Economy Civics, Which do you use?

[ThorHammerz]

Hey all,

Mercantilism
Free Market
State Property
Environmentalism


Which one do you use, or just enjoy the most? Also, what play-styles/map sizes/settings/version-of-game/mods are you using?

I personally use Free Market a lot due to Corporations + 'growing tall'-empire (will usually stop keeping new conquests and just slash-and-burn new acquisitions after a certain threshold, so SP isn't really that useful for me).

 

[AW Arcaeca]

Usually go Free Market until Environmentalism becomes available. I don't know, maybe that's the wrong decision. But I voted Environmentalism.

 

[fed1943]

Free Market or State Property, it depends.
But, if the point is to like, then Free Market.

 

[nate45]

I usually play pangaea, so who needs trade routes. Mercantalism ftw.

 

[TheMulattoMaker]

I love Corps, so FM

 

[blitzkrieg1980]

Free market... Not just for corps but also for the wonderful extra trade routes when I'm playing for peaceful victory. I almost voted SP but I find myself enjoying the idea of small empire with lots of vassals to be really fun lately

 

[Quintillus]

Where's the Decentralization option?

It probably is the one that I use the most. Largely because it's available earlier, but also because it's inexpensive. Merchantilism and Free Market don't always seem worth it considering the anarchy required to switch and the higher maintenance. I rarely research specifically towards unlocking economy techs, either. So it's not uncommon for me to be in Decentralization for a good part of the game. I usually will switch to something eventually - probably State Property the most because I like large empires, with Free Market second and then Merchantilism, but Decentralization is a nice mainstay, and probably the start-of-game civic I stick with the most.

 

[elmurcis]

I understand why many likes SP but I usually stay with FM until the very end.. With US + Kremlin I can build units quickly where I need when I need using all empire money.. and with FM (+some corps) I can have lot of money
SP if target is Space Race and competition is very hard..

 

[Lennier]

Marathon/Huge/Emperor, usually some form of continents. Usually go for dom/conquest.

I very rarely use Mercantilism. I find that the extra specialists don't make up for the loss of trade routes, even when I'm in representation.

I do switch to FM at the earliest opportunity, only delaying if I'm not spiritual and I have a GA coming soon. The extra maintenance and anarchy are well worth the extra trade routes.

SP is probably the most powerful. I'll only stay in FM if the stars have aligned and I will run corps. Distance and colonial maintenance add up quickly in domination/ conquest games and SP puts an end to that.

 

[ThorHammerz]

Where's the Decentralization option?

It probably is the one that I use the most. Largely because it's available earlier, but also because it's inexpensive. Merchantilism and Free Market don't always seem worth it considering the anarchy required to switch and the higher maintenance. I rarely research specifically towards unlocking economy techs, either. So it's not uncommon for me to be in Decentralization for a good part of the game. I usually will switch to something eventually - probably State Property the most because I like large empires, with Free Market second and then Merchantilism, but Decentralization is a nice mainstay, and probably the start-of-game civic I stick with the most.

Mmm, made the poll with the intent of "anything except for the default option of decentralization"

Since it's assumed that everyone is going to stay in Decentralization (not like you have a choice) until one of the options are unlocked fairly deep into the midgame anyways.

 

[blitzkrieg1980]

SP is probably the most powerful. I'll only stay in FM if the stars have aligned and I will run corps. Distance and colonial maintenance add up quickly in domination/ conquest games and SP puts an end to that.

Funny, when I go conquest, I usually achieve it thru taking vassals ASAP and, often, granting independence to any cities I do capture. It keeps my army rolling and gives the city free defenders. Since that creates a scenario with relatively little maintenance and lots of trade opportunities, I usually stay FM. But in my domination runs, I rarely stay in FM after the first intercontinental city is captured.

 

[lymond]

You can really never go wrong with State Property if your game goes that long, so I voted for it. Witht that said FM/Corps can be very powerful in the right situations, and FM is not a bad civic if you are ignoring Comm.

Except for Space games, where one or the other is vital, these are civics I often don't get to or may switch on the tail end of a game.

 

[Major Tom]

It depends but rarely mercantilism. Vaguely remember once for open borders with Tokugawa.

 

[Rusty Edge]

Free Market.
I describe my play style as "Trade Route Junkie", which basically means that my decisions are based upon trade routes. More of them and more from them.

 

[civfanchambers]

In most games I go with FM to maximize trade potential, but some games and or settings require a change in my play. Current game is a perfect example. Large fractal map, with a single landmass that wraps around the world like the seams on a baseball. I started isolated on the extreme left end and have been conquering eastward. With 15 civs to compete with my nation is lopsided, needing me to go with state property or relocate my capitol. State property is a much better choice in this situation.

 

[jackelgull]

I am surprised to see Free Market making such a strong showing. I was under the impression that most people thought that SP was the best.

 

[lymond]

I am surprised to see Free Market making such a strong showing. I was under the impression that most people thought that SP was the best.

Well, as I stated, you can never go wrong with SP, but FM is still very nice and corps are strong if you know how to leverage..although not best for every map.

 

[blitzkrieg1980]

I prefer FM when going conquest as I rarely keep the cities I conquer (preferring to grant independence and vassal the enemy AI). FM is strong for this kind of victory b/c you'll have tons of trading partners. Sometimes I don't even use corps (too late) and still stay in FM. SP is actually a bit weak when going about this kind of victory since the biggest bonus is nerfed and so the only real bonuses go to milled tile improvements.

Usually go Free Market until Environmentalism becomes available. I don't know, maybe that's the wrong decision. But I voted Environmentalism.

AgressiveWimp, may I ask why you voted Environmentalism? Do you traditionally play for diplomatic victory? (higher higher higher pop)

 

[ThorHammerz]

Sometimes I switch to Environmentalism just to see how high I can get the "Life Expectancy" in the empire

 

[rah]

Since I'm usually playing for dom or con and play with vassals off, SP is the only real option.