[Edratman]

I haven't tried the no independents games because I like using independents myself. Some are pretty cool.

I'll go out of my way to conquer Amazon provinces because of the sacred troops and the same with giants because I like giant commanders and give them the bow of lightening with the strength enhancing boots and bracers if I can. Too bad they are not more common. They are not quite as good as the etheral crossbow, but you can do them earlier and they fire every turn.

That does raise a question, is there anyway to alter the ratio of human/non-human independents? I seem to get a much higher ration of human independents in my current map series. Based on Gandalf's advice, I make custom maps, (trying to do this from memory) 3000 X 2400 resolution, 350 to 400 provinces, mountains 95, ruggedness 85, water 15
rivers about 300. Are these settings a factor?