How can you trust those "blue circles"?

[gettingfat]

I never understand why in BtS those blue circles are so strangely located. In this start the computer recommended me to move one tile south. It's fortunate my scout just went north and saw two clams. I later realized if I settled as the computer suggested I essentially would trade two clams, one coastal tile and one grassland forest for two plains, one grassland and a flood plain. This is not a good trade at all. IMHO. If this is how the AIs leader choose their city spots I'd be laughing out loud.

 

[Duraska]

Do blue circles take hidden resources into consideration? I think they used to (Vanilla), but I also seem to remember that changing in a patch.

 

[SamuraisWisdom]

I'm pretty sure they consider hidden resources still, otherwise you're right, half those locations wouldn't make sense whatsoever. I tend to trust the circles, though sometimes I think I see a better spot and got with it

 

[gettingfat]

Do blue circles take hidden resources into consideration? I think they used to (Vanilla), but I also seem to remember that changing in a patch.

Later when I turned on the world builder I saw an oil in one of those two plain tiles down south, so does it mean the computer can see some "hidden resources"?? I was told by some posts it can't

 

[Scaramanga]

I usually go for the blue circles. If I don't, I'll be regretting my placement by the time I get iron working or steam power.

 

[r_rolo1]

Later when I turned on the world builder I saw an oil in one of those two plain tiles down south, so does it mean the computer can see some "hidden resources"?? I was told by some posts it can't

It was made a test in warlords 2.08 that indicated that blue circles didn't took in account unknowed resourses ( the ones that you don't have the tech to see ), but they took in account known resources that were in fog ( still in the black ). Don't know if that applies to BtS ( no test was made so far AFAIK )

The test was quite simple: go to WB, prepare a uniform landscape ( grassland would be fine ), place resources just outside of the settler BFC and play. Notice if there is a shift of the blue circle.

 

[gettingfat]

It was made a test in warlords 2.08 that indicated that blue circles didn't took in account unknowed resourses ( the ones that you don't have the tech to see ), but they took in account known resources that were in fog ( still in the black ). Don't know if that applies to BtS ( no test was made so far AFAIK )

The test was quite simple: go to WB, prepare a uniform landscape ( grassland would be fine ), place resources just outside of the settler BFC and play. Notice if there is a shift of the blue circle.

I just did a series of experiments with world builder to test out different possibilities as per your suggestion:

case 1: take out the oil hidden in the south, and add an oil to the forest tile in the north
result: circle stays there
conclusion: the computer can't see the hidden oil resource.

case 2: remove the goodie hut
result: circle stays there
conclusion: goodie hut not that important

case 3: change the two clams in the north to one fish and one crab
result: circle stays there
conclusion: variety of resources not that important

case 4: switch the three plain tiles in the south to desert

conclusion: desert tiles are more valuable than seafood resources according to the AI!!!!

case 5: switch the two clams into grasslands

result: circle moves to the north!!!!
conclusion: non-river grassland tiles are more valuable than seafood resources.

Final conclusion: Don't trust the blue circle when it's near the coast. The computer seriously underestimates the value of coastal tiles. FYI, I was playing BtS patch 3.13

 

[FlatFeet]

Complete side note: that starting spot is freaking awesome. 4 food resources, gold, 2 flood plains, 2 grassland hills, on a river, on the ocean.

 

[HiroHito]

dont trust the blue circles, go by your flair and everything should be alright.

even if it took in account strategic ressources, no way I'm gonna wait for oil/alu uranium to make it worth it.

 

[gettingfat]

Complete side note: that starting spot is freaking awesome. 4 food resources, gold, 2 flood plains, 2 grassland hills, on a river, on the ocean.

True, I'm going to play the game tomorrow. Too bad I drew Montsy (I pick random leader), this will be perfect for Liz (a greedy )