Strategy — South Asian Alliance
Opening (rounds 1–10)
Open science-first with stable income—do not sacrifice city tiers for armies. First roads should tie the capital to your science cluster. Keep a minimal shield stack without chasing every map crumb.
Mid-game (rounds 10–25)
By ~15 you want a science_5 roadmap and rear security against cavalry spikes. Economic paths need Economic 4–5 online; military only if a rival bleeds stability.
Late game (25+)
Late game is holding the tech clock while reading the income ledger—one lost high-tier capital node can break the countdown. Keep a contingency army even if you are “the science civ”.
Counter-factions
Strong versus economies that delay science_5 (parts of Europe, slower Americas). Weak to early African pressure and Pacific port denial arcs.