Strategic directions - long-term planning

[kjn]

On the other hand, that would require two full anarchy turns: one to OR and one to Hinduism.

[luddite]

On the other hand, that would require two full anarchy turns: one to OR and one to Hinduism.

Right... unless of course we're in a golden age...

[kjn]

Anyone knows what happens if you build the MoM during a GA?

[NobleHelium]

Nothing happens.

[Fintourist]

In my example we are truly tied at the end. It is assumed that if the launch the earlier golden age, we get the tech rate of 150 two turns earlier (because we finish multipliers etc) and consequently we get tech rate of 200 also two turns earlier).

I think we agree then. I would say that, to an approximation, golden age turns have similar value if used at any point during the game. (They have a greater effect later, but this almost exactly cancels out with the fact that earlier gains will compound.) Complicating factors include the no anarchy period, which is more useful earlier; the powerful GPP boost, which can't be put to good use early in the game; and the fact that it doesn't help whipping, which is a greater percentage of your output early on.

Then there's also the fact that golden ages aren't free, they require some investment (or, the obvious opportunity cost of spending the GP on something else). And this cost is fixed, which means it's a much greater burden earlier in the game. I think we overcome this cost by saving 3t of anarchy, popping out some great scientists with the GPP benefits, and securing the first-to-tech bonuses of a few more techs. But, I think we get a much better deal by popping it around t120, than around t90. I'm still unaware of any game where a golden age was used that early by any measure (successfully or not).

Yes, we agree
Last two comments:
1) I think the GPP boost is somewhat aligned with the strenght of beaker & hammer boost earlier in the game. However the GPP boost enables later in the game it interesting strategic options that might be valuable on their own.
2) If an early GA saves three anarchy turns, it definitely has fulfilled its purpose. If the golden age is not used and those 3 turns are burned, then there must be a truly attractive GA opportunity in the future to justify that decision.

[luddite]

About golden age value over time: I think it's maximized when you have a lot of 1/1 tiles to improve like plains cottages, which double in value.

[pindicator]

I know someone asked about contingency plans in case we get beat to the Oracle, but I don't remember which thread. Guessing that it is most appropriate here...

Seems like best case if we lost the Oracle would be to just manually research Currency. I can only see Calendar first coming out ahead if we wouldn't have external trade routes / Open Borders established and if our enough of our cities are bumping up against their happy caps. Basically the commerce coming from increased happy cap would have to be greater than the extra trade route. At 1c per city I could see that as a possibility; but at 2c per city I'm not so certain.

[T-hawk]

So the Oracle plan didn't make it, and now we're casting about for our next chapter. We seem to work best when laser-pointed at a specific goal with a highly leveraged payoff.

I propose that our next target be the Hanging Gardens, especially with stone discovered on the island. We've got Mathematics, and can pick up Masonry, probably in time to be well competitive on the wonder. HG lends itself very well to precise micromanagement plans, bonus points for dropping another city or two just before the wonder completes. So who's up for this challenge?

[novice]

I would prefer Pyramids to Hanging Gardens, although I suppose we could do both.

With stone, the two wonders have the same cost.

[luddite]

I would prefer Pyramids to Hanging Gardens, although I suppose we could do both.

With stone, the two wonders have the same cost.

Why do you think the pyramids would be better than the HG? I don't necessarilh disagree, but but i'd like to hear the reasoning on that.