Starting Luxuries Tier List

[Gazebo]

I've got a question. I stopped coming to the forums for about 6 months. Is there still an intent to finalize the mod and go for gold? Because otherwise, it seems like changes then require further changes, etc. And some of these systems are pretty darn good. Monopolies seem mostly balance to me.

Some monopolies are strong early and very little use later. Others, the opposite. I'm currently playing an authority game with a faith monopoly, so I actually got a religion. The monopoly doesn't mean as much in the mid or late game, but that's fine. If it was at guilds, or maybe even classical, that's going to reduce the effectiveness of rushing that monopoly and force my game play. Why?

Yes. Just because I say something is possible doesn't mean it's going to happen, or that it's a permanent change. But I'd rather experiment and enjoy the process of creation than shut down discussion for the sake of gold. Because a 'gold' mod with flaws will just require patches.

G

 

[tothePAIN]

Is it possible to teach the AI to prioritize getting their monopoly instead of delaying the monopolies? I do enjoy the option of prioritizing the monopoly and would dislike a limitation.

 

[zeofig]

I like the idea of a tech unlock. It makes early game development more flexible, and makes later game more interesting.

 

[Kim Dong Un]

I like the idea of unlocking at currency, but Dan is right with his concern about the faith aspect.

 

[Gazebo]

Is it possible to teach the AI to prioritize getting their monopoly instead of delaying the monopolies? I do enjoy the option of prioritizing the monopoly and would dislike a limitation.

AI does focus on monopoly. But they'll never be as good as a human.

G

 

[CrazyG]

I'm worried that putting on currency or another specific tech may cause players to pursue similar tech paths each game.

EDIT EDIT: I agree with @tothePAIN, this is an unnecessary
complication to a system that I am happy with. An olive branch to the AI isn’t worth the undue arbitrary complication for a human player, in my opinion.

I very much agree with the rest of your post, but I disagree here. It isn't that complicated. I'd compare it to the recent advanced spy actions change. Monopolies contribute to more than just problems between human and AI, I'd argue it also affects map size and social policies.

 

[azum4roll]

Many other features' balance like the entire city state system is affected by map size. There's no easy way to balance them over every map size, game speed and such.

 

[JamesNinelives]

I like the idea conceptually, but I'm a bit concerned that it just wouldn't be as fun to play as it essentially makes the game slower.

Granted it will help monopolies like Sugar or Silks who get little benefit early on and could do with a buff. As others have noted though it devalues faith monopolies significantly. If there was an unlock I think ideally it would still be pretty early on - and not something that favours one tech path over others. E.g. entering the classical era. Even then not having faith earlier would be a significant hit, but it wouldn't be quite as bad the other options.

 

[Heinz_Guderian]

I also dislike putting it on a tech for the same reason as crazyG mentioned Dont like techs being absolutely mandatory in the early game

 

[Chandler]

I don't like the idea of unlocking monopolies with anything else than tile improvements. But if you definitely want that change to happen... I'd go with pineappledan's idea: unlock it as soon as you enter the Classical Era, whichever the tech you do it with.

Also, about a potential change to Tobacco... I think the Market would be a bit too soon for a resource that always seems to appear without any forest/jungle on top of it that you need to chop before building the plantation. In that regard, it works similarly to Olives and Perfume. And because of that, I want to see Tobacco in the Arena. I think it fits there reasonably, but that might be just me. Temple might suit Tobacco better, but I wouldn't like to see all the religious monopoly resources being improved by a religious building. Wine and Incense is enough.

I'd like to see Gold, Silver and Gems moved to Custom House, too. That'd leave just Tea and Coffee in the Renaissance era, and I'd vote for putting them a bit earlier, in the Garden. Finally, I'd move either Citrus or Cocoa to Market. I'm not sure, but I think Citrus can appear on forests, but not Cocoa? If that's the case, I'd go with Citrus.

 

[JamesNinelives]

I would be fine with Arena or Temple for Tobacco myself.

I'm not sure, but I think Citrus can appear on forests, but not Cocoa?

Nah, they can both turn up on forests. Citrus and Cocoa also have strong monopoly yields, they're actually among the better jungle resources. I think Garden suits them perfectly tbh.

I'd like to see Gold, Silver and Gems moved to Custom House, too.

I think we're getting grocer resources moved to Customs House at the moment.

Customs House - gets resource bonuses from Grocer, loses tourism bonus

 

[Stalker0]

I'd go with pineappledan's idea: unlock it as soon as you enter the Classical Era, whichever the tech you do it with.

If this concept goes through (still not convinced its the best idea), this is the best way to go about it imo.

 

[Chandler]

I think we're getting grocer resources moved to Customs House at the moment.

Oh, then Silver, Gold and Gems will still be in the Bank? My bad, I don't know why I thought that was going to change.

 

[CrazyG]

Yeah I think classical era is the way to go, otherwise you would pursue currency early basically every game, it would be another reason to skip bronze working.