Specialists

[hai 1]

What is the generally accepted best way of utilizing specialists? This is by far the weakest part of my game, as I am not yet sure how to balance the opportunity costs of sacrificing food for them, particularly in expansion cities. It seems weird to me that GPP don't go toward an empire-wide pool, but to cities individually. So, for example, it seems pointless to run specialists in cities acquired later in the game. Other than that, I am looking for tips like:
"Ignore great merchant specialists"
"Hold off on specialists until a city gets to X population, so as not to stunt growth"
"Secularism=OP"
Etc.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Silverman6083]

Off the top of my head:
Make sure you are on manual specialists so your governor doesn't coose any stupid specialists, which brings me to my next point:
No merchant specialists, they are a huge detriment to your GS production, also only set 1 or maybe 2 cities for having Engineer specialists, as a wonder is generally not worth 8+ Science for the rest of the game
You want to start working scientists in cities with 6+ as soon as possible for max science & GS output
Also, I agree it is silly that each city has it's own counter, but still requires x amount based on an empire-wide production scale, but make sure you slightly stagger specialists so Gxs aren't ever produced on the same turn, cause that has really nasty results production-wise

 

[joncnunn]

Always manual, an in addition:

1. Always run every scientist possible (science is king)

2. Since you wouldn't have built the guild yet if you weren't going to run them, that is actually in the same category. (If food is a problem, just add a food cargo ship)

3. Engineer slots only if there is no tile better to work.

4. And never fill a merchant slot unless playing Venice unless there is no risk of actually spawning a Great Merchant.