When to create soldiers and bells

[NutMeg1987]

I was reading over some of the strategies suggested and saw one that said not to build soldiers until AFTER you declare independ. Is this a good strategy, and if so, how do you do it? Once I start stockpiling colonist to become soldiers, my overall rebel sentiment starts dropping to the point I'm not able to declare war. So far, I haven't been able to finish a game because of this.

Also, how long do you have from declaring until the king's army arrives?

Finally, is it better to produce bells all through the game or wait until you're close to declaring?

 

[dalgo]

I was reading over some of the strategies suggested and saw one that said not to build soldiers until AFTER you declare independ. Is this a good strategy, and if so, how do you do it? Once I start stockpiling colonist to become soldiers, my overall rebel sentiment starts dropping to the point I'm not able to declare war. So far, I haven't been able to finish a game because of this.

I don't think this would be a good strategy unless you were facing a very small REF. In that case I suppose you could rely on your townsfolk to fight the war for you. I prefer to build a standing army, training my extra colonists as veterans and arming them with guns and horses. To be able to do this and still declare independence you need to take some of the FF that enhance bell production as well as employing three elder statesmen in each townhall.

Also, how long do you have from declaring until the king's army arrives?

Generally the King's ships will turn up in the sealanes two turns after you declare independence. How long it takes them to reach you depends on how far away your colonies are.

Finally, is it better to produce bells all through the game or wait until you're close to declaring?

This is a much debated point. Personally I build liberty bells at a steady level throughout the game but increase that level when I am ready to declare independence.

 

[CultureManiac]

I was reading over some of the strategies suggested and saw one that said not to build soldiers until AFTER you declare independ. Is this a good strategy, and if so, how do you do it? Once I start stockpiling colonist to become soldiers, my overall rebel sentiment starts dropping to the point I'm not able to declare war. So far, I haven't been able to finish a game because of this.

If these are new colonists, either from Europe or from food overflow, then they begin as loyalists, and will lower your overall rebel sentiment. Keep them busy working in cities until the rebel sentiment rises and you are ready to declare, then you can arm with with the guns you have stashed away. It may be necessary to stop or slow the increase of your population until you get over the 50% mark.

 

[dalgo]

If these are new colonists, either from Europe or from food overflow, then they begin as loyalists, and will lower your overall rebel sentiment. Keep them busy working in cities until the rebel sentiment rises and you are ready to declare, then you can arm with with the guns you have stashed away. It may be necessary to stop or slow the increase of your population until you get over the 50% mark.

It is a misconception that new colonists start as ‘loyalists’. The game treats all citizens the same, whether they are the latest colonist to arrive from Europe or a farmer who has been working in your colony for 30 years. The overall rebel sentiment is decided by the number of liberty bells produced per turn divided by the total population. So of course if you increase your population without a corresponding increase in bells per turn that rebel sentiment will decline. On the other hand if you increase your production of bells per turn faster than your population growth then your overall rebel sentiment will rise.

For a more detailed view of the subject see Axxon’s excellent strategy article:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=293730

 

[CultureManiac]

It is a misconception that new colonists start as ‘loyalists’. The game treats all citizens the same, whether they are the latest colonist to arrive from Europe or a farmer who has been working in your colony for 30 years. The overall rebel sentiment is decided by the number of liberty bells produced per turn divided by the total population. So of course if you increase your population without a corresponding increase in bells per turn that rebel sentiment will decline. On the other hand if you increase your production of bells per turn faster than your population growth then your overall rebel sentiment will rise.

For a more detailed view of the subject see Axxon’s excellent strategy article:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=293730

Thanks for the clarification. I should have phrased it differently. Axxon's article is super helpful.