Why so difficult

Why so difficult

I have played the Settlers 4 maps for years and enjoy the vast majority - but cannot understand why when ingenuity is used the map does not repay the initiative. Despite the comments this could be a GREAT map. I have stolen the coal and iron needed - used the builders to generate pioneers have built a ship to get to the island then built up the colony - virtually zero coal.iron, and stone in the mines - have made a number of soldiers but are then attacked in the fog of war by unseen enemy - plus there is an unseen ship that will destroy yours close to the southern shore between the islands. at this stage the original tower is attacked - game over. Shame !

It is not that difficult.

You are on the right track.
Create a safe tower a soon as possible at the west island.
The best place is in the narrow strip.
Get some pioneers to open this land. In the meanwhile destroy EVERY building, otherwise the settlers will occupy them. When the settlers is busy expanding be careful not to come to close to the ax men on the left.
Create 5 builders and 5 diggers when the land is still not connected.
Get some settlers from the east island to the west island via the ship you created on the east island. Transfer the settlers to thief's.
Get one geologist among the thief's to the west island.
Make sure that there is a barrack at the top of the shipyard and some space for a small tower along side it.
Now carefully open the expanding space to the left without the ax men coming for you.
There is a slim margin to be on the safe side.
If the pioneers opened the space, create a large resident.
From there on don't bother to much on the west island. It resources is weak.
Build lot of vineyards and small temples on the west island.
They are the key to success.
Build some warships and a harbor after that.
There is some catapults on the top side of the narrow strip.
Take them out.
Destroy the tower on the east island, and make sure no ax men come for your new tower on the west island.
Nuff said...enjoy and be PATIENT.