Still Catering Successfully at Higher Levels ;D

[Darielle]

Here's another screen shot of a province near the top of the 4th page (right around 26 or 27, 3rd star). Are they really sustainable for caterers week after week? I don't think so; not if you want to have any chance at all of completing the chapter with the humongous guest race buildings needed. We're talking 3rd star here, so nowhere near as hard as the last star. I just don't think it's consistently sustainable without fighting at least once in a while. But I have to admit, I admire the people who try. They have more staying power than I do.

 

[Darielle]

By the way, I have a maxed BTG and ETC, as well as a high level MH.

 

[MaidenFair]

Here's another screen shot of a province near the top of the 4th page (right around 26 or 27, 3rd star). Are they really sustainable for caterers week after week? I don't think so; not if you want to have any chance at all of completing the chapter with the humongous guest race buildings needed. We're talking 3rd star here, so nowhere near as hard as the last star. I just don't think it's consistently sustainable without fighting at least once in a while. But I have to admit, I admire the people who try. They have more staying power than I do.

Yes, those numbers look quite daunting. I'll repeat, I don't know if it will be possible to cater in the very highest chapters. Costs aren't set in stone, however, they depend on the city setup; so while your and @iamthouth 's screenshots are really interesting and informative (thanks for sharing, both of you), they're likely not representative of the costs I or any other cautious caterer will experience when we get that far. Your city for example, Darielle, is only 3 chapters ahead of mine (very soon to be 2, only 3 techs to go!) yet has 182 more wonder levels and 63 more expansions than I do: 70-75% bigger on both counts! Your costs will naturally be immensely higher than mine. I don't see any further wonders I really want to build (certainly not 5 full ones!), and even accounting for ascended good manufactories and some growth of other basic buildings and adding new event buildings, I can't imagine a scenario where I would have added more than another, oh, 20? expansions by then. That means my costs (and those of any caterer who planned from the get-go) should be much lower than yours when I do get there.

Long way to say: everyone's costs are sure to be different, even at the exact same place in the research tree.

 

[Darielle]

Yes, those numbers look quite daunting. I'll repeat, I don't know if it will be possible to cater in the very highest chapters. Costs aren't set in stone, however, they depend on the city setup; so while your and @iamthouth 's screenshots are really interesting and informative (thanks for sharing, both of you), they're likely not representative of the costs I or any other cautious caterer will experience when we get that far. Your city for example, Darielle, is only 3 chapters ahead of mine (very soon to be 2, only 3 techs to go!) yet has 182 more wonder levels and 63 more expansions than I do: 70-75% bigger on both counts! Your costs will naturally be immensely higher than mine. I don't see any further wonders I really want to build (certainly not 5 full ones!), and even accounting for ascended good manufactories and some growth of other basic buildings and adding new event buildings, I can't imagine a scenario where I would have added more than another, oh, 20? expansions by then. That means my costs (and those of any caterer who planned from the get-go) should be much lower than yours when I do get there.

Long way to say: everyone's costs are sure to be different, even at the exact same place in the research tree.

You make some good points there. The wonders will make a big difference, so you may be able to do it. If you do, let me know ... I'll be cheering you on.

 

[Grishnak]

@MaidenFair Thanks for answering my questions! I appreciate the perspective. I think your advice is pretty applicable to any kind of city, not just us caterers. I'm also curious how the recently announced changes to the Spire will affect things. I've managed to score one magic residence and zero magic workshops up to this point (only been playing for a few months and I typically finish 2/3 of the spire).

Hopefully catering remains a viable options, whatever changes they throw our way.

 

[MaidenFair]

You make some good points there. The wonders will make a big difference, so you may be able to do it. If you do, let me know ... I'll be cheering you on.

Aw, thanks, Darielle! I promise I'm not trying to be argumentative, just hoping to present a different experience. (On that note, I entered 17 today and winced when I saw the miniscule amount of unurium I'll be producing: ~25k a day. I knew that downside of having low required culture and population would get me eventually; at least it took 3 years, lol!)

@MaidenFair Thanks for answering my questions! I appreciate the perspective. I think your advice is pretty applicable to any kind of city, not just us caterers. I'm also curious how the recently announced changes to the Spire will affect things. I've managed to score one magic residence and zero magic workshops up to this point (only been playing for a few months and I typically finish 2/3 of the spire).

Hopefully catering remains a viable options, whatever changes they throw our way.

You're welcome! I hope you found something helpful in that mass of text. I get a little overexcited to share what I've figured out, since I wish I'd had someone to talk over strategies and ideas with when I started.

I also hope catering will remain viable. It has definitely gotten a little harder (in later chapters) already with the wonder changes early this year, but I suspect it will continue to be doable in some form, although after the Spire changes also take effect, the best strategies may no longer look much like what I did. It will be interesting to see that play out.

In any case, I think it can be safely said that catering is and probably will remain an easy option if anyone doesn't care so much about spire and tourney. If someone just wants to play through the chapters with only medium to minimal participation in the extras, catering should be a breeze. My city was built for extra efficiency because I wanted to see if catering could not only be done, but done at a highly engaged level. It's certainly not necessary to go that hardcore, though.

 

[Darielle]

Aw, thanks, Darielle! I promise I'm not trying to be argumentative, just hoping to present a different experience. (On that note, I entered 17 today and winced when I saw the miniscule amount of unurium I'll be producing: ~25k a day. I knew that downside of having low required culture and population would get me eventually; at least it took 3 years, lol!)

You are one of the most diplomatic and reasonable people here (and nicer than me, lol), so I would never think you argumentative. I appreciate your experiences and they help me with my own journey. I catered the spire all the way up this week, and it wasn't that difficult. I usually fight, but I like to do it at least 1-2x a month to save my stash of 5 days. (But I have two fully evolved astrals, so that 20 percent off makes a huge difference. It was the only evolving building that I've bought a stash hut for in order to get two.)

You are entering by far the worst chapter they've ever created. I can't say I disliked it ... I detested it. But you've got 18 to look forward to, and it is far better, and 19 is much better too (although I still have 7 techs to go to complete it, so not sure how the end is.) At least there's a light at the end of the 17 tunnel. Best of luck!

 

[SuNaya Dark]

Hi.
I'm not a newbie, but I am about to enter Level 7 (Faeries) in both of my cities.
I now have the chance to craft Red Panda Master in my Magic Academy.
Is he worth the investment at Ch6 level, or should I wait?

Thanks.
- SuNaya Dark

 

[getmomo]

Do you have artifacts to evolve it?

 

[SuNaya Dark]

Do you have artifacts to evolve it?

Good question.
At present, I have only 1.
I'm guessing I should wait for more first?

Thanks. -
- SuNaya Dark

 

[Glandeh]

Good question.
At present, I have only 1.
I'm guessing I should wait for more first?

Thanks. -
- SuNaya Dark

Yup, so don't craft it now. If you did, you'd better disenchant it again because you will not get a new one to craft if you already have one, either in your city or in your inventtory.