Opinions on the most useful resources and their tech improvement

[miral]

The manual suggests that, in the early years at least, you be very sure to have an adequate supply and flow of bricks and food, for obvious reasons. Beyond that, what do you think are most useful resources and the ones to improve tech in? Of course, this will vary greatly depending on the state you play and the strategy you form, but are there some that are most always very useful, even necessary?

For instance, I would argue that marble is quite necessary for specialists buildings, like the diplomatic. These buildings add a kind of hidden strength to your state. That is, there effect is not as obvious as, say, a gold mine or a horse paddock, but the influence they can exert on the game can be profound. I believe marble is also used for the advances to the Learning Buildings, which have a geometric effect on the advance of your state's power.

Thanks

[anarchyintheuk]

I go for the first level on each as soon as possible, then research copper to build hoplites/elite hoplites. Usually a combo of marble and bricks until walls can be built.

[miral]

A good overall approach. And copper is probably the best resource, other than food/bricks in early game. Oh, I've found you also need marble to create generals and officer training buildings so I become more impressed with the value of marble the more I play. And it usually brings a good price if you have a surplus of it.

[lordhoff]

I research copper first to the first level, then wood (if I have a lumber capacity), then silver, then gold, then agriculture (if I have that capacity). If you later get a city with, say, agriculture, by then, building it up a level or two should be very fast. I eventually moved from multiple research to one at a time research. Levels depend on ethnic group. Illyrians cannot build cavalry. Tribal cannot build past level one universities so no use researching further unless you have a gold mine resource. Eastern cannot build heavy infantry so archers and cavalry should be a priority. Diplomatic options are nice but others I found to be more needed and there simply was not room for everything. No use going past bazaar for "silver" unless you have silver mines and/or marble mines. Most cities max out on agriculture by irrigated farm. Iron I found mainly useful as a trade item (as I did marble - generally only kept 3-5 per month for my own use). Well developed bricks, agriculture, and silver are a must for most scenarios.

As far as builds, if you have a single city and no brick making, build that prior to a military camp or you'll be sorry! One can usually squeak by early with intrinsic army builds until your city is built up a second level for your military camp. If I am an island nation or in a rough area, I usually initially build light infantry and skirmishers (when I get wood and another city). You'd be surprised what an army of Pslovi javalenmen can do even to a hoplite army. Later, if I find myself fighting on the mainland, I'll build heavy infantry barracks (beware, though - these are economy busters especially when on the march so build those bazaars and mines!).

Anyway, this is what I gravitated to.