[GavinWheeler]

Originally posted by ywl:
Altenatively, you could just make sure that you have an early killer strategy to be an deterrent, such as an Blue Dragon with "Breath of Winter".

I suppose that is the main point. The question sort of predicated that you did have a much stronger neighbour, which is hopefully only going to happen if you've picked a magic heavy strategy that will only pay off later on in the game.

But on a small crowded map, where you might well clash with a neigbour in the first few turns, I guess you simply should not do that. Even if you are playing with a nation of mages, I get the impression that you need to concentrate on troops (national or mercenary) and/or a SuperCombatant pretender, to expand quickly and get a toehold if not a foothold before cranking up the research and gem hunting.

But, not yet having been able to commit to a reasonably regular playing schedule, my experience of MP play is zilch.