Poles Strategy Guide

Learn how to conquer Humankind on the highest difficulty. This guide covers AI bonuses, early game survival, and late-game scaling strategies for the Poles.

Hey there! So you're looking to tackle Humankind on the hardest difficulty, huh? Smart move wanting to get a handle on the Poles strategy. This guide is all about helping you survive and thrive, especially when the AI is getting some serious buffs. We'll break down how to handle those early game challenges and set yourself up for a win.

Understanding the Humankind Difficulty Bonuses

First off, let's talk about what you're up against. The AI gets some pretty sweet bonuses on the highest difficulty, which can feel like a real punch in the gut early on. Here’s the breakdown:

• Food: +3 per Farmer in all Cities.
• Industry: +3 per Worker in all Cities.
• Money: +3 per Trader in all Cities.
• Science: +3 per Researcher in all Cities.
• Stability: +60 on all Cities.
• Combat Strength: +2 on all Units.

What's interesting about these FIMS (Food, Industry, Money, Science) bonuses is that they're flat values. This means they don't scale super well as the game progresses. Early on, that +9 industry from three workers in a small city is a big deal, potentially requiring multiple Industry Districts to match. But in a massive late-game city with 15 workers, that +45 industry bonus is much easier to overcome with just one or two specialized districts. So, while you'll feel the pinch early, things should theoretically get easier for you as the game goes on.

The +2 Combat Strength bonus for AI units is no joke, though. It's comparable to the difference between a regular unit and a unique one, making early combat incredibly tough. Honestly, you should plan to avoid fighting altogether until at least the Classical era, and probably even the Medieval era.

As for the stability bonus, it's hard to put an exact number on its impact, but it likely decreases in importance as you gain more ways to generate stability later in the game. Trading for luxury resources is your best bet to counter this.

General Strategy for Success

Based on these AI bonuses, here’s the game plan:

1. Avoid Early Wars: Seriously, don't pick fights until the Classical or Medieval eras at the earliest.
2. Trade for Luxuries: Get those luxury resources coming in to help with stability and other needs.
3. Go Wide, Not Tall: Focus on expanding your empire rather than just developing a few big cities. This helps you scale better as the AI's FIMS bonuses become less impactful.
4. Pick the Right Cultures: Grabbing Agrarian and Builder cultures early on is a solid move. They help you establish a strong foundation for the late game.
5. Focus on Stars/Fame: Ultimately, you win by accumulating the most stars (Fame). Keep your eye on the objectives and push towards them.

Remember, this guide is based on the game as it was shortly after release. Updates could change things, so always keep an eye out for new strategies!