Tips on City Specialization

[futurehermit]

If running a CE, I will generally stay in HR until astronomy and the ability to trade for overseas resources. Not surprisingly, this is also around the time that the other civics in this category become available

 

[LendMeYourTeeth]

Would just like to add my thanks to the OP for this thread. Has improved my game no end.

Cheers.

 

[Skallagrimson]

I try to avoid that when possible. Most of my cities hang around 14 - 16 for most of the game and then balloon past 20 with biology and corps.

Size 16 cities, no aquaduct. And you chop.

I find that hard to believe.

 

[FidelZandro]

Thnx FutureHermit!

I was kind of producing my own system for this until i ran into this thread.
Works just fine with my own symbols
I've got to start posting more, although i've read most significant articles (or at least i feel i did...)
Do you feel that there's a difference for larger maps? I.e. do you reserve more space for science cities? I usually play on standard size/standard speed and tend to end up with all kinds of hybrid cities. There seems to be more choice of playing larger maps...
I'm currently playing on emperor btw.

 

[futurehermit]

I usually play big&small, standard, normal, everything default. On larger maps, maybe you have more choice of cities, I'm not sure. I would say that on the settings I play the number of ideal cities is limited unless you happen to start amidst a huge swath of grasslands.

I like DaveMcW's rule of thumb: If a city can support at least 10 cottages prior to biology (and, presumably, still grow) then it becomes a commerce city. Add to this one strong gpfarm and some production cities (IW + Military + other production cities) and you have a strong empire.

You still have to play the map though.