Comprehensive UB Guide

[real_jobe]

The series about Unique Buildings at fastmoves entitled "Good UB - Bad UB" is now complete


#1 Research Institute, Terrace
#2 Salon, Hippodrome
#3 Mint, Ger
#4 Forum, Baray
#5 Pavilion, Stele, Rathaus, Ikhanda
#6 Assembly Plant, Mausoleum, Hammam, Ball Court
#7 Obelisk, Odeon
#8 Dun, Citadel, Totem Pole
#9 Apothecary, Garden, Dike
#10 Cothon, Trading Post, Feitoria
#11 Madrassa, Sacrificial Altar, Stock Exchange, Seowon, Mall, Ziggurat

 

[WilliamOfOrange]

Some interesting stuff there. I never really play multi-player and didn't even consider it when I wrote this article up. Perhaps this will come in handy in the summer when I meet some friends for LAN parties.

 

[Bruindane]

I believe the key use of the Ethiopian Stele is in the early rex. Your new cities get secondary border expansions claiming unsettled land extremely quickly (27 turns), that might otherwise be settled by time those expansions normally occur (50/100 turns).

Obviously powerful for tile culture flipping, but preventing those cities from being built in the first place is its true power. As Astronomy approaches you bring out the UU to claim new territory.

 

[ReyLuis]

Genuinely shocked at the lack of love for the Ziggurat - courthouse at Priesthood and at HALF the hammers? Fantastic building - I'm usually very efficient at expansion but with the Zigs it's mental. REX like a mofo

Best UB in my opinion. Serious.

I play random civ and leader (unrestricted) at Emperor and I usually pray that I'm Sumer just for the Zigs - and if I happen to be super lucky and get the Sumer/Julius Caesar combo then......

 

[Ataxerxes]

Genuinely shocked at the lack of love for the Ziggurat - courthouse at Priesthood and at HALF the hammers? Fantastic building - I'm usually very efficient at expansion but with the Zigs it's mental. REX like a mofo

Best UB in my opinion. Serious.

I play random civ and leader (unrestricted) at Emperor and I usually pray that I'm Sumer just for the Zigs - and if I happen to be super lucky and get the Sumer/Julius Caesar combo then......

I don't think that's the majority opinion. Most players like the Ziggurat a lot; I do myself. I can't agree that it's the best UB, however. In a poll the HRE Rathaus was considered the best courthouse improvement, but the Ziggurat is a very strong UB. Definitely top 10.

Sumeria has a strong start that has to be utilized to get the lead early. Creative is strong early and weak late. I just wish I had another trait besides Protective. Oh, well, we can't be HC.

On unrestricted leaders, anybody of Sumeria is going to be good. One of the few leaders with a good UB and UU. Also, even with unrestricted, AI Gilgamesh is pretty good.

 

[ReyLuis]

I don't think that's the majority opinion. Most players like the Ziggurat a lot; I do myself. I can't agree that it's the best UB, however. In a poll the HRE Rathaus was considered the best courthouse improvement, but the Ziggurat is a very strong UB. Definitely top 10.

Sumeria has a strong start that has to be utilized to get the lead early. Creative is strong early and weak late. I just wish I had another trait besides Protective. Oh, well, we can't be HC.

On unrestricted leaders, anybody of Sumeria is going to be good. One of the few leaders with a good UB and UU. Also, even with unrestricted, AI Gilgamesh is pretty good.

Yeah, the Rathaus is awesome - more expensive hammers-wise than standard Courthouse being the obvious drawback. 75% reduction in city maintenance is certainly NOT to be sniffed at!!! For me though, the hammers cost and early availability of Zigs is crazy

I agree about needing to take advantage of Sumer in the early game - Vulture rushing is also a hobby of mine

 

[Ghpstage]

Yeah, the Rathaus is awesome - more expensive hammers-wise than standard Courthouse being the obvious drawback.

Genuinely shocked at the lack of love for the Ziggurat - courthouse at Priesthood and at HALF the hammers?

Are you playing some kind of mod?
In standard BTS the Rathaus costs the same as a standard Courthouse, and the Zig knocks only 25% off the cost not half, which is the same cost as the Sac Altar.

The Zig is good, but theres a number of better UBs in my opinion.