Do you get Rome with no iron?

[Anarchist]

I have just tried Rome in BNW, and the first 4 attempts gave me no iron at all, not even under CS control. Has anyone else had that, or are the dice just out to get me today?

 

[Jaybe]

I rarely get iron in Rome's influence. I generally find it and then acquire it with my 3rd city, sometimes it will be available with my 2nd. It's always been available somewhere on my continent.

I remember once (from a year or so ago) where I had to take a neighbor's city to get it 8 or 10 hexes from Rome.

 

[kb27787]

by the time you conquer your neighbors, you could've just teched to muskets
No need to reroll if you get a 5 salt start.
And no, legionaires aren't that strong (ballistae are OK) since steel is a cheap enough research for warmongers and comes immediately after iron working.

On the other hand, the gap between math and physics is long enough to make ballistae OK.
But anyway, toggle strategic balance on and you will have a much better chance of getting iron.

 

[Anarchist]

But anyway, toggle strategic balance on and you will have a much better chance of getting iron.

Good idea, thanks!