

Depending on the map type (and civ type), i found that keeping a strong navy is also an advantage (which is the top of the tech tree).

Fair point and true, ..I was just trying to keep the instructions simple to remember.

I would argue however that land warfare is more prevalent and unless you are playing an all island / archipelago type map - as long as you focus on the bottom half of the tech tree and take over everyone on your continent, you will only have to worry/deal with the civs on other continents when it gets to late game with long range weapons / nuclear subs etc

[5n4k3d0cToR]

Publicado originalmente por Eifersucht18:

Publicado originalmente por Lucpol |hg:

Depending on the map type (and civ type), i found that keeping a strong navy is also an advantage (which is the top of the tech tree).

Fair point and true, ..I was just trying to keep the instructions simple to remember.

I would argue however that land warfare is more prevalent and unless you are playing an all island / archipelago type map - as long as you focus on the bottom half of the tech tree and take over everyone on your continent, you will only have to worry/deal with the civs on other continents when it gets to late game with long range weapons / nuclear subs etc

+1

[heatson]

First, pick a civilization that is geared for a domination victory. There are lots of choices; it just depends on how you want to do it. My recommendations: Zulus, Aztecs, Mongolia, the Huns, Assyria, Germany, Japan, Rome, England, China, Persia, Denmark, the Ottomans, and maybe Poland.

Second, try going for some military wonders like Statue of Zeus, Alhambra, Brandenburg Gate, Great Wall (so you don't have to deal with it if other civs build it), maybe Great Library, Great Lighthouse and other militeristic wonders. If you cannot build these in time, simply conquer those cities with these wonders first!

Third, remember that domination victory is achieved by capture all enemy capitals, not all enemy cities! You only have to control all capitals to win.

Fourth, denounces will haunt you from probably every civilization in the game. On higher difficulties, they will even plot against your own empire while you conquer others! Worse, the AI may find another AI to declare war against you! Before you know it, YOUR capital is gone. Make sure you still have some money or defencive units to help.

Fifth and last, use flanking well!! The AI will ALWAYS use it to their advantage to catch your units off guard. When you flank, your units get a combat strength bonus as much as like 40%! Try to kill units ASAP so they don't use that annoying insta-heal (the AI uses this a lot) promotion. Hope this helps!

[TheGaleRider]

1. Work on developing some nice cities early game so you can churn out some units.

2. Consider getting some good science output so that you can be technologically advanced, however, you can stay on par with tech if you want (just don't fall too far behind).

3. Don't focus on wonders too much. Some wonders are nice (like Statue of Zeus), but remember that you'll simply just conquer the cities with the wonders and still get the bonuses.

4. HAPPINESS. Make sure you have solid happiness so that you can handle the unhappiness that comes with conquest.

5. Focus on the capitals. You don't have to conquer the whole world.

6. The world is going to hate you. City-States are your friends.

7. If you pick a Domination-oriented Civ, you don't have to wait for its UU(s) to begin conquest (you shouldn't wait).

8. Have well-rounded armies. Carry enough infantry (Swordsmen, Longswords, Riflemen, etc.) so they can take the bulk of the attack. A few mounted/armored units will help with hit-and-run attacks (especially when taking cities). Anti-mounted units (Spearmen, Pikemen) can also double as infantry. Always carry enough siege weapons. They will help take down cities faster, but they're kinda squishy. So carry some extra siege weapons. Ranged units can help pick off some units (but they're also squishy, so keep them away from the front lines).

9. Don't neglect the navy (kinda depends on map type).

10. Beeline essential techs (ones that provide new units, more science, reveal resources, etc.)

11. Ideologies such as Autocracy and Order will help.

12. Use flanking and terrain to your advantage.

Publicado originalmente por heatson:

First, pick a civilization that is geared for a domination victory. There are lots of choices; it just depends on how you want to do it. My recommendations: Zulus, Aztecs, Mongolia, the Huns, Assyria, Germany, Japan, Rome, England, China, Persia, Denmark, the Ottomans, and maybe Poland.

"maybe Poland"?!
Winged Hussars + Ducal Stable = a force that will be strong in the Medieval, Renaissance, and somewhat in the Industrial Era. Plus, the Polish UA will help ANY victory type.
And you don't necessarily need to pick a domination-oriented Civ if you want a bit of a challenge.

[zxcvbob]

The Huns are great for early domination; you must start all the way back at 4000 BC (ancient era), and setting the pace to "epic" helps. (marathon should be even better, but I don't have the patience)

Alexander (Greece) is also supposed to be a good one.

I'm having a lot of fun in a game now as "Gandhi the Terrible", 5 or 6 techs ahead of everybody else and the only civ with any gold left so there's no way they can catch up. Shaka has been my BFF the whole game; he will be so shocked when I backstab him, but right now he's still useful...

[Nekoborg]

Publicado originalmente por heatson:

Fourth, denounces will haunt you from probably every civilization in the game. On higher difficulties, they will even plot against your own empire while you conquer others! Worse, the AI may find another AI to declare war against you! Before you know it, YOUR capital is gone. Make sure you still have some money or defencive units to help.

Why do people get provoked when it’s a game AI that denounces them? It’s not like the AIs opinion of you is important.
If it was real life politics then if you live in a civilized country it might shame or embarrass you if denounced, but does it really matter, sticks and stones can break bones but you have to be sensitive if words can hurt or provoke you.

[Nekoborg]

Publicado originalmente por Broon Coo:

Publicado originalmente por Nekoborg:

Why do people get provoked when it’s a game AI that denounces them? It’s not like the AIs opinion of you is important.
If it was real life politics then if you live in a civilized country it might shame or embarrass you if denounced, but does it really matter, sticks and stones can break bones but you have to be sensitive if words can hurt or provoke you.

You don't seem to understand the point, A.I denouncements have an actual in-game effect, whereby other A.I are influenced by denouncations made by fellow A.I they are friendly with, such A.I will treat you less favourably (worse trade deals, etc), so much so that they are increasingly likely to declare war on you.

So you beat them up too if they mouth off, it’s a domination victory type we are talking about here, it’s going to get violent with every one sooner or later anyways. Raze any city you need to, warmonger is part of domination.

[Nekoborg]

Publicado originalmente por Broon Coo:

Publicado originalmente por Nekoborg:

So you beat them up too if they mouth off, it’s a domination victory type we are talking about here, it’s going to get violent with every one sooner or later anyways. Raze any city you need to, warmonger is part of domination.

If you do this, you will be DOW'd by every single other A.I in the game fairly quickly, you must play the diplomacy game well if you want to win a Domination victory, particularly on higher difficulties.

Capturing cities just to raze them still increases science and culture costs across your empire and is a sure fire way to lose a domination victory on higher difficulties.

Like who cares about that, they will DOW you sooner or later anyways.

If you are a real man and have the weapons to hurt them bad and can dominate them with force, then act like it and talk using your hands like a real man, talking with words is for women, sissies and wimps.

He who strikes first usually wins; if you talk you risk being struck first, that is the law of the jungle.

[heatson]

Publicado originalmente por TheGaleRider:

1. Work on developing some nice cities early game so you can churn out some units.

2. Consider getting some good science output so that you can be technologically advanced, however, you can stay on par with tech if you want (just don't fall too far behind).

3. Don't focus on wonders too much. Some wonders are nice (like Statue of Zeus), but remember that you'll simply just conquer the cities with the wonders and still get the bonuses.

4. HAPPINESS. Make sure you have solid happiness so that you can handle the unhappiness that comes with conquest.

5. Focus on the capitals. You don't have to conquer the whole world.

6. The world is going to hate you. City-States are your friends.

7. If you pick a Domination-oriented Civ, you don't have to wait for its UU(s) to begin conquest (you shouldn't wait).

8. Have well-rounded armies. Carry enough infantry (Swordsmen, Longswords, Riflemen, etc.) so they can take the bulk of the attack. A few mounted/armored units will help with hit-and-run attacks (especially when taking cities). Anti-mounted units (Spearmen, Pikemen) can also double as infantry. Always carry enough siege weapons. They will help take down cities faster, but they're kinda squishy. So carry some extra siege weapons. Ranged units can help pick off some units (but they're also squishy, so keep them away from the front lines).

9. Don't neglect the navy (kinda depends on map type).

10. Beeline essential techs (ones that provide new units, more science, reveal resources, etc.)

11. Ideologies such as Autocracy and Order will help.

12. Use flanking and terrain to your advantage.

Publicado originalmente por heatson:

First, pick a civilization that is geared for a domination victory. There are lots of choices; it just depends on how you want to do it. My recommendations: Zulus, Aztecs, Mongolia, the Huns, Assyria, Germany, Japan, Rome, England, China, Persia, Denmark, the Ottomans, and maybe Poland.

"maybe Poland"?!
Winged Hussars + Ducal Stable = a force that will be strong in the Medieval, Renaissance, and somewhat in the Industrial Era. Plus, the Polish UA will help ANY victory type.
And you don't necessarily need to pick a domination-oriented Civ if you want a bit of a challenge.

True about picking the civilizations. I actually played Morocco for domination to get some achievements. I just picked best suited for domination. Correction: Winged Hussars are available late Renaissance not Medieval and are available till the Modern Era. I said maybe because there are better civs out there for domination in my opinion. I think Mongolia has a better calvery force than Poland. What if your enemy has spammed pikemen (I emphesis the "spammed" due to Winged Hussars being upgrades to pikes)? Mix in some jungle and walls/castles and suddenly, Poland isn't that great as we thought it would be. Mongol horses are faster and can handle that terrain better. There good, but not legendary.

[TheGaleRider]

Publicado originalmente por heatson:

Correction: Winged Hussars are available late Renaissance not Medieval and are available till the Modern Era.

I worded my reply a bit weird. I meant that Winged Hussars will simply trample any Medieval unit. And Renaissance. And are still useful in the Industrial Era.

Publicado originalmente por heatson:

I said maybe because there are better civs out there for domination in my opinion.

Of course there are.

Publicado originalmente por heatson:

I think Mongolia has a better calvery force than Poland. What if your enemy has spammed pikemen (I emphesis the "spammed" due to Winged Hussars being upgrades to pikes)? Mix in some jungle and walls/castles and suddenly, Poland isn't that great as we thought it would be. Mongol horses are faster and can handle that terrain better. There good, but not legendary.

No, Winged Hussars have the same speed as a Mongolian mounted unit. Keshiks have 5, and Winged Hussars have 5. This means that Winged Hussars will cut through terrain just like a Keshik. So your terrain argument is invalid. And Pikemen won't work against Winged Hussars. Winged Hussars have a base 28 Strength, where Pikemen have 16. But Pikemen have +50% combat vs. Mounted units. This means that Pikemen will have 24 strength. Pikes will still be weaker against Winged Hussars, meaning that Winged Hussars can still use Heavy Charge, pushing back the Pikeman line. And if it can't be pushed back, they'll simply just take extra damage. And Winged Hussars can still move after attacking, so they can still flee a distance (even in rough terrain) where the Pikemen will have trouble keeping up and the Pikemen will be either dead or pushed back.
Additionally, Keshiks are remarkably weak on defense, where a Winged Hussar can take a beating.
Winged Hussars also get Shock I. But what about rough terrain? Ducal Stables provide +15 XP to all mounted units built in the City. Meaning you can get Drill I. Not to mention you can simply upgrade Pikemen with Drill promotions to a Winged Hussar and those promotions will stay.
Walls and Castles don't matter. You should be bringing in siege weaponry anyway.

Verdict: Winged Hussars>Keshik

[Lon 'Qu the Betta]

The best civ for a domination victory that I've used is Japan. Mainly because of a single unit, the samurai. If you keep upgrading their range defense they're literal tanks that you can just put next to a city as bait. On any difficulty, the AI attacks the enemy that is closest. If you place artillery 3 tiles away they have no choice but to attack the samurai. I always play the game on marathon because I like to see how a civ plays. Plus it's harder than the other speeds because technologies take longer to come by. Anyways the samurai are perfect for taking cities. Have your artillery pound the city walls while the samurai just sit there in defense mode. When I played with Japan I had half the Earth map taken over by 1986. Only enemies left were Hiawatha, Alexander, Bismark, and Shaka. After that I just waited until I got heli gunships and went to town. Was definitely a fun playthrough.