[SelfishGene]

Originally posted by tinkthank:
Any other tips for Default theme?

Imperial Consorts are (of course imo) the single best unit in the game. Even against real players and not simply the AI. They are virtually impossible to detect and require a ton of troops patrolling a province to be caught - in truth, i've yet to have a single one be uncovered.

Consorts can shut an opponents' economy down HARD. One consort causing unrest can usually be managed with 80-90% taxes - which cuts income by 25%+. Two will require 50% and the unrest will still build without patrolling. Over three and that province is locked down. You can send them straight to your opponents capital without any fear at all with their +30 stealth. It usually only takes five or six consorts to cut an opponents income by nearly half if placed correctly. Forge Rings of Water Breathing + Flying Shoes (each only 5 gems), and you shut down underwater provinces. I can't play T'ien Ch'i without consorts.

Red Guards are great. Imperial Crossbows are basically the best crossbow unit you can buy. Mages are sacred so cheaper to maintain. Eunuchs are not at all bad to have around once your past the early game (for that extra insurance).

The only mediocre unit is the Prince General, but i still buy them anyway .

My favorite blessing is Astral-9 for Red Guards; gives them a much greater chance of avoiding 'bad luck' and lets them close ranks. Also means they can charge straight into enemy cavalry and win every time.

Best T'ien C'hi build ive come up with is:

Oracle w/ 9 Astral
6 Dominion w/ Ceremonial Faith
2 Order, 1 Productivity, 2 Growth
Fortified City.

This seems to work very well and feels like it fits the theme nicely.