Resource Questions

[0bsidi0n]

I think this is a pretty basic question: if, for example rubber, is set to appear on a particular forest square, but I destroy that forest before I discover the prerequisite, will the rubber appear on the grasslands under it?
Also, will resources only be depleted if mined, or is this totally random, in which case I can mine to my heart's content?
Thanks!

[Pillager]

1. Cutting down forest doesn't affect a visible resource. The positioning of resources is set at the start of the game (I think), so I assume that the rubber would still appear in that square, when you get the relevant advance.

2. Mining doesn't affect whether or not a resource depletes, only whether or not the resource is connected to a trade network. Once a resource is properly connected (colony, or R/RR in cultural border) it is utilised, regardless of tile improvements. For this reason, some don't connect to a strategic resource until it is absolutely necessary, although it's never been a problem for me, as I have never had a resource of which I have only one source expire.

Also, only certain resources deplete (coal, iron, etc.), rubber doesn't. Someone will be able to tell you exactly which resources do and do not deplete.

[Grumbold]

You're very lucky not to see your resources deplete. Uranium is the most volatile but I've had coal and iron both vanish to the opposite end of the world before.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Coal to me seems the most crucial volatile resource. As soon as coal is in my greedy little paws I immediately begin churning out Rails before the coal expires. Matter of fact many times I'll set workers one per square rather than gang working squares as when the coal expires those workers starting a rail in a square will be allowed to finish their work.

I like wise remember having a game where I had just gotten a coal and iron in the same city radii. I immediately started the Iron Works wonder. The coal expired the immediate next turn (Yes I had coal for all of a single turn), I was able to finish the Iron works wonder though none the less and a number of squares were rail roaded.

Og

[ShredZ]

Im pretty sure that a rubber resourse will not come in on a square that WAS forest and now is grassland. Thats assuming grassland is not one of the designated tiles that it can come in on.

So, if you go and chop down every tree on yer continent, your chances of getting rubber are nil.

Og: I did the same thing once, except I got coal thru trade, I ganged up on all railroad builds except when my deal was one turn from expiring, then I spread them all out (hills last) and they still got to work on rail for the next 6ish turns!

[SomeOneElse]

The worst resource that disappears for me is Iron, playing the Persians. It seems that there is always only one iron deposti for me within somewhat easy reach, and at that its usually in the middle of a mountain range or some such crap

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Shredz


Yeah thats how I always do it if I have a coal trade. Most likely the cost of coal is expensive for the first trade after that the AI really starts jacking up the price or by that time I'm at war. LOL

Og

[Fitz]

Originally posted by ShredZ
Im pretty sure that a rubber resourse will not come in on a square that WAS forest and now is grassland. Thats assuming grassland is not one of the designated tiles that it can come in on.

I think yer wrong about this. I typically elimiate almost all forest and jungle before rubber, and I can't ever remember not getting it.

[ShredZ]

I dont know which tiles rubber will come in on tho, maybe someone could post it, it was just an example. I dont know if it even possible that a resource could only come in on forest or jungle considering both of those types can be changed...

Certain resources will only come in on certain tiles, if it was changed during the course of the game I doubt it would still come in when you have the appropriate tech.

[Arrian]

I can say with absolute certainty that cutting down forest on a tile where rubber will appear will not prevent it from appearing. Same with cutting down jungle on a coal tile. In this respect, it's very different from CivII.

By the way, rubber is one of the two resources that never depletes (horses being the other).

I think the most volatile is actually oil (in terms of the setting in the editor).

-Arrian

[Ignorance]

In my last game my only source of saltpeter depleted after 2 turns.
Forced me to destroy English with knights instead of cavalry.
Later uranium jumped about 20 squares next to another city, on the first turn I connected it.

I wish the depletion would be connected to usage of the resource. So building musketman might cause saltpeter to deplete, not pure chance.

[alva]

[SIZE=1] advance.

2. only whether or not the resource is connected to a trade network. Once a resource is properly connected (colony, or R/RR in cultural border) it is utilised, regardless of tile improvements. For this reason, some don't connect to a strategic resource until it is absolutely necessary, although it's never been a problem for me, as I have never had a resource of which I have only one source expire.

has this been confirmed??? This discussion has been going on for a long time, but i have never seen any comment (official) on this.

[Phil_de_geezer]

has this been confirmed??? This discussion has been going on for a long time, but i have never seen any comment (official) on this.

I know i'm not official but has anyone seen a resource deplete that is not connected to a trade network? I haven't. Besides, if it did deplete when not connected it would be very unrealistic (i'm just waiting for someone to tell me realism has no place in Civ3) and annoying.

[Grumbold]

I have no hard evidence but I have never seen a resource deplete before it is connected up and therefore deemed to be in use.

[Arrian]

They will not deplete unless connected.

-Arrian