I try to play Elemental the way I play Galciv2...

...because I love Galciv2.  So, I turn off random monster spawning (there's none of that in GC2).  I treat my sovereign like my flagship, exploring and snatching up goodie huts.  In the beginning of the game, I create pioneers (like I would create colony ships in GC2) and explore with them, looking for good city spots.  

I don't want to fight random spiders and wolves, I want to grow an empire and interact with the other major civilizations...