allan
Cabrón
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention roads.... Aside from easier mobility, roads also add trade arrows to flatlands (grassland, plains, deserts--but NOT tundra)--two in democracy or republic, one in every other type of gov't. When I found the city that will build the colossus (and become my SSC), the first thing I do is devote a settler to building roads all around it--since the colossus will only add a trade arrow to a square that already has at least one arrow (and normal flatlands will not have any arrows until you put a road there). I also pretty much follow the ICS strategy somewhat, except that I have my settlers build roads on the way to the cities they'll found. That way, I have a road network for mobility, plus some initial trade arrows for my new city (it's good to start making money as early as you can...). The only time I don't build roads before founding a city is if I want to hurry up and put a city on a chokepoint or other strategic or valuable (lots of trade specials) site, but a road will go to it very soon afterwards.... But definitely, when you can spare some settlers, build roads in every flatland square in your city radii--do this before you start irrigating as a matter of fact. This will boost early trade, and make your marketplaces make a profit for your treasury, science, AND luxuries (although I do 0% luxury until republic).
Also, as someone else mentioned, roads between cities on a trade route increase the value of that route, provided they take a direct path. I haven't figured out what constitutes "direct" exactly though--if the two cities are on the opposite ends of one of those S-shaped continents the map generator is famous for, will the computer consider the resulting, necessary S-shaped route direct under the circumstances (anyone?)? Not that I worry about it TOO much, just getting the route established is 90% of the battle, it will get big regardless IF those cities get big (and of course they will <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/smile.gif" border=0>).
[This message has been edited by allan (edited August 30, 2001).]
Also, as someone else mentioned, roads between cities on a trade route increase the value of that route, provided they take a direct path. I haven't figured out what constitutes "direct" exactly though--if the two cities are on the opposite ends of one of those S-shaped continents the map generator is famous for, will the computer consider the resulting, necessary S-shaped route direct under the circumstances (anyone?)? Not that I worry about it TOO much, just getting the route established is 90% of the battle, it will get big regardless IF those cities get big (and of course they will <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/smile.gif" border=0>).
[This message has been edited by allan (edited August 30, 2001).]
