hoLLo
Chieftain
I haven't yet seen much about the new wonder called Shwedagon Paya so I thought I'd share some ideas. I have never really been a big spiritual fan, I've played every now and then but I always felt unless I commit myself to the religious tree it wasn't really worth as much as some other traits. Before learning about this wonder I noticed the Cristo Redentor which I felt only weakened the Spiritual trait even more. But I have had a change of heart. The Shwedagon Paya gives a great boost to the spiritual trait and can make for a very powerful early game strategy. Here is what I've found.
This wonder allows all religious civics, cost 450 hams, adds GPP and double production with gold. It requires Aesthetics (and meditation) which might not be high on your tech list, but is a necessary tech so getting it earlier isn't all that bad. If I want I can easily grab it free with the Oracle although you may benefit more from another tech like CoL or Metal Casting, BUT the oracle and Paya stack GPP so it's not a bad combo considering I'm playin spiritual. Basically I go for CoL if I havent founded a religion yet, if not I grab Aesthetics. So far I've tried this with 5 of the spiritual leaders (on monarch and emperor) and it has proven its worth each and every time. Without the spiritual trait this wonder still has value, getting an early free religion or getting pacifism without needing philosophy is nice. But it is the spiritual trait that really boosts this wonder. I'm not necessarily a warmongerer but I like to go after a neighbour pretty early, and here is a list of advantages I've seen:
1. Theocracy becomes available for exp boost without dead end tech needed
2. Organized religion is great for after conquest to consolidate your bounty, so you can skip monotheism for a while or altogether
3. Free religion allows cities you conquer that already have a different religion to expand it's borders. This is especially nice if you take a holy city. I've jumped to this literally just for 5 or 10 turns to let the borders go. Also the science and happiness
4. Spiritual allows you to jump back and forth depending on what is needed.
5. Spiritual usually gives you a jump on early religion (mysticism) so you can make the most of these civics.
This wonder encourages the full use of the biggest bonus that the spiritual trait has which is 0 turn anarchy, and when the full menu of religious civics are available this is an opportunity to really run your empire efficiently. Jumping to free religion is invaluable in the early game from a diplomatic stance... need a trade or an ally in the war, free up your citizens hearts and minds and whatdoyouknow Monty's willing to fight with you.(on your side
) Switch back in 5 turns to whatever you need. Just finished the national epic and it doesn't look like there is much war on the horizen hit up pacifism for 20 or 30 turns. This wonder allows a great deal of flexibility to the spiritual trait because you can use it to death. Also worth mentioning is that it does not expire, although by the time it would expire you'd probably have those civics anyways so it's a moot point. And of course as the game wears on this wonder becomes useless because you'd have the civics by then... but with an effective use of pacifism, theocracy and free religion in the early game the 2nd half should be a whole lot easier.
EDIT: I mentioned double production speed with gold, and I believe it is essential to have. Without it the build is too long for a strat that is designed to help you asap.
btw i'd love to see any feedback or ideas about this wonder
This wonder allows all religious civics, cost 450 hams, adds GPP and double production with gold. It requires Aesthetics (and meditation) which might not be high on your tech list, but is a necessary tech so getting it earlier isn't all that bad. If I want I can easily grab it free with the Oracle although you may benefit more from another tech like CoL or Metal Casting, BUT the oracle and Paya stack GPP so it's not a bad combo considering I'm playin spiritual. Basically I go for CoL if I havent founded a religion yet, if not I grab Aesthetics. So far I've tried this with 5 of the spiritual leaders (on monarch and emperor) and it has proven its worth each and every time. Without the spiritual trait this wonder still has value, getting an early free religion or getting pacifism without needing philosophy is nice. But it is the spiritual trait that really boosts this wonder. I'm not necessarily a warmongerer but I like to go after a neighbour pretty early, and here is a list of advantages I've seen:
1. Theocracy becomes available for exp boost without dead end tech needed
2. Organized religion is great for after conquest to consolidate your bounty, so you can skip monotheism for a while or altogether
3. Free religion allows cities you conquer that already have a different religion to expand it's borders. This is especially nice if you take a holy city. I've jumped to this literally just for 5 or 10 turns to let the borders go. Also the science and happiness
4. Spiritual allows you to jump back and forth depending on what is needed.
5. Spiritual usually gives you a jump on early religion (mysticism) so you can make the most of these civics.
This wonder encourages the full use of the biggest bonus that the spiritual trait has which is 0 turn anarchy, and when the full menu of religious civics are available this is an opportunity to really run your empire efficiently. Jumping to free religion is invaluable in the early game from a diplomatic stance... need a trade or an ally in the war, free up your citizens hearts and minds and whatdoyouknow Monty's willing to fight with you.(on your side
) Switch back in 5 turns to whatever you need. Just finished the national epic and it doesn't look like there is much war on the horizen hit up pacifism for 20 or 30 turns. This wonder allows a great deal of flexibility to the spiritual trait because you can use it to death. Also worth mentioning is that it does not expire, although by the time it would expire you'd probably have those civics anyways so it's a moot point. And of course as the game wears on this wonder becomes useless because you'd have the civics by then... but with an effective use of pacifism, theocracy and free religion in the early game the 2nd half should be a whole lot easier.EDIT: I mentioned double production speed with gold, and I believe it is essential to have. Without it the build is too long for a strat that is designed to help you asap.
btw i'd love to see any feedback or ideas about this wonder
