The AI has *huge* advantage (as always) both in the money it can spend on diplomacy and in the starting diplomacy itself, so outbidding the AI to get good relations with the minor nations is impossible. The only solution is to find a source of gems in the New World and to conquer the province from the indians before the AI attack it.
Also don’t research the mundane techs, spy them. Go and research only light artillery – if you fall back behind the AI in it you are toast.
The truth is the initial turns are more like a chess, not a strategy. No1 will sell in the beginning anything else besides wood. But you can check what the minor nations have as raw resources and put a pud for them in the 1st turn. No AI buyers in the first turn so you can buy couple of mats which often are worth the whole game (but I admit this is kind of exploit although it is legal move).
Also dump the lonely peasant you have as an army – it is completely useless but will eat you precious food.
Once you conquer a province with gems start saving mats for port and fort. At this stage the AI often sells you some bronze.
Once you secure your province AND you do not fall back behind the AI in the light artillery you are relatively safe.
This is true and for lower difficulties of course but you have much more materials/food/money and the AI have much less advantages.
– Handel
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