Mastering is what separates novices from experts. The strategic map (F6) is your best friend for setting up supply lines that ferry raw materials from specialized "resource" islands to "manufacturing" islands.
Place these along your coastline. They do not require fertility and provide a steady, cheap food supply for lower-tier citizens. Cloth (Sheep Farm →right arrow Weaver’s Hut) Settlers demand clothing to upgrade to Citizens. Ratio: 2 Sheep Farms : 1 Weaver's Hut
Chocolate is a complex dual-input chain requiring two entirely different raw ingredients. 2 Cocoa Plantations + 1 Apiary (Beekeeper) →right arrow 1 Chocolatier anno 1701 production chains
| Resource/Product | Building(s) | Crucial Ratio(s) | | -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | 2 Tobacco Plantations → 1 Tobacco Processing building | 2:1 This ratio is fixed for this chain to function without shortages. | | Meat (Beef) | 2 Cattle Farms → 1 Butcher | 2:1 Requires cattle, a livestock farm. | | Tools | Ore Mine → Ore Smelter → 2 Tool Shops | 1:2 A single ore mine can supply two tool shops, but only if the smelter is constantly fed. | | General Rule of Thumb | For many basic 2-tier chains (Raw → Finished) | 2 Raw Buildings : 1 Production Building . This is a good starting point for chains like cloth or bread. |
Never rely on traders for in the long run. Establishing your own Tool production chain is the most important milestone in the early game. Once you control your iron and tools, you truly control your destiny. Mastering is what separates novices from experts
| To unlock | Needs | |-----------|-------| | Citizens | Cider, Wool Garments, Church | | Merchants | Beer, Bread, Linen, School | | Aristocrats | Wine, Fur Coats, Tobacco, Glass, Books, Theatre/Cathedral |
If you want to optimize a specific layout, let me know you are currently focusing on, or which resource is causing your economy to bottleneck. They do not require fertility and provide a
: Demand refined goods and processed food.
Hemp is better for small islands. Sheep is better for large, grassy mainland islands.
Settlers introduce the need for construction materials and mild stimulants, significantly increasing your island's infrastructure needs. 1. Alcohol (Rum / Alcohol)