IYO should windmills and watermills replace many mines/workshops?

[Leathaface]

When windmills and watermills are are utilized to the
max?

I watched a YouTube video and the gamer said windmills and watermills come into their own later on, that they are the best.

What do you guys think?

 

[TheWilltoAct]

Depends. State Property workshops are always in style.

Watermills are only available on flatland riverside, so they aren't really a replacement for mines. But nothing can really compete with them by the time all their bonuses become active.

Windmills are great for hilly food poor regions, or for running additional specialists off the extra food, even the commerce bonus alone could be enough.

Generally, any improvement that yields food will be highly desirable.

 

[jordiflor]

I seldom build watermills, mostly on ice/tundra rivers to feed crappy cities built there for some strategic reason. Riverside tiles are for cottaging/farming. Late in the game I won't destroy a town to build a watermill.
IMO State property is the best civic: with Caste system, grassland workshops yield an awesome 24 that convert any crappy city into a powerhouse. I always try to keep on Caste system not only because the specialists but because that +1 in workshops.
Regarding windmills, I prefer railroaded mines if there is enough food. Otherwise, put some windmills to balance the food outcome.

 

[AutomatedTeller]

I wouldn't destroy a town for a watermill - on the other hand, late in the game, I'd probably rather have a watermill than a cottage.

The ability to change tiles around in some cities is very important. The ability to know which cities should have their tiles changed around is priceless.

 

[plasmacannon]

AT put his finger on the issue.
Early on, one places cottages near rivers to tech faster.
The watermills, windmills and workshops are not very attractive when they first appear.

In newly conquered cities during the riflemen and beyond stage, it would take too long to develop those cottages for new cities.
Building watermills, windmills and workshops yeild an immediate benefit.

Also, I have built cities on plains/hills for their double production and hill defense, even though I didn't have plenty of food. Later, I add windmills to the surrounding hills to grow the city and gain a gold/turn from each.

I have played a lot of 'always war' and 'raging barbarians' games and plains/hills are your friend. Being able to utilize your archer's natural hill defense bonus, plus the hill itself, can save you when attacked in masse.