Iron Works or not?

[Marquis de Sodaq]

In my current game as the French, I've discovered industrialization. Gay Paris is a bustling metropolis with 40 shield production - without a factory. There are still 2 mines to work in the radius, as well. My question:

Should I complete the Ironworks in this city? If yes,
Should I also build a factory?

My concern is pollution. Obviously, it'd be a big boost to have a city that could complete a major wonder in 5 turns, or one turn infantry construction. How much pollution should I expect from a city that produces 80 or 120 shields? How many workers will I need just to keep suburban Paris clean?

I've posted a poll in case people don't want to post a reply...

[Harovan]

Take a look at this beauty ... and then build both! The worst pollution comes from population. Just don't let the city grow above 20.

[DrFell]

Build ironworks first, so there's no risk of the resources expiring, then go build the factory. A city can only produce a max of 1 pollution per turn so all you need is enough workers to clear the pollution square in one turn... which is less of a problem for France since they're industrious. And having a super production city is great fun.

[Marquis de Sodaq]

Thanks, Sir Ralph - that's the sort of city I envision! I still need to lay railroads, as well, so 150 shields sounds within reach...

[Harovan]

Originally posted by DrFell
Build ironworks first, so there's no risk of the resources expiring

That doesn't matter. The right to build the IW remains.

[DrFell]

Even if the resource expires before you start building the wonder? Never knew that, I have only build iron works once, and only had the chance to a couple times.

[albiedamned]

Build both. Number of shields doesn't affect pollution. Population causes pollution, and the existence of certain improvements (including factory and iron works) causes pollution. So the factory will cause the same amount of pollution in a 40 shield city as it will in a 20 shield city.

Like DrFell said, a city can only pollute one square per turn. So just make sure you keep enough workers around to clear the pollution in one turn and you'll be fine.

[Harovan]

Originally posted by DrFell
Even if the resource expires before you start building the wonder?

Yes. I checked it in a game with a crappy one-shield-island-city. It could build the IW. Of course, I did not even try it. Soon after, the coal depleted. The right to build the IW remained. Apparently, the IW capability is a fixed flag in the data structure of the city.

However, I don't know if the city gains the right to build the IW, if a new source of iron/coal is discovered.

[The Pioneer]

I am thoroughly confused ! What is an IW? For a second there I thought I was in Colonization Forum! Have I missed something!?!

[Dr. Stiby]

Originally posted by The Pioneer
I am thoroughly confused ! What is an IW?

What about Iron Works? just a wild guess...

[The Pioneer]

Ok, I feel like a fool here but I will play it cool and ask again

I know that IW means Iron Works but what is Iron Works... ...and yes I've pllayed the game and not just once....

[delsolsi]

Originally posted by The Pioneer
Ok, I feel like a fool here but I will play it cool and ask again

I know that IW means Iron Works but what is Iron Works... ...and yes I've pllayed the game and not just once....

Its a small wonder that you get a chance to build if you have both Iron and Coal in your city radius. It can give a pretty large production bonus as seen from Sir Ralph, 153 shields per turn, and in a recent game I had 135 (175 during Golden Age, wish it was that much the whole time) shields per turn in a city with lots of coast that produced no shields.

[Marquis de Sodaq]

Pollution is thus not a big concern. The massive shield production will allow any helpful improvements to curb it later on, too. Building both IW and factory seems to be a clear choice.

I knew there was still fun to be had after the middle ages... (I usually start anew at around this point in a game) Construction will begin this evening!

[FrustratedPoet]

I voted 'Ironworks' ... but I meant 'Both'. I'm dumb.

Anyway ... go for it! I've only had the chance to build the IW once and it blew me away!

I love it!

[Catt]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph
However, I don't know if the city gains the right to build the IW, if a new source of iron/coal is discovered.

I can't swear on a stack of bibles, but I would assume that you could build the IW in any city that has both coal and iron - whether newly appeared or there of longstanding (of course, being limited to only one in the game).

I assume this because in a very old game several months back, upon the discovery of Steam Power I got the hoped-for pop-up "Our people want to build the Iron Works . . ." -- upon locating all of my newly discovered coal deposits I was surprsied to see that I had my choice of three cities in which to build the IW!

BTW, didn't know that once the flag is hit, even with the depletion of coal or iron the IW is still an available imrpovement -- thanks for the tip.

Back on-topic:

Definitely build both. No question about it. I presume that Paris is your capital which = little waste. If you play up through nuclear plants (or even offshore platforms if you've got a little coast) you might be pumping out 180+ shields or more.