I entered the industrial era in 1727 with the research of railroad. While I am starting to hit the dreaded WFYABTA limit, I still pick up more via railroad. I have made it to the middle of the pack vs. the AIs. However, I still can't determine how far ahead the leaders are. I am back in war when Khan declares in 1819 AD. Thanks to my defensive pact with Greece I suspect the transport I can see should be it. The bad thing is Khan was a big source of happiness, so my able to draft dropped way down.
I pull a scientist, and trip a golden age. I entered the modern era in 1848 AD.
I was the second civ to steam power by burning the GE, so I get to play another major round of tech catch up gaining: constitution, liberalism, economics, rifles, and scientific method. Despite this I am still several techs behind the leaders. I am down to UN or space as the only possible wins at this point.
I draw the short straw, and get a GA. I will hold onto him looking toward half of a golden age.
Nothing much happens before I enter the modern ear.
I hope I just got my big break when Monty declares on Qin. While the Aztecs easily won, I hope it bought me the few extra turns I need to beat the Aztecs to space.
I pop a prophet. I suspect the odds are low of getting two more unique GP are low, but a second GA is probably my best shot for a space win so I let him sit around.
I get a GE. Forget the golden age, he is going to help to rush space elevator.
Not a biggie, but I complete the Eiffel Tower.
I finally end my stupid war with Khan when a stack of marines razes one of his coastal cities. I finally get a key break. The big question I will never know is did the GE make the difference?
I lose on the next great person when I draw a second useless prophet. I merge him into the Wall Street city. I switch Ghuzz to starvation mode for my last chance at the correct person.
My spies give me great joy when I found that Monty is building a ship in a city with 14 base shields needing 50 more turns.
Ghuzz starvation pays, and I get to trip my second GA.
This wasn't how I wanted to win with the Zulu, but I was to far behind in tech for most of the game. Trying to fight a war with inferior units is tough. In the end I feel the decision to buddy up to Monty was right from a military standpoint, but it left me to isolated from potential trade route income.
You can see where Monty became the typical monster.
