King of young Burgundy - University vs. Extra city vs. Extra Barony

[jpinard]

I have a nice little cache of funds (~950g) saved up. My capitol is Provence and I'm wondering how I should spend that cash. I am making 11g per month and hold a second barony in Provence already. I've been working hard on technology and have a decent advantage over everyone else in the area on everything except items of culture. If you look at the map you can see Europe is a mess:

So what would you all suggest I do?
* Build a University in my capital to try and get further ahead in tech?
* Build a second city to try and make more money faster and utilize the Genoa trade port more in Provence (would that even help my funds that much?
* Build a 3rd Barony, then another Castle Town?
* Just focus on my main capital upgrading those buildings past level 2?
* Upgrade my second Barony's buildings in Provence to level 1 or 2?

Thanks so much! Looking forward to everyone's opinions!

 

[Simmy93]

Here's my rule of thumb, Castles Walls + Keep + Castle Town always at maximum as early as possible. Levies and taxes will raise, and allow you to start creating other buildings faster. When it comes to building extra cities/baronies, I usually do so when I have surplus of cash, usually when i've created everything I can within my tech restraints. I'd definitely advocate a balance of holdings, however if this is your capital province, create new baronies, at least 3 if you can. If your stewardship is good enough, hold onto them. I play a very centralised game, so a tough interior duchy is always my goal.

Universities are great, however they really are a something you build when you have the disposable income. Looking at your situation, I'd definitely begin to gather levies and gather cash for mercs. Hope its helped!

 

[jpinard]

Thanks, yes helped a lot! I didn't know if Castle Walls and Castle Town were worth it past level 1 since it would take so long to recoup the cost.

Also, I have the option to become French in my Intrigue tab and it's been there for a while. Do I want to do that? Right now I'm Frankish but there's a mishmash of cultures everywhere with no consistency.

 

[Simmy93]

It doesn't seem like you'll regain your investment, but it does pay off, especially all together. The faster you achieve a sizable income, the faster you can build other things, think of it as an investment. THe French intrigue option is grand but until other nations around you start going French, there's no real reason to change. Usually when you do a few vassals will also switch from Frankish to French, but there's no rush, depends what kind of flavour you prefer.

 

[Thrake]

I would go for more levies and good savings for mercs because the Umayyad will come knocking at your door sooner or later. University is too long term in your situation.

Castle town is usually the first buildings I upgrade no mater what; castle wall is much lower in priority list though.

 

[jpinard]

Did I happen to say thank you? Because I want to say it again I've nurtured this game for quite a while and am intent on somehow taking over all of Western Europe (which probably won't happen lol). But you've given me a chance!

 

[Simmy93]

As I said, this is all incredibly personsal. The great thing about this game is there's a thousand ways to do it right, and what i've described is just one! Castle walls are hit and miss, I enjoy them for their levy and tax increases, also because they're required for further keep upgrades. I wish you the best of luck and hope to see the Burgundian empire in the Empire thread soon. Good luck!

 

[jpinard]

As I said, this is all incredibly personsal. The great thing about this game is there's a thousand ways to do it right, and what i've described is just one! Castle walls are hit and miss, I enjoy them for their levy and tax increases, also because they're required for further keep upgrades. I wish you the best of luck and hope to see the Burgundian empire in the Empire thread soon. Good luck!

Haha thanks. You guys rock!

 

[Vicodin_Addict]

This is unusual but help me a lot when I was a Dukewho had a capital on coastal counties :

1. Instead of building Universities, how about helping your mayor build a city port up to level 3 (if your trade practice tech are high enough), that way he generates money faster, and give you more money in return, so the BEP of your investation is not really long. Since Genoa owned a trade zone, you can check the bonus if you clicked the city and hover your mouse to cities income. It is usually 10-20% but it is stack with collect taxes, so you can reap much gold from the cities.
2. To boost tech score of Cultural Tech, you can build monastic school in one your church, it is way cheaper than Universities. And since you mention, you lack of cultural advancement, this can be a good start to do that.
3. Relevant to point 1, cities vs baronies, always pick city. Since you have a coastal capital and Genoa Trade Zone bonus, you can reap that bonus at once. But if you choose to build baronies, keep it to yourself rather than handing it over to some random baron. Bonus from train troops from your Marshall and Collect Taxes from your steward is stacked. I said this because you have 7/8 demesne limit and I doubt you can add more county to your demesne by bordering Ummayad and Lombardy anytime soon.

Hope this help.