I agree with OP about France's ability. At first, I worried about building too many cities that would effect me getting policies, but realized that the 30% is wayyyyy over blown.
First, its addictive, so its 30% of the base cost, 5 cities would increase cost by 150%, not 371%. So that last city increases cost from 220% to 250%, an increase of only 13.6%. Second, its not 30% in most games! In my game, on a huge map, it was only 15%. I heard it ranges from 10-30%, so 30% that most people tout is really just for tiny 2 player maps, which no one plays on.
Early on, building cities as France actually INCREASES the rate at which I get policies. Even at 5 cities, my 5th city would increase my culture cost by less than 10%, but boost my culture from +21 to +23, so building it would not affect cost. If I built a monument or something, I would actually gain at the rate I got policies.
This idea is very creative, and probably works. I know that science goes crazy when you have a large empire, and newer units tend to have 50-75% more combat strength than the previous generation, so the 33% penalty isn't big in comparison. I'll have to try it.
First, its addictive, so its 30% of the base cost, 5 cities would increase cost by 150%, not 371%. So that last city increases cost from 220% to 250%, an increase of only 13.6%. Second, its not 30% in most games! In my game, on a huge map, it was only 15%. I heard it ranges from 10-30%, so 30% that most people tout is really just for tiny 2 player maps, which no one plays on.
Early on, building cities as France actually INCREASES the rate at which I get policies. Even at 5 cities, my 5th city would increase my culture cost by less than 10%, but boost my culture from +21 to +23, so building it would not affect cost. If I built a monument or something, I would actually gain at the rate I got policies.
This idea is very creative, and probably works. I know that science goes crazy when you have a large empire, and newer units tend to have 50-75% more combat strength than the previous generation, so the 33% penalty isn't big in comparison. I'll have to try it.