u/unhappymushroom

I found I can consistently bully deity AI with Tonga on archipelago map. It is super OP and versatile which is highly recommended.

Here is why

• Tonga's scout can enter deep sea in antique era. 4 scouts can light up the entire map in the antique era. Key benefits are:
• 1. Pair with Marco Polo memento (+50 gold per 100 revealed tile) to get huge amount of gold.
• 2. Be able to plan through the entire game, including where to settle, move settler in advance before age transition, where is natural wonder, where is AI.
• 3. Be able to collect the ruins from the entire map. Ruins from distant land can be coastal raided which is very common for archipelago.
• Tonga can be the suzerain of independent power in distant land with -50% influence cost. You'll be suzerain of at least 50% of independent power in antique era, and almost all in exploration and modern if you save some influence before age transition. This will give you huge boost in every aspect.
• Tongan tradition is available in subsequent era as well so feel free to switch civ. I like Iceland in exploration and British in modern.
• Tonga has strong naval unit and AI is dumb in war in archipelago.
• 1. War in archipelago is much simpler. Only need to mass produce a single type of unit. No terrain. Naval unit can capture most AI's settlement.
• 2. AI won't create a large naval army.
• 3. You can lure enemy land unit into water and one-shot it. Free farm of commander exp.
• 4. Raid the hell out of AI.
• Tonga can work with most leaders well and focus on any victory type. A few mentions including:
• 1. Isabella. Be able to control all natural wonder in the empire. Also naval unit is 50% off which is OP in archipelago.
• 2. Augustus. Just settle the entire world and leave no space for AI.
• 3. Himeko. Be friend with every AI to get huge boost in science.
• 4. Ibn Battuta. Even faster to light up the entire world.

If you have trouble with deity or never tried archipelago map, definitely recommend Tonga. The only downside of Tonga is that it requires DLC.

I am pachacuti+nepal, 2 AIs are charlemagne+norman and napoleon_emperor+french. Currently at about 2/3 of exploration stage.

Is this still winnable? Should I

• Win economy in modern era. My major concern is science. Because pachacuti+nepal has no perk in science I am not sure if I'll have enough time. Both AI have 60 innovation points.
• Prepare war with AI now. Should I fight during the end of exploration or start of modern? Pachacuti has no war perks either.

Or should I start over...what settings can make deity slightly easier?