Slater Mill

[Mad Madigan]

I think it's fine as-is, but giving it a small instant bonus of science or production would be nice. The main reason I build it, if at all, is for the free factory 1-2 techs earlier or if I find that RNJesus cursed me with little to no coal within my borders by that point. I play Communitas mostly, and if you don't use the Strategic Balance resource setting the strategic resources can be wildly spread across the map sometimes. For example, in my most recent game as Portugal, even with a moderately large 12-city empire I only ended up with 2 iron deposits within my borders for a total of 9 iron. I then had to import the rest or get it from CSs. I've had games where I unlock Steam Power and discover I only have a little bit of coal available to mine, and so grabbing the Slater Mill is essentially 3 factories worth of coal (the free one with the Wonder and then 2 more).

 

[Stalker0]

It’s not a top list wonder for me, but it’s not an F.

It’s niche but has it’s uses

 

[ElliotS]

I mean it's probably a low C. I think a small buff would be fine, just not much needed. Maybe +100% production of seaport, train station, bank and one or two other buildings in the city Slater Mill is built. Fits the theme of kicking off the building of industry.

 

[RAuer2]

I value the Slater Mill partly for the free coal and partly for the early factory. I think it is worth noting that how early the factory is depends on how one enters the era, so it could be one tech early or it could be more. Overall I think it is a good wonder.

For the production boost, a missing feature would be cool since it would add a boon to the wonder, though the text description could be out of date depending on how the wonder has changed through the versions. I have not been with VP long enough to remember how the Slater Mill has evolved. Anyone else?

 

[chicorbeef]

So would you guys be okay with a limited buff? Should the factory stay or go? Or should it stay the way it is?

 

[Paramecium]

The Slater Mill is mostly important for small, tall empires. You have less chance to get a big amount of coal and you want to have your factory anyways in most cases in your capital and you get it early, pushing your production in your ww building city further. And if you have an empire with just 4 to 5 cities and you might only get access to a very limited amount of coal, it is very valuable. And dont forget, you can sell exess amounts for money with the AI.

 

[Stalker0]

So would you guys be okay with a limited buff? Should the factory stay or go? Or should it stay the way it is?

There are times when I build the Slater Mill, and don't feel bad doing so. That isn't really an "F" type building to me, so I'll say I don't think it needs any changes.

 

[Workerspam]

I think Slater Mill is fine and build it every chance I get. The early free factory is nice but the coal is the primary draw for me. I think I've had one game lately where I felt I had more coal than I needed.

If the coal was bumped to 4 I wouldn't complain.

 

[De_Genius]

If this was a national wonder, which it should probably be renamed then, then I would be fine with it.
My biggest problem with it is that it increases the cost of later more useful wonders, while not being top tier itself.

 

[CrazyG]

I wish it didn't need to be on a river. I feel like this hurts its purpose because it is already fairly niche

 

[Deadstarre]

I wish it didn't need to be on a river. I feel like this hurts its purpose because it is already fairly niche

"Slater was hired... to produce a working set of machines necessary to spin cotton yarn using water power. Construction of the machines was completed in 1793, as well as a dam, waterway, waterwheel, and mill."

We call that flavor =)

 

[chicorbeef]

"Slater was hired... to produce a working set of machines necessary to spin cotton yarn using water power. Construction of the machines was completed in 1793, as well as a dam, waterway, waterwheel, and mill."

We call that flavor =)

Maybe so, but balance > flavour at the end of the day and there's no reason why it should be restricted to rivers. I see no reason why the river requirement should stay.

 

[LukaSlovenia29]

I'd be in favour of bumping the free coal to 4 copies and removing the river requirement.

 

[bigcat88]

I'd be in favour of bumping the free coal to 4 copies and removing the river requirement.

on both sides of the Blackstone River, a dam on the river, two historic mills (the Slater Mill and Wilkinson Mill)

 

[Deadstarre]

on both sides of the Blackstone River, a dam on the river, two historic mills (the Slater Mill and Wilkinson Mill)

Wilkinson gets no respect. anyway, apparently children were hired to operate the mill. Maybe we could have a requirement 'can't be built in a city without a Chuck E' Cheese franchise'. Just spitballing here

 

[pza]

on both sides of the Blackstone River, a dam on the river, two historic mills (the Slater Mill and Wilkinson Mill)

Spoiler :

so... the pyramids should also require a river?

 

[Gazebo]

I wish it didn't need to be on a river. I feel like this hurts its purpose because it is already fairly niche

Welcome back. The river is kinda what makes slater mill a mill. Come to RI and I’ll show you!

G