How do resources work?

[ThreeToe]

I've been playing cince the stone ages, so i feel kinda dumb for asking- but--

How do resources work? If you have say: 3 gold- are the other two completely useless except for trade or something? Do more that two pigs make your people happier than if they had one?

Also, Alexander has killed me in the last 3 out of 4 games- please conquer him for me!

 

[King of Town]

yes only your first resource does anything for you. The rest are good for trade. If you are playing bts they are also good for corporations too. Alex sucks, take him out as soon as you see him.

 

[6K Man]

Surplus resources can be traded for ones you don't have. They can also be traded for cash, which can really add up in the late game.

Word of warning: be careful when trading "strategic" resources (Horses, Copper, Iron, Elephants, Coal, Oil, Aluminum, Uranium) - you may be giving a potential enemy just what it needs to take you down. And just try trading for, say, Horses with an AI - they'll demand 2 or more happiness resources, if they're willing to trade at all.

My rule of thumb - I always trade surplus Health Resources to almost anyone. Health resources seem to be less key (for the AI) than Happiness resources, and trading them not only gets me a resource or cash back, it also helps with relations. I'll trade happiness resources to my allies. I seldom if ever trade strategic resources - unless I'm getting one back.