Early Game Economy

from Elemental Forums

I am really enjoying the addition of armies at the beginning of the game, but there is a side effect of some, in my opinion, major economy issues, especially for any players who will be relatively new or low on the experience scale. 

 

The militia and spear men are a huge drain on the starting gold production. If you are not lucky enough to get a merchant trait hero or have a wealthy sovereign, you can run into issues quite quickly, especially by the time you get your third hero. For example, I am playing a custom soverign Pariden game, and I have 2 spearmen, Panca Archers, and 2 heroes, and even on oppressive, I can not break even in tax revenue (I just founded my second city). This is with selling off every piece of equipment and sundries I have found. 

 

I would suggest maybe have a flag for starting armies, Volunteer or Inspired or some such that either removes the upkeep cost or halves (like the slave flag - I think). 

 

Now, I am going to forestall any sort of learn to play posts here by saying yes, with planning and careful juggling you can get by this hurdle relatively easily. I see this as a frustration issue for any newer players and a change could possible be a good thing to prevent them from getting worked up and stop playing. 

10,766 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

build a merchant early and you are fine.  

 

Your idea would be potential cheese, as now you can upgrade the size of units.

 

 

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Then make those units either un-upgradeable, or, really in the end will a company of free militia and spear men be that big of a deal?

 

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top


You can disband units.  You've learnt an important part of the game: having enough gold to support your troops and hero.  The strategy of the game would be hugely dimished to remove that.

Early merchant/market buildings are essential.

 

Cheers,

Sword

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

I think an easy way to fix this problem is to just fix the Propaganda spell. Right now it does not give a flat amount of gildar, but is based on your taxes.

I personally have never had a problem with money early in the game, but I wish this spell worked like it was written.

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

Naidrev- Propaganda does work as written, in my experience. 2 gildar per essence is added to the city's gildar production, then the tax rate is applied, just like merchants, markets, etc.