I have a similar question, and I don't think it needs its own thread so i'll post it here if nobody minds...
I'm fairly new to the game, and I also wonder about when to advance, and what exactly to do after i do advance. I usually do it as soon as i can, and with Zeus (who I play as) if I'm on a good hunting map I can usually get there around 4-4:30 (usually by Athena)
The problem is that way I have maybe 15 villagers, and I have only two real options:
1. Set up a good econ for mid-late game
2. Put all my eggs in one basket and hoplite rush
I can't really do both, as puting food to hops and villies means I have not very many of each for the few minutes right into the beginning of classic, which is really one of the most important times of the game. If I go econ I risk being caught with my pants down and no military. If I go hoplites and the rush fails, i'm way too far behind to ever catch up.
And here I stand, happy to have composed yet another non-contributing post
ESO NAME: Tireseas
I play Greek to the death! Not by choice, understand, thats just how the games seem to play out...