Does irrigation DO anything?

[The Third Pig]

I have two identical grasslands--both are non-shielded, both have roads. If I irrigate one, and leave the other one alone, they wind up producing exactly the same thing as if I didn't irrigate at all. At least according to the city management screen.

I am in despotism when I noticed this so I haven't tried any other governments yet. Is this a bug? Is it normal? Am I missing something?

 

[GerrardCapashen]

In despotism, tiles that produce more than 2 food or shields have their output of that type reduced by 1. When in despotism, never irrigate grasslands; only mine them. Read the strategy articles and check the Newbie Questions thread; they will help you improve your game a lot and answer many of your questions.

 

[cromagnon]

That's despotism. You get more food in the other govs.

 

[Zouave]

Originally posted by cromagnon
That's despotism. You get more food in the other govs.

I assume a lot of people irrigate grassland during despotism in expectation of switching over to Monarchy ASAP. That seems more logical than mining grassland and than having to irrigate the mined grassland.

I would think it would slow production somewhat during despotism, but jump start you when you hit Monarchy or Republic.

Not so?

 

[Sayounara]

Irrigation is completely useless on grasslands (despostism and anarchy conditions), irrigating plains would still be nice though. Might as just build roads and mines.

Read your guidebook!

 

[Chieftess]

That's why you shouldn't irragate grasslands during despotism. Despotism subtracts 1 food per any food above 3 (I think).

 

[Grey Fox]

@Zouave - I agree, but in that case only irrigate tiles you have no use for yet.

 

[Grey Fox]

Originally posted by Chieftess
That's why you shouldn't irragate grasslands during despotism. Despotism subtracts 1 food per any food above 3 (I think).

It subtracts 1 food per any food above 2. So a irrigate grassland tile in despotism gets 2 +1(for the irrigation) -1(because you are in a despotism)

 

[sumthinelse]

Originally posted by Sayounara
Irrigation is completely useless on grasslands (despostism and anarchy conditions), irrigating plains would still be nice though. Might as just build roads and mines.

Read your guidebook!

Not quite true. Under despotism if the grassland has wheat, wine, or a cow on it you can irrigate and get one more food (and if you switch to monarchy later it will increase by one more food). For example, under despotism grassland+wheat would normally get 4 without irrigation, but you get only 3 with despotism. Irrigation makes it 4, and then irrigation+monarchy gives you 5 food.

Your statement is true for grassland without a food resource.

 

[TheNiceOne]

Originally posted by Zouave
I assume a lot of people irrigate grassland during despotism in expectation of switching over to Monarchy ASAP. That seems more logical than mining grassland and than having to irrigate the mined grassland.

I would think it would slow production somewhat during despotism, but jump start you when you hit Monarchy or Republic.

Not so?

This is a good idea if the workers don't have more important jobs to do. Irrigate a few of the squares the city don't work on yet (since you will probably have mined those it works on), and then start working on these as soon you hit Monarchy/Republic.

This assumes that fast growth is more important that fast production in Monarchy/Republic though. If not, you will probably stick to the mined grasslands.

 

[DaDrunkenFish]

this is wierd, a flood plain provied 1 food, I irrigate and it produces 4!!!!!
The same is with mountians...