What are your preferences at Deity level for lux, tax and science in rep/democracy?

Alexander's Horse · May 22, 2001, 22:39

I used to often do a 2.4.4 split in single player unless I was trying to WLTLD.

Now I move them around a lot depending on what I'm trying to achieve and use an 8.2 split, with 8 being the priority, be it happiness, science or tax. I change the priority frequently. Sometimes I gradually build up or build down the levels as a way of seeing where my cities are at in terms of willingness to celebrate, stay happy etc.

Any other thoughts on this?

finbar · May 23, 2001, 02:50

Depends on my immediate goal. If I've got trade caras flying around and chasing techs, I'll max science with as few luxuries as I need to keep the chattering classes happy and no income other than trade. And so on.

Rufus T. Firefly · May 23, 2001, 03:00

My answer isn't a fixed ratio, but just the most favorable ratio that let's you max out science without running a deficit. That tends to mean 1-7-2 (tax-science-lux) in a young democracy (I always need at least 10% taxes or my smaller cities start selling things off; trade would prevent that, but I'm not much of a trader). But since, with an SSC late in the game, you can often get as much science with 50% or even 40% as with 70% (in which case I raise either luxuries until my SSC is maxed out, then switch and raise taxes), it's generally 4-4-2 for a late democracy, and 5-0-5 after the discovery of fusion.

On a different note: what's the image under your name? It's too small to make out on my crappy work computer.

East Street Trader · May 23, 2001, 07:50

Typically I'll have lux at 20% with either science or tax at 80% depending on current priorities - science being the more normal priority.

I agree that, ideally, you should regularly check to see whether it produces a better result to leave the lux setting where you've got it or to change it, thereby either requiring a few more elvii in individual cities or a few less. Early on and in a game which is going well I have the patience for this. If the game is sticky for a bit I find I'm just too anxious to press the "end turn" button.

In Monarchy or early Republic the trade off between keeping a city with HG celebrating and a higher overall lux setting can be quite delicately balanced so I often find myself trying out different settings.

Rufus

The avatar is the delectable (but rather serious) Lady Deirdre, leader of the Gaian faction in SMAC. A rather ambivalent choice.

kcbob · May 23, 2001, 08:34

I start with the minimum luxury setting I can get away with. The other two depend on my immediate needs. Usually, the science is maxed out unless I need cash for bribing. When it's all said and done, it usually works out to about 20, 40, 40, give or take 10 here and there. Pretty non-conclusive, huh?

SlowwHand · May 23, 2001, 09:11

Whatever brings balance, Grasshopper.

Dr.Oogkloot · May 24, 2001, 19:23

20-0-80 if I can get away with it.

Jaguar · May 24, 2001, 20:05

Luxuries are a total waste of money or science. No matter how many entertainers you have, its still better than luxuries. I try to have 100% science, and I use my treasury to continuously buy caravans, which go to far off lands and give me more money than I spent on them.

TCO · May 24, 2001, 21:23

Republic? What kinda mountain-city lovin cavlry officer would use that?

I just use desp/mon/fundy. But I like the 80/20 rule. Except occasionaly in fundy, I'll do short bursts of 50 for science.

Alexander's Horse · May 24, 2001, 22:12

Quote:

Originally posted by FireDragon
Luxuries are a total waste of money or science. No matter how many entertainers you have, its still better than luxuries. I try to have 100% science, and I use my treasury to continuously buy caravans, which go to far off lands and give me more money than I spent on them.

Er, we're talking about Deity level democracy and republic here. I've never seen a player who could get away with no luxuries at that level.

AustralianJeremy · May 25, 2001, 05:12

No, I agree with FD. I'd rather not spend anything on luxuries, and I play at Deity. I just keep the cities happy in the other ways.

Then again, I do usually lose. So perhaps I should just shut up.

Blaupanzer · May 25, 2001, 10:52

I use 20 - 60 - 20 in Democracy, 30 - 70- 0 in Monarchy and Communism and 50 - 50 - 0 in Fundy. I try not to use Fundy, don't use Republic at all. I do vary luxeries occasionally to get WLT_ days. Take it out of taxes first, then science if I have AS, out of science, if not. During those periods, I'll switch scientists to elvi, also.