Beard Rinker
Warlord
The golden age increases both production and income so timing it to occur when both are most needed is ideal. In my experience, this is around half way through the Middle Ages to the start of Industrial Age.
In a typical game production needs compared to production capacity seem to be greatest from around the start of the middle ages to half way through the Industrial Age. Once in the Middle Ages, most core cities have been founded and many key city improvements can be built. There are also several key wonders at the end of the Middle Ages and start of the Industrial Age. Once all core cities have factories, production capacity is more in balance with production needs.
Cash requirements compared to income seem to peak around half way through the Middle Ages to about half way through the Industrial Age. Before this period cash requirements are low; technology can be bought cheaply and there are few units to upgrade. Once in this period you are either all out researching for the technology to build a key wonder or spending large amounts buying key technologies. Upgrade costs become more substantial with the discovery of gunpowder, military tradition, nationalism and replaceable parts. Around half way through the Industrial Age income is more in line with expenses. Most cities have banks and most key wonders are built allowing selling technology to supplement your income.
In a typical game production needs compared to production capacity seem to be greatest from around the start of the middle ages to half way through the Industrial Age. Once in the Middle Ages, most core cities have been founded and many key city improvements can be built. There are also several key wonders at the end of the Middle Ages and start of the Industrial Age. Once all core cities have factories, production capacity is more in balance with production needs.
Cash requirements compared to income seem to peak around half way through the Middle Ages to about half way through the Industrial Age. Before this period cash requirements are low; technology can be bought cheaply and there are few units to upgrade. Once in this period you are either all out researching for the technology to build a key wonder or spending large amounts buying key technologies. Upgrade costs become more substantial with the discovery of gunpowder, military tradition, nationalism and replaceable parts. Around half way through the Industrial Age income is more in line with expenses. Most cities have banks and most key wonders are built allowing selling technology to supplement your income.
