Resource Optimization for a 15c

Another guide I'm reposting from a former alliance... Again, don't remember the name of the person that originally posted but I give him/her all credit for this writeup.

-Bob


Resource Optimization for a 15c
Everyone wants a 15 cropper, but few players truly understand the work
and effort you need to make a successful and efficient village out of
one. If you are starting a 15 cropper, read all of the following, even
if you know what you're doing. It is a long process and it always helps
to have a few reminders.


Placement
To be very effective, a 15c needs the bonuses from wheat oases. The
best case scenario is finding a 15c with access to three 50% wheat
oases. This is rare, and at this point, most of the "150% 15cs" have
been claimed or are far far out in the boonies. A 15c without access to
at least one 50% wheat oasis and one 25% wheat oasis is sub-optimal.
They are still useful, and you should take them if you can find them,
but don't go settling out in the boonies for one, when a 4446 next door
would be more helpful tactically.


Gold
Gold can make building a 15c about ten times easier. Being able to
convert wheat into any resource you need instantly in the market can
make a 15c self-sustaining. If you do not have gold, you should only
build a 15c where you have ample support from high output nearby
villages. If you have neither gold or support, building a 15c up is
more headache than it is worth.


Getting Started
Start by upgrading the Granary, Warehouse and Main Building. You will
need to do this to build your Marketplace (so you can see when your
support shipments arrive, and use the NPC Merchant if you have gold).
You should also build your rally point to level 1, and station a scout
here immediately. If you are relatively safe (you don't have to worry
about attack) you should keep to the basics. If you are not in a safe
area, be sure nearby support villages can take care of the conflict,
and build a wall, and a large granary to support the troops you will
need to send in to defend.

Building up your wood, clay and iron fields should nly be done when you
have the resources to spare. Getting them to level 3 is fine, at max,
they should never go above level 6, and that shouldn't be until your
wheat is well above level 8. Building Brickworks, Sawmill and Iron
Foundry in a 15c is extremely wasteful.


Growth
Your population growth in a 15c should be anemic at best. Wheat fields
don't increase population until level 6. You should only be getting
population increases from your Main Building, Warehouse and Granary.
You may be upgrading your Market if you're sending wheat out in
exchange for other resources, or if you are in hostile territory and
need to send wheat out to avoid raids.


Leveling Fields
Level all wheat fields to 5 and Stop.
Start working Flour Mill to level 5.
Build one Wheat field to level 10.
Start building Bakery to level 5.

When all of your wheat fields are level 8, you should be finishing up
your Bakery. The Flour Mill and Bakery will give you an extra 50% wheat
production when they are both finished. They are your first goal when
building up a 15c. Your village should look like, Main building (lvl
3), Rally Point, Granary, Marketplace, Warehouse, Flour Mill (lvl 5),
and Bakery (lvl 5). You shouldn't be spending your resources on
anything else yet.


Annexing Oases
About the time your wheat fields are all 8s and one ten, you might want
to start thinking about annexing a wheat oasis. This is a matter of
preference and logistics. If you have a clearing wave capable of
opening up an oasis for you to conquer, then go ahead. If you can't
have another village clear for you right now, you may want to hold off.

A 15c is a powerful village if done properly. If done improperly it is
a drain on a player's resources and time, with little return. If you
plan to start your own 15c, please speak with an experienced player for
advice and find neighbors who can assist in the task.

If an ally is starting a 15c in your neighborhood, help out. When war
comes, it will be the 15c that annihilates the enemy's defenses, and it
will be your planning and assistance that made it possible