Is a Great Person really so great?

[Chum]

Surely it's useful when aiming for a diplomatic victory?

Nah. You won't generate merchants fast enough to make a difference. Your influence would decay in the time it takes you to generate another one.

Plus I just use spies to make friends and influence people, and they don't need to be generated via specialist slots.

 

[andreafin]

That's a good idea.. You could add great farmers or expert farmer great people that can increase food in a tile.

agricultural scientist?

 

[Redaxe]

Honestly I think it would be better if they changed the Customs House into a Manor and give it a good bonus on top of the gold.
That way the manor is like a well managed farming plantation that uses the best in irrigation practices etc.

Of and I can confirm that planting an academy or manufactory on a grassland deer tile will give you 4 food as well.

 

[Xiao Xiong]

ItScientists are better, period. Engineers are better. Period. Merchants are okay, but they're very clearly 3rd in that race, so if I have a choice, I'm never spawning a merchant.

I generally agree, but there is always an exception! That exception is called "Venice".

 

[Convict]

I mainly agree with Krazjen apart from settling a Great Merchant. I do settle these early game if one spawns as the added gold over time is very helpful.

As an aside, would having Macchu Pichu make the GM spot more lucrative? I mean if it was built in a city with a connection to the Macchu Pichu city. (spell check).