I recently had an interesting situation in a game. I was the Persians (Monarch) on a somewhat odd Continent map: 3 big continents + 2 largish islands, me and the Americans on the smallest continent. My Immortals made short work of the Americans, so I'm alone there now. I have the Colossus, Sistine Chapel, and Copernicus Observatory in three different cities. Now, Newton's University is coming up, and I plan to build it in the city where the Colossus is, so I start Palace there. I'm simultaneously building Smith's Trading Co. in my capital (where Sistine's is). Only other Wonder around to build is Shakespeare's.
The thing is, it takes forever to get to Gravity, so by the time I get there I have enough shields in my Colossus city to get Smith's first (like 2 turns left or something). Should I take Smith's and try for Newton's in my capital (and risk not getting Newton's at all), or stick to the plan (and most likely not getting Smith's at all, but getting the Colossus/Newton's combo)?
The thing is, it takes forever to get to Gravity, so by the time I get there I have enough shields in my Colossus city to get Smith's first (like 2 turns left or something). Should I take Smith's and try for Newton's in my capital (and risk not getting Newton's at all), or stick to the plan (and most likely not getting Smith's at all, but getting the Colossus/Newton's combo)?
Assuming you have a decent sized empire - after all you've taken over another civ already - I'd guess you have at least 20 cities, of which 10 are coastal. Assuming market places in 20 and harbours in 10, that means Adam Smith will save you 30gpt in maintenance - minimum - whereas Newton will give you 50gpt science, maximum. Personally, that's a no-brainer - Adam Smith every time for a large empire. Once you add in banks etc, it's clearly the better option.
