Choosing colonies

MingeBag · 22-05-2007, 18:56

As major countries, I usually give into the temptation of sending colonists to every province in sight. (Resulting in massive stability costs.) However, as minors, who can often only send single colonists yearly, it becomes more important to be picky... so what are general rules for choosing good colonies? I'd imagine where gold, sugar, coffee (and the other resources which are above 30 ducats in the ledger) are produced are good choices. Anything else?

Also, when it says, for example, sugar is worth 30 ducats, how does this number actually apply? What do those ducats go into?

EDIT: Also, a third colonist question. Which is a better strategy (in general, and if you're a minor):

Taking one or two provinces and building them up to cities, then taking a few more and so on
Taking a wide area of land (say, the East Coast of North America) and then slowly building up each province into a city (to prevent other countries from taking the provinces)

Will all colonies produce tax, or are they only a burden until you make them into cities? Thanks all.

Amtrak · 22-05-2007, 20:17

I often try to colonize the provinces with high production values first, as the money you make from production is generally much greater than regular taxes and is only affected by your nation's production efficiency - meaning no penalties for being overseas or whatnot. Next, I consider the tax values for the provinces. If two provinces produce the same resource, I would rather have the province with the higher tax value (that's just common sense there...). Lastly, I look at the native's aggresion rating. Native population and ferocity don't really matter - it's the native aggresion that affects how quickly the colony's population will grow when you're not sending additional colonists to the area.

Using your example of sugar: If sugar is worth 30 ducats (I'm assuming you're talking about trade value), that 30 ducats is multiplied by a) the colony level and b) your trade efficiency. That value is then added to the value of whatever CoT that province trades through.

Generally, I try to colonize huge swaths of land to keep other countries away. I build up my colonies to a population of 200-300, then move on to other areas while they grow. This also gives me a greater opportunity for the colonization event, which adds 200 population to a colony and gives me a bonus colonist. This is probably a poor strategy for minor nations, as it tends to be hugely expensive. Since colonies earn tax based upon their size, colonies (especially low population ones) usually add very little to your income (gold provinces or territories with other high production value resources will make a lot more money than those with less valuable resources). Keeping huge numbers of these low income colonies can quickly become a burden, especially when playing as smaller nations.

MingeBag · 22-05-2007, 20:26

OK, thank you - while you say that colonies earn tax based upon their size, does this apply to base tax or that and the resource? Or will a level 1 colony get as much resource income as a level 9? A full fledged city?

Also:

Quote:

Using your example of sugar: If sugar is worth 30 ducats (I'm assuming you're talking about trade value), that 30 ducats is multiplied by a) the colony level and b) your trade efficiency. That value is then added to the value of whatever CoT that province trades through.

What do I get out of this? If I have no merchants in that COT, and I don't own it?

Thanks for the response.

Top Gun · 22-05-2007, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by MingeBag

OK, thank you - while you say that colonies earn tax based upon their size, does this apply to base tax or that and the resource? Or will a level 1 colony get as much resource income as a level 9? A full fledged city?

Also:

What do I get out of this? If I have no merchants in that COT, and I don't own it?

Thanks for the response.

Cities get a lot more taxes than level 9 colonies.(The caribean is good as the tax levels are very high and they also produce sugar).The value that the resource contributes to the centre of trade increase its wealth so merchants(hopefully yours) get more money

pjcrowe · 22-05-2007, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by MingeBag

OK, thank you - while you say that colonies earn tax based upon their size, does this apply to base tax or that and the resource? Or will a level 1 colony get as much resource income as a level 9? A full fledged city?
...
What do I get out of this? If I have no merchants in that COT, and I don't own it?

The bigger the colony, the bigger you tax and production income from it. As for the latter question, I think you might get trade tolls on the stuff.

To your original question, I like to found a few strategically place colonies to get the ports I need for my troops, and if someone else founds a colony where I want to expand, I'll just seize it from them during a war.

-Pat

MingeBag · 22-05-2007, 21:14

Thanks all, great advice.

Last question - is the size of the colony just the population, floored the nearest hundred? So a colony with 513 dudes is level 5?

RebelYell · 22-05-2007, 23:36

Yes to your last question. Once you hit 1k it becomes a city.

comagoosie · 23-05-2007, 01:22

When I have money to spare i colonize Taiwan for chinaware, a province in Southern Austrailia for gold, Pomo and Aleut for gold too. I am extremely picky on where to send colonist because I don't want it to hampen my technology research rate.

SirGrotius · 23-05-2007, 03:07

I go for the sugar colonies of the Caribbean, too, as the sugar provides good production value and most are tax base six, which is decent.

berhaven · 23-05-2007, 19:19

Some additional good policies:

always have at least 1 one-level colony to have the chance to get the colonial goody event (I like having small poor islands good as ports for my fleets do this job)

always (or almost always) get rid of natives: the advantage of additional pop when fully developed is more than offset by the higher success probability and the absence of revolts (unless triggered by spies of course)

spare the last colonist if you are likely to have pop growth do the job for you

the best balance between focus on one colony at a time and spread colonial claim has been deeply discussed in several threads, and it roughly depends on your wealth, your colonist generation rate, the fact that you discovered the lands or they are of public domain in your tech group.

pascal · 23-05-2007, 22:27

There is another aspect no one has yet spoken about : the agressivity of the locals. Try to settle in africa and you will understand what i mean... it's very common to lose your colonies there... and sending armies won't help.
Then there is another thing i try to keep in mind : the attrition of the ships if i have to send troops or fleets. So i try to settle first close to europa (for that cap verde is perfect if you aren't portugal or spain, who already have islands in atlantic), then you chose your direction(s) : to south america, to caraibs, to north america, to africa, or to india/indonesia/oceania (for this i continue to settle on islands, like st helena, bourbon... which are much easier to colonise than african lands, and makes good ports for your boats to rest).

22-05-2007, 18:56	#1
MingeBag Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 455	Choosing colonies As major countries, I usually give into the temptation of sending colonists to every province in sight. (Resulting in massive stability costs.) However, as minors, who can often only send single colonists yearly, it becomes more important to be picky... so what are general rules for choosing good colonies? I'd imagine where gold, sugar, coffee (and the other resources which are above 30 ducats in the ledger) are produced are good choices. Anything else? Also, when it says, for example, sugar is worth 30 ducats, how does this number actually apply? What do those ducats go into? EDIT: Also, a third colonist question. Which is a better strategy (in general, and if you're a minor): Taking one or two provinces and building them up to cities, then taking a few more and so on Taking a wide area of land (say, the East Coast of North America) and then slowly building up each province into a city (to prevent other countries from taking the provinces) Will all colonies produce tax, or are they only a burden until you make them into cities? Thanks all. Last edited by MingeBag; 22-05-2007 at 19:51.

23-05-2007, 01:22	#8
comagoosie Roman LibrAARian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 945 (EU3, Michigan) in between palm and ring finger Posts: 8,269 Blog Entries: 1	When I have money to spare i colonize Taiwan for chinaware, a province in Southern Austrailia for gold, Pomo and Aleut for gold too. I am extremely picky on where to send colonist because I don't want it to hampen my technology research rate. __________________ My Most Humble Applications: HOI3 (1.3): HOI3 Editor .75 (very much still beta). EU3 (3.2 - 4.1b): EU3 Stats Generator 2.5.2 and EU3 Savegame Editor 3.0 - 3.01 Dealt: A polish colonel deals his last hand The Swiss Account: The average documentation of the stereotypical Swiss. "Cheese ages better than women but money is forever." - Davout I M P E R I U M: the Magna Mundi of Rome.

23-05-2007, 03:07	#9
SirGrotius Chancellor Demi Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 3,620	I go for the sugar colonies of the Caribbean, too, as the sugar provides good production value and most are tax base six, which is decent. __________________ When I'm writing in this color I'm taking up the moderator's mantle. Everybody's got plans... until they get hit. - Mike Tyson I feel like sometimes that I was not meant for this society. - MT

23-05-2007, 19:19	#10
berhaven Colonel Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Duchy of Milan Posts: 1,115	Some additional good policies: always have at least 1 one-level colony to have the chance to get the colonial goody event (I like having small poor islands good as ports for my fleets do this job) always (or almost always) get rid of natives: the advantage of additional pop when fully developed is more than offset by the higher success probability and the absence of revolts (unless triggered by spies of course) spare the last colonist if you are likely to have pop growth do the job for you the best balance between focus on one colony at a time and spread colonial claim has been deeply discussed in several threads, and it roughly depends on your wealth, your colonist generation rate, the fact that you discovered the lands or they are of public domain in your tech group. __________________ Nemo propheta in Patria

22-05-2007, 20:17	#2
Amtrak First Lieutenant Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 278	I often try to colonize the provinces with high production values first, as the money you make from production is generally much greater than regular taxes and is only affected by your nation's production efficiency - meaning no penalties for being overseas or whatnot. Next, I consider the tax values for the provinces. If two provinces produce the same resource, I would rather have the province with the higher tax value (that's just common sense there...). Lastly, I look at the native's aggresion rating. Native population and ferocity don't really matter - it's the native aggresion that affects how quickly the colony's population will grow when you're not sending additional colonists to the area. Using your example of sugar: If sugar is worth 30 ducats (I'm assuming you're talking about trade value), that 30 ducats is multiplied by a) the colony level and b) your trade efficiency. That value is then added to the value of whatever CoT that province trades through. Generally, I try to colonize huge swaths of land to keep other countries away. I build up my colonies to a population of 200-300, then move on to other areas while they grow. This also gives me a greater opportunity for the colonization event, which adds 200 population to a colony and gives me a bonus colonist. This is probably a poor strategy for minor nations, as it tends to be hugely expensive. Since colonies earn tax based upon their size, colonies (especially low population ones) usually add very little to your income (gold provinces or territories with other high production value resources will make a lot more money than those with less valuable resources). Keeping huge numbers of these low income colonies can quickly become a burden, especially when playing as smaller nations.

22-05-2007, 21:14	#6
MingeBag Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 455	Thanks all, great advice. Last question - is the size of the colony just the population, floored the nearest hundred? So a colony with 513 dudes is level 5?

22-05-2007, 23:36	#7
RebelYell Second Lieutenant Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 125	Yes to your last question. Once you hit 1k it becomes a city.

23-05-2007, 22:27	#11
pascal First Lieutenant Join Date: May 2007 Location: Holstein Posts: 220	There is another aspect no one has yet spoken about : the agressivity of the locals. Try to settle in africa and you will understand what i mean... it's very common to lose your colonies there... and sending armies won't help. Then there is another thing i try to keep in mind : the attrition of the ships if i have to send troops or fleets. So i try to settle first close to europa (for that cap verde is perfect if you aren't portugal or spain, who already have islands in atlantic), then you chose your direction(s) : to south america, to caraibs, to north america, to africa, or to india/indonesia/oceania (for this i continue to settle on islands, like st helena, bourbon... which are much easier to colonise than african lands, and makes good ports for your boats to rest).