Economy Help

[Lasitus]

I have started a game on the lowest level and havn't had problems expanding, finding resources, but as the game goes on, it seems I am spending more than I make. I have to keep putting the science gets lower and lower. I don't have that big of an army, I only have 1 army of horsemen and have won a war with them and some catapults. I now own most of North America in the huge world map, but still, my economy keeps dieing. I can only put science so low before I am overtaken or even go bankrupt. How do I make more money? I have looked at tax collectors, but they only get like 1 per persion. I put most of my guys on science, but then they only get 1 science. Is it better to make more money and raise science funding? Still though, after changing all my science to tax collecting I am only at 20% science funding and getting more negative every turn. Building maintenance seems to be the killer. Can't I build every building in every city? Shouldn't the good effects outwiegh the maintenance?

 

[terrylo]

Every building has a cost and a benefit. You just have to figure out if the benefit of having that particular building in that particular city is worth the cost. I am pretty stingy in putting buildings in my cities. I find that the buildings with higher maintenance costs are just not worth putting in my smaller cities.

 

[ironfang]

Lasitus, here are a few suggestions to build your economy.

1.) Until a city reaches size 4, only build temples, and/or granaries.
2.) Make sure you have a ROAD leading to every place you have your workers producing food/shields.
3.) Once you reach size 6+ build a market place. If you followed number 2, then this will provide that city with at least 9 gold pieces per turn.
4.) If you want additional gold, build small cities near "gold" tiles and have their single population person mine that gold. Dont worry about that town expanding.
5.) Once you get more than ten cities, or if you plan on going to war, switch to monarchy. Your military support ratio will also increase, thus you pay less for your military.

I hope this helps

ironfang

 

[Lasitus]

Thanks for the help. I noticed that the computer built roads EVERYWHERE. Though this looked cheesy; it really helps, as each place with a road gets one more gold. So, after building roads all over, instead of just between my cities, I managed to get a very possative economy. One thing that help out the most was the wonder that takes away the maintenance cost of money related buildings. I think it was called the Smith something trading company.

I will try your suggestions as well and maybe I can get ahead in tech in levels that are above Chieftain.

I am now currently running at 30+ a turn with science at 60% (was at 10% with like +2.) I have stuck with Monarchy, because every time I go to war, my cities get burned to the ground! Though the corruption kills, I like to be able to build stuff when I am at war, plus the added troop funding helps during peace time, since I keep my cities defended just in case someone decides to attack.