Noob question of Wonders

[splunge the 2nd]

Hi all, new to the forum.

In the various data sheets I've found, they mention civ abilities (ie scientific, milaristic, etc) for certain wonders. I didn't see this in the manual. Does this mean my precious Aztecs can't build the lighthouse? I'm playing unpatched civ iii, due to the #%^& no CD in drive bug.

 

[Aabraxan]

Welcome to CFC, splunge!

No, it doesn't mean that the Aztecs can't build the lighthouse. What I think you're referring to is which civ characteristics for which a given Wonder could trigger a Golden Age.

 

[Gamesmaster]

Any civ can build any wonder.

The civ abilities relating to a wonder mean that there is a chance of a civ of the appropriate type (i.e. scientific, industrious) gaining a golden age when that wonder is built.

For example if an Industrious civ builds the Hanging Gardens, there is a chance of a GA, if a non industrious civ builds it there is no chance.

 

[splunge the 2nd]

Thanks AAbraxan. Pardon my Noobitude, but what is the significance of a Golden Age? It was mentioned in some War College articles, and my Aztecs hit it earlier, but I didn't see it in the manual.

Thanks for the patience.

 

[Aabraxan]

A Golden Age is a period of increased shield and gold and (maybe) food production. (I'm not sure about the food). It can be triggered by building a wonder, as described by Gamesmaster. It can also be triggered by the first military victory against an AI (not against barbarians) by your civilization's Unique Unit (UU).

Edit: And don't worry about your "Noobitude." Every player had a first game at some point.

 

[splunge the 2nd]

Thanks Aabraxan and Gamesmaster!

 

[MAS]

Actually, a golden age is triggered when you own wonder(s) that cover both of your civ traits the check for this is done when you complete a wonder, not when you conquer one, though conquered wonders do count for the check itself.
You can trigger a GA with only one wonder, if that one wonder happens to have both of your civ traits.

It should be noted that the information about wonder traits in the civlopedia is incomplete, some wonders have more traits than stated.

There is no chance involved, if you know the traits of all wonders, you can determine with 100% certainty when it will trigger a golden age.

Winning one battle with your civ UU will also trigger it.

A golden age in Civ3 last 20 turns and you can only have one once per game.
It adds 1 shield to every tile that already has at least one shield to start with.
It adds 1 commerce to every tile that already has at least one commerce to start with.

It doesn't effect food, and it is still effected by both corruption and the despotism penalty. (many people will feel the GA is wasted if you have one before you get out of despotism)

 

[Desertsnow]

If I trigger a GA during despotism, sometimes I'll change my government during the GA. It's definitely a gambit, but I figure that the getting out of the Despotic penalty mitigates wasting two turns of a Golden Age.

Do the experts have any thoughts on this?

 

[gmaharriet]

I'm not an expert, but I would definitely revolt during a Golden Age if I were a Religious civ but not any other type and maybe not if I were in the middle of a war. You mentioned wasting 2 turns and I know you like to play Egypt. I play the Celts frequently with similar results, though I revolt beforehand if I possibly can manage it.

 

[Desertsnow]

I would not do this gambit if not playing a religious civ. I should have mentioned that. Yes, I play Egypt most often, but I do play Celts as well (I love their UU).

 

[AznWarlord]

Sorry but I gotta be noobish.

Do UU's put you in GA too (or researching the advancement needed for UU) or something like that, because it happened to me before.

 

[Aabraxan]

Yes. Your UU's first victory against an AI (non-barb) opponent will trigger your Golden Age if you haven't already had one.

Edit: Not sure what you mean by: (or researching the advancement needed for UU)

 

[jb1964]

Sorry but I gotta be noobish.

Do UU's put you in GA too (or researching the advancement needed for UU) or something like that, because it happened to me before.

The UU victory is the trigger. Researching the UU tech does nothing except, well, research.

Here's a thought on wonders... let your opponents build them for you. If the AI's are building wonders they're not building swords and horses. It's much easier to attack w/ a pile of swords, cats, archers and horses than it is to attack w/ the Pyramids. The Pyramids lack.... well.... everything. So keep checking in on your neighbors' progress and just tell 'em you're admiring the lawn. When the wonder is finished insist on keeping it safe for him/her.

 

[Sashie VII]

Here's a thought on wonders... let your opponents build them for you. If the AI's are building wonders they're not building swords and horses. It's much easier to attack w/ a pile of swords, cats, archers and horses than it is to attack w/ the Pyramids. The Pyramids lack.... well.... everything. So keep checking in on your neighbors' progress and just tell 'em you're admiring the lawn. When the wonder is finished insist on keeping it safe for him/her.

So true!

That's one of the ways I broke my wonder addiction, since at the end of it all I still get them nonetheless