Quick Answers / 'Newbie' Questions

[Dubzilla8]

Okay, thought Id throw out yet another question (which has probably been asked 15 times in the 162 pages! of this thread). I was simply curious whether people run straight for high tech research, then trade it off to the other civs for cheaper traits that were missed on the way? I find myself always researching the cheaper, faster techs, then I fall way behind in the tech race (Prince difficulty). Along with this, I was wondering why people shoot straight for Code of Laws or Civil Service? Civil Service makes some sense to me, but Im not so sure about CoL.

For example, in one of my games with Roosevelt, I am on a fairly large island with Victoria in roughly 500 AD. I have 6 cities which I think are decently placed, 2 are good for production, my capital and another are good for research. I also picked up Stonehenge, Pyramids, and Oracle. Im actually ahead of Vicky (even though I understand points dont mean much) but Im betting Im WAY behind all the other civs which I havent met yet. Obviously I couldnt have used this bee-line and trade strategy without knowing anyone, but it still seemed like a useful example.

Thanks in advance, and special thanks to a4Phantom who I believe has already greatly improved my city placement.

 

[Samson]

Okay, thought Id throw out yet another question (which has probably been asked 15 times in the 162 pages! of this thread). I was simply curious whether people run straight for high tech research, then trade it off to the other civs for cheaper traits that were missed on the way? I find myself always researching the cheaper, faster techs, then I fall way behind in the tech race (Prince difficulty).

Once I get alphabet, and if I have a few civs around that I am likely to be able to trade with I will go for the high value techs. If you reaserch a lower value tech, you are not likely to be able to swop it for any other tech, as they are going to cost more. If you reaserch the highest value tech available, then you may get all the other techs for this one (one or 2 from each civ).

Along with this, I was wondering why people shoot straight for Code of Laws or Civil Service? Civil Service makes some sense to me, but Im not so sure about CoL.

A) CoL is one of the most important techs. It allows you to build courthouses, halving your maintainance cost and allowing a bigger empire.
B) You need CoL for CS
C) CS is the highest value tech that yuo are likely to be able to reaserch early in the game. If you get this with the oricale or a great prophit you get the best return in terms of beakers.

I hope this helps, ask again if you need clarification.

 

[MrCynical]

Whoah... 80 food per turn... is that even possible in a regular game?

It's not that hard actually. A city with all grassland could get 82 once biology is invented. With floodplain and bonus food resources you could get even higher.

 

[Matty R]

Whoah... 80 food per turn... is that even possible in a regular game?

In any event... yes, you can theoretically increase that city's size to 40. However, you will have to overcome a LOT of health problems before you will even be able to get close to that target. (You'll need a minimum of 40 health, and probably more to compensate for improvements like Forge, Factory, Airport, Power Plant, etc.)

Oh good. Thanks. I'm already at 38 and I'm okay for health. Floodplains only contribute 2 sickness, I'm using that enviromentalism civic to give me an extra 6 health and the city has a hospital and recycling centre, so theres 3 more health added and all of the sickness from buildings removed.

Theres quite a few resources within the citie's fat cross. I've got a couple of livestock tiles and a couple of crop tiles, which just so happen to be on floodplains.

And I've put a few great merchants in there. They add +1 food for each one thats integrated.

 

[a4phantom]

Oh good. Thanks. I'm already at 38 and I'm okay for health. Floodplains only contribute 2 sickness, I'm using that enviromentalism civic to give me an extra 6 health and the city has a hospital and recycling centre, so theres 3 more health added and all of the sickness from buildings removed.

Good job. The biggest city I've ever had was Athens on floodplains, which I conquered at 32 and which got up to about 36 after I discovered biology. I had a terrible time keeping it healthy, but I've never run enviro because I always deforest the planet and love state property. Seriously, I've declared war and razed cities just to get my hands on on those trees, never mind the distance penalty.

 

[a4phantom]

Okay, thought Id throw out yet another question (which has probably been asked 15 times in the 162 pages! of this thread). I was simply curious whether people run straight for high tech research, then trade it off to the other civs for cheaper traits that were missed on the way? I find myself always researching the cheaper, faster techs, then I fall way behind in the tech race (Prince difficulty). Along with this, I was wondering why people shoot straight for Code of Laws or Civil Service? Civil Service makes some sense to me, but Im not so sure about CoL.

I've questioned this myself, and usually use Oracle to get Metal Casting instead (it costs more and provides forges -> great engineers). However, there is nearly a consensus among the top players who contribute here that Code of Laws is one of the most crucial early techs. In addition to Samson's list, remember that it also founds Confucism. As to the larger point, I say research the big military techs and beat the small nonmilitary ones out of your neighbors.

Thanks in advance, and special thanks to a4Phantom who I believe has already greatly improved my city placement.

That's very nice of you. I've benefited immensely from the advice of the more advanced players here, and I'm glad I could pass some help on. This game is so complicated that it requires a collaborative research project. Bonus hint for flattery: If you build your city on a plains (brown) hill, you get +1 hammer. I think that's the only normal terrain that gives you bonus for building on it. Of course any hill gives you +25% defense, and your archer defenders get an additional +50% for defending a hill, plus +25% for defending a city.

 

[Matty R]

Good job. The biggest city I've ever had was Athens on floodplains, which I conquered at 32 and which got up to about 36 after I discovered biology. I had a terrible time keeping it healthy, but I've never run enviro because I always deforest the planet and love state property. Seriously, I've declared war and razed cities just to get my hands on on those trees, never mind the distance penalty.

Thanks mate. I've another 8 cities at 30 each, but some can reach 35. I'm just getting everything to the same point so I can keep track more easily. Once my capital reaches 40, I'm going to increase the other cities to their maximums one at a time.

Actually, this leads me onto something else. If I build a workshop on grassland (turning it from providing 2 food to 1 food and 3 production) can I build a farm over it to give me 3 food (2 food from the grassland and 1 from the farm)? Or will it remain at 1 food because of the workshop and then add 1 food for the farm?

 

[Samson]

Thanks mate. I've another 8 cities at 30 each, but some can reach 35. I'm just getting everything to the same point so I can keep track more easily. Once my capital reaches 40, I'm going to increase the other cities to their maximums one at a time.

Actually, this leads me onto something else. If I build a workshop on grassland (turning it from providing 2 food to 1 food and 3 production) can I build a farm over it to give me 3 food (2 food from the grassland and 1 from the farm)? Or will it remain at 1 food because of the workshop and then add 1 food for the farm?

You can only have 1 improvement on a tile at one time. If you build a farm on a tile where there is already a workshop the workshop if destoyed.

I have to ask, what is your goal in the game you are talking about? Is it just to get big cities, or are you still trying to win?

 

[Matty R]

You can only have 1 improvement on a tile at one time. If you build a farm on a tile where there is already a workshop the workshop if destoyed.

I have to ask, what is your goal in the game you are talking about? Is it just to get big cities, or are you still trying to win?

I know I can only have one improvement on a tile, but I was wondering if the food/production/commerce is permanently changed once an improvement is built on it.

I'm playing a custom game with the only victory being conquest. I founded Buddhism, adopted it as my religion then built the shrine. 8 of the 10 other civilizations are Buddhist aswell, and they're all on friendly or pleased terms. Because of that, if either of the other 2 civs declare war I'll get my allies to declare war on them. I've got enough military units to hold my ground, so for now I'm just building forts and getting my cities as big as possible. Once done, I'll get my military built up and go on the rampage.

 

[a4phantom]

Just make sure you have enough improvements, the right civics, etc. to let all that excess population that can't work the land be turned into specialists, otherwise you'll wind up with a bunch of dopey 'citizens'.

 

[Matty R]

Just make sure you have enough improvements, the right civics, etc. to let all that excess population that can't work the land be turned into specialists, otherwise you'll wind up with a bunch of dopey 'citizens'.

I'm asking because I've built all buildings in all cities, and all of the wonders and epics are built. I've got 8 of my cities working on culture and the 9th working on my naval fleet. That 9th city is my production city. I can build modern armour and battleships in 1 turn. Seeing as theres no more building to do, I was going to remove workshops and towns that don't bring in much food and replace them with farms. I don't need the money because my capital makes a fortune as it is, and that can't increase any more above 40 because of the health requirements.

 

[a4phantom]

I'm asking because I've built all buildings in all cities, and all of the wonders and epics are built. I've got 8 of my cities working on culture and the 9th working on my naval fleet. That 9th city is my production city. I can build modern armour and battleships in 1 turn. Seeing as theres no more building to do, I was going to remove workshops and towns that don't bring in much food and replace them with farms. I don't need the money because my capital makes a fortune as it is, and that can't increase any more above 40 because of the health requirements.

It would seem that you're ready to go up a level. Why so many building culture? Unless you're trying to push borders out, only your top three cities' cultures matter for the victory condition.

 

[Matty R]

It would seem that you're ready to go up a level. Why so many building culture? Unless you're trying to push borders out, only your top three cities' cultures matter for the victory condition.

I don't have the cultural victory on. Its a custom game and I've only got the conquest victory active. I'm just trying push all the borders out. Then I'll concentrate on future techs for a while to take my cities to the absolute maximum.

I sorted out that other thing I was on about. I've got a city producing over 100 food now.

 

[a4phantom]

So you're just seeing how cool your cities can get. Fair enough.

 

[Matty R]

So you're just seeing how cool your cities can get. Fair enough.

I'm doing that for now. But once the maximums are reached I'll finish building my military and then go for the conquest victory.

 

[Gherald]

I'm doing that for now. But once the maximums are reached I'll finish building my military and then go for the conquest victory.

Fun fun fun!

 

[Matty R]

Fun fun fun!

Erm, yep.

 

[Dagenham Dave]

I was thinking about nuclear plants... I usually build one or two just to tempt fate. But exactly how small is that 'small chance' of a meltdown?

bump (10!)

 

[frankcor]

I've had one melt down on me but I can't tell you what the numeric odds are. I usually try to build Three Gorges Dam so I haven't built many nuke plants.

 

[Raisin Bran]

It must be in the XML's somewhere.

Civ_Assets maybe ?

Edit : I might be soooooooooo wrong I don't really know ... but I know you will find your answers in the XML.

someone did a post a few months ago with the percentages of what happenes when you pop a goody hut. I don't remember if he stated the % chances of a meltdown