I really like captured workers. Under republic, each unit usually costs me 2gpt, so for each native worker less that I can manage with, that is 2gpt that slaves have saved me. Well worth it.
Another use of workers, though it is a bit of an exploit, is to use them as "bait" for the attacking AI force. Put them just far enough into your terretory that the AI cannot reach them in one turn, near low defence terain (plain/grassland etc.) and the AI will ignore your cities and leave thenmselves open to your counterattack in the open.
Another use of workers, though it is a bit of an exploit, is to use them as "bait" for the attacking AI force. Put them just far enough into your terretory that the AI cannot reach them in one turn, near low defence terain (plain/grassland etc.) and the AI will ignore your cities and leave thenmselves open to your counterattack in the open.
Only if you are industrious (otherwise it is 2 slaves = 1 real worker).
This is the stage of the game when workers get really useful when you are making war. You HAVE to be able to follow up you armies with a worker stack to make sure you have railways to the front the same turn you attack. This can involve a large stack of workers if you are advancing fast. The only time I would disband a work is to get the first shield so rushing is not twice as expensive.
