Empire Capital primary focus

[Hirokazu Takeda]

I have put tons of hours into this game and I have never settled on what the best/optimal capital should be. Should in be research hub? Unity? Extraction? A lot of the time I just change it to whatever I need in that play through. But I want to now focus on building the most optimal capital for any game. I mostly play machines so any thoughts or suggestions would be most welcome.

[Kameh]

I personally have always done research. Districts are enough city ones to have enough building slots and housing for the pops needed.

Then usually make the other districts whatever I need if I lack a mining or energy world atm.

[Kalemenos]

I'd suggest this: At the start of the game, you may need it as a bit of a "catch-all" to address your economy's needs. But as the game develops, and you can have specialized planets address those needs, I always prefer to make my capital a RESEARCH one. You get some bonuses (mouse-over the words "Empire Capital" on planet view to see them): one is +10%. Research seems to be one of your more valuable things to produce, as it in turn magnifies everything else: more minerals, more energy, more fleet power, etc.

By mid-game, I think, your economy should be at least strong enough to rip down buildings and put up better ones for a given planet, and switch districts. Don't be afraid to do that: the long-term payoff is very much worth it, IMHO.

[Hirokazu Takeda]

Originally posted by Kalemenos:

I'd suggest this: At the start of the game, you may need it as a bit of a "catch-all" to address your economy's needs. But as the game develops, and you can have specialized planets address those needs, I always prefer to make my capital a RESEARCH one. You get some bonuses (mouse-over the words "Empire Capital" on planet view to see them): one is +10%. Research seems to be one of your more valuable things to produce, as it in turn magnifies everything else: more minerals, more energy, more fleet power, etc.

By mid-game, I think, your economy should be at least strong enough to rip down buildings and put up better ones for a given planet, and switch districts. Don't be afraid to do that: the long-term payoff is very much worth it, IMHO.

I don't think I have ever seen one say +10% research. On none capital planets its build speed and upkeep reduction, and as for capital its resources from jobs +15%.

Well it turns out the +15% actually effects research, which is strange because I have heard multiple people claim it did not do that. Plus with the wording I had assumed it was only Minerals, energy, alloys etc.

[Kufesska]

Originally posted by Hirokazu Takeda:

Originally posted by Kalemenos:

I'd suggest this: At the start of the game, you may need it as a bit of a "catch-all" to address your economy's needs. But as the game develops, and you can have specialized planets address those needs, I always prefer to make my capital a RESEARCH one. You get some bonuses (mouse-over the words "Empire Capital" on planet view to see them): one is +10%. Research seems to be one of your more valuable things to produce, as it in turn magnifies everything else: more minerals, more energy, more fleet power, etc.

By mid-game, I think, your economy should be at least strong enough to rip down buildings and put up better ones for a given planet, and switch districts. Don't be afraid to do that: the long-term payoff is very much worth it, IMHO.

I don't think I have ever seen one say +10% research. On none capital planets its build speed and upkeep reduction, and as for capital its resources from jobs +15%.

Well it turns out the +15% actually effects research, which is strange because I have heard multiple people claim it did not do that. Plus with the wording I had assumed it was only Minerals, energy, alloys etc.

research and unity produced by pops(not buildings) are both "resources from jobs" too

[Hirokazu Takeda]

Originally posted by Kufesska:

Originally posted by Hirokazu Takeda:

I don't think I have ever seen one say +10% research. On none capital planets its build speed and upkeep reduction, and as for capital its resources from jobs +15%.

Well it turns out the +15% actually effects research, which is strange because I have heard multiple people claim it did not do that. Plus with the wording I had assumed it was only Minerals, energy, alloys etc.

research and unity produced by pops(not buildings) are both "resources from jobs" too

I realize this now after checking.

[Kalemenos]

Originally posted by Kufesska:

research and unity produced by pops(not buildings) are both "resources from jobs" too

Yes, thank you, that is what I meant; my original expression, "+10% res," was imprecise. The boost is to job production, not straight to research. Sorry for the confusion Hiro

[Silamon]

My capital is always a research world until I can set up a colony dedicated to research specifically. After that I convert it into a lot of admin buildings for unity.

[Kufesska]

forge capital also a nice specialization - only forge designation that increases alloy production, instead of job upkeep
and building slots can be used for empire unique buildings, like embassy

[Sabaithal]

Foundry focus, because consumer goods never stop being in demand until very late game, and the capitol gets bonus to all production. I can supply several research worlds this way.

Well assuming I'm playing wide anyway. If I'm playing tall its a different story.

[Hirokazu Takeda]

Forge and research sound like the best bet. Considering the increase in output of all resources (research is included in that calculation) Research sounds more appealing since there isn't a planetary decision that increases that output alone.

[Old Ben]

Originally posted by Sabaithal:

Foundry focus, because consumer goods never stop being in demand until very late game, and the capitol gets bonus to all production. I can supply several research worlds this way.

Well assuming I'm playing wide anyway. If I'm playing tall its a different story.

OP said he mostly play Machine, so consumer goods is of no use. I also play Machines, and focus on research research research....

[Yippo the Clown]

Personally I go unity generation on the capital because it just makes sense to me - it's the capital after all.

[Silamon]

Originally posted by Yippo the Clown:

Personally I go unity generation on the capital because it just makes sense to me - it's the capital after all.

In general yeah. For a faction dedicated to science the capital being majority research makes sense too. Or one focused on industrial evolution could make sense being a forge world.

[Kufesska]

Originally posted by Hirokazu Takeda:

Research sounds more appealing since there isn't a planetary decision that increases that output alone.

thats why habitats and ringwords are best tech worlds

[Hirokazu Takeda]

Originally posted by Kufesska:

Originally posted by Hirokazu Takeda:

Research sounds more appealing since there isn't a planetary decision that increases that output alone.

thats why you habitats and ringwords are best tech worlds

True but for me those come to late or I do not want to build a habitat. The thing I noticed lately as machine race is that I only have 60% hab on a habitat and that was default.

Originally posted by Yippo the Clown:

Personally I go unity generation on the capital because it just makes sense to me - it's the capital after all.

This also makes sense thematically.