Ironclads

[sprudl]

Does anyone bother to research Ironclads now that it's a separate tech?

I didn't build them often pre-C3C and the Ironclads tech in C3C has a very low priority. IMHO, those boats aren't very powerful and the big ships are right around the corner. not worth the trouble at all.

The AI doesn't give it a high priority either. I've seen frigates escort transports, followed by a bunch of destroyers

So I guess it's only useful as a trading chip. Does anyone else feel this way? Is it more important on levels higher than Monarch?

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Ive yet to get that far in the tech tree in the epic game in C3C so I cant really say. The only time it might be worth it is if control of the seas is vital and the ironclad will give you a needed boost, say on a archipelego map or something.

Chivalry is a little bit like this, and I sometimes leave it and head for cavalry instead. Sometimes though you really need those knights sooner than cavalry will come on line. However not as passable as Ironclads, as some civs need chivalry to get their UU's and of course the Knights Templar is a nice wonder to have.

[Sarxis]

I have yet to research it in C3C, but I will when the opportunity presents itself.

So far, I just haven't needed or been able to build a sizable navy.

[chequita guevara]

At the very least, it's an excellent tech to trade for profit. As they are more powerful than frigates, in a naval game, they are actually quite useful, especially since you can upgrade them to destroyers.

In my last game I made over twelve thousand gold selling the tech. I also saw the ai using them.

[sprudl]

I didn't realize they upgrade to destroyers. This makes them more interesting. But I'm still not sure they're really useful. They are strong, but very slow. A little too slow for my taste.

[Inverse Icarus]

i did in my last game, but i was falling behind on tech, and i whored it out for more valuable techs. plus, lots of ironclads are awesome for pelting a coastline into rubble.

[Gibsie]

I have researched it but never built them. Maybe I will in future...

[WarpStorm]

There is a 3% chance of gbetting an SGL from it.

[Cerbykins]

If you play on a 80% water/archipelago map, you may find some use for it (seeing as a navy as a constant ongoing concern in those games ).
The good thing about navies would be that generally, all the ships bombard and you normally only need attack the enemy when they're at 1 health. Even in the modern era, I'm sure frigates could make good coastal resource bombers

I guess it's one of those techs that's only useful sometimes, but when it IS useful, it's REALLY useful

[Spaced Cowboy]

I usually skip this one and beeline for destroyers. Usually I trounce the AI through attrition and tech advantage. I still love it when the move too close to my land space with their ships and I pound them with arty, then send out the navy to finish them off.

[Kuciwalker]

I usually research it because I hate having the choice "integrated defense" along with the choice "ironclads" I snap up all of the optional techs.

[chequita guevara]

I don't like that ironclads aren't as fast as wind driven ships.