What do 'eras' really do?

[Bierp]

I've never paid much attention to the changes of the eras. I get the pop up window and the very exciting sound effect, but I usually just click them off and keep going.

But I'm wondering, is there any actual game effect associated with changing eras? Perhaps an expansion penalty reduction or...something? Is it purely a marker or is there an impact in play?

Also, I've just never paid attention to this in enough detail...is it a single tech that switches eras (say Iron Working) or is it a count of techs from an era or one of several that cause the switch.

I'd appreciate it if someone could do a breakdown or direct me to a thread outlining this. (A search didn't turn up much.)

Thanks much,
Bierp

 

[AriochIV]

I do know that there are a variety of techs that will advance you to a given era, rather than just one. But I don't know of any game mechanics that are tied to era, other than graphics and music... most obsolescenses, etc. are tied to specific techs rather than eras.

 

[Chamaedrys]

The eras allow you to have different graphics of units/buildings and different sounds. I think they symbolize the cultural development durring the ages, but have no "hard" effect.

 

[phooey73]

Actually, I do know of one effect. Its used in the calculation of whether a city under cultural assault will defect or not. For example, a couple archers may be good enough to keep a 20% city in check in the ancient era, but by the modern, you will need either something stronger or a whole lot more of them.

So, yeah, pretty obscure, but era does matter a tiny bit here, and perhaps in other places too.

 

[Smidlee]

You can start a game from each era. Techs are broke down into eras so to determine which techs you will receive in the beginning from each era.
They changed "horseback riding" tech to Classical so if you pick a game which start in the classical era you still have to research "horseback riding" as before you didn't. This slowed down the ability to build Horse Archer in classical starts.

 

[shpritc]

If you start in an era other then ancient, do the civs all have more then one city ,and infrustructure to reflect the era? Or do you still start with one settler, warrior?

 

[dc82]

Well the Great Wall wonder can't be built once you pass the classical age.

 

[KrikkitTwo]

Well the Great Wall wonder can't be built once you pass the classical age.

If you START in Eras other than Ancient, the game rules are changed (some Wonders can't be built, some Buildings are obtained for Free, and a number of other costs are changed)

But in game changing from Era to Era has no major effect (cultural revolts are more powerful, and there is some AI effect, but nothing significant)