C-IV BtS BOTM 304 (Portugal, Emperor level)

Game starts: 20 Feb 2026, finishes: 31 Mar 2026

This game has not yet started. Bookmark this page! You'll be able to download the starting saves here when the competition opens, in 6 days, 7 hours

• Civilization: Portugal - Unique Unit: Carrack (replaces Caravel),
• Unique Building: Feitoria (replaces Customs House)
• Leader: Joao II
• Difficulty: Emperor
• Map size: Standard
• Map Script: Lakes
• Starting Era: Ancient
• Speed: Normal
• Options: No goody huts, no random events
• Rivals: 6
• Victory conditions: All enabled
• World wrap None
• Schedule: Starting saves will be available below from February 20, 2026
• Submissions: Will then be due by March 31, 2026

OK... let's go! In this game you will play as Joao II of Portugal at Emperor difficulty level. The map started out as lakes, but some modifications you should know about. First: you start with 100 gold because it's a big map script and maintenence costs can be brutal. Second: For the same reason - and also because I personally hate the confusion a world wrap in a land-based map can lead to. Third: I hate a UU that is U-Useless, so have made it theoretically possible to sail to almost any sizable lake or sea, assuming the pre-built forts are inside your cultural boundaries so they could be used as canals. Finally: I put windmills near the canals to power them. ;) My only remaining advice: watch out for Vikings, and Barbarians start with Archery.

As always, have fun playing the GOTM and we hope you join us in the postgame discussions!

Choose your Game

Besides the normal contender, we sometimes provide an easier save (the adventurer save) and an extra-hard save (the challenger).

For this game, we are offering only the contender save - so everyone plays exactly the same start.

Contender (the standard save)

This is the save that most people play. If you want to enter the competition with a normal game, then download and play this one.

Contender bonuses:

• None.

Other info