Nimlot, I do, but seem far to busy testing to relax an d play for fun
I normally have only an inspectors tower, I hardly ever bother with a guard tower, though... Having the market's inside make the blocks look more like villages to me. I know these block take more space than the ones using enhanced roads, but the look kinda pretty
Sappho Pleb
posted 11-29-02 11:25
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Thanks for all these great ideas! I still like to segregate my Elite housing from Common housing - does anyone have a specifically Elite housing block? (Should this be a new thread?) Sappho
GoneWacko Pleb
posted 11-29-02 14:51
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well I have never really tried to develop Elite housing... But by the time I will, i'll try to do one :P
"Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" - Albert Einstein
CLAVDIVS Pleb
posted 11-29-02 16:26
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To Sappho: Yes, i always use one separate block for Palace+ usually 4 elite appartments (usually up to impr.compound).I need the elites only because they boost my military power(the extra money can help too sometimes).They have their own mill/market, are 100% walled in (i fight all the time). Since i always fight, everything in my games is heavily fortified: Common housing/serv blocks walled in, Elite block walled in, weapon industry block has its own wall and at least 2 infantry and one crossbow forts nearby, plus one Chariot unit for charging in if needed. My maps look pretty ugly with all those "castles" here and there.
What buggs me most is the darn wall-to-river gap and the impossibilty to turn off just one tower for example. Oh and when one unit doesn't return. What that means? They all killed or eaten by some game bug? It really hurts to burn down a fort of some Veteran unit, blast em all! Have fun! C. Mc Cloud
Tinchen Pleb
posted 11-29-02 17:10
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Hi!
I am playing The Grand City right now, and I am in the third mission where I have to build 32(!!!) heavenly compounds. Does anyone have a block for this kind of housing, or does anyone have an idea of how to fit all of these huge houses in one city?
I am stuck, and I canīt seem to make it work.
Help! and thanks for any help...
Tinchen
JimMRooney Pharaolympics 2000 Competitor
posted 11-29-02 20:18
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Here is an elite block that I've used in several missions on Normal difficulty. Fully developed you get 8 heavenly compounds. Previous to drama, you can substitute 2 more elite houses for the theatre and Buddhist pagoda. With a few more aesthetics beside the 2 new houses, you can get 10 impressive compounds.
Here is the same block as in the previous post, reimagined for a second block of elite housing with no admin city and palace. This one will contain 12 heavenly compounds.
Here's one I modified from my previously posted common housing block. It's an 8x19 loop this time. (miscounted the road tiles whilst laying out the block )But it turned out for the better.
All in all, it houses 14 Elite Houses with the option for 2 more if you relocate the Palace. Of course, 14 is overkill, but at the tax income it provides.
The Imperial Way running along the outside of the block provides access to the upper right and lefthand corner houses. Though this can be replaced by a normal road and lined with trees, statues, etc.
And, as my own personal rules demand, the block is contained within a residential wall.
Normally, I never use this block except when either: 1.) Testing new layouts 2.) Lots of space available - and/or - 3.) Looking to make a killing off tax income
I've always preferred to include my services inside of the block, as opposed to mixing them in within the housing. Just gives it a more authentic neighborhood look in my opinion. It's a habit I developed way back in the days of Caeser and Pharaoh.
Of course, if it weren't for the tireless efforts of the talented forumers who first created this style of housing block, my neighborhoods would still be in disarray. :P
[This message has been edited by Rat (edited 11-29-2002 @ 10:15 PM).]
Vriesea Pleb
posted 11-30-02 00:57
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Perfect Harmony and the Housing Block
Lately I have been trying to achieve perfect harmony with my game play. In the latest campaigns (Qin, Han, ) it is difficulty to use the many of the submitted and typical rectangular housing blocks because space is constricted or the terrain just does not allow the positioning of buildings within the shape to achieve perfect harmony.
What works for me is an inverted "L" shape block which is a variation of VAIA's submitted block in a previous post.
When I open up a game (in Normal Play) my only requirement is to find two rock foundations somewhat close to each other. Beside the first rock formation I will place an inspector tower that will service all my housing block (see glyphy). The placement of the inspector tower by the rock formation is important as the tower requires "earth" to achieve perfect harmony. From that rock formation starting with the inspector tower I create the base of the housing block and turn it in the direction of the second rock formation.
At the second rock formation (see glyphy) I place an inspector station, music school and two warehouses all of which require metal or earth to achieve perfect harmony. From this rock formation a road is created which allows the inspector to service the supporting structures. I usually use one warehouse to store food supplies and the second to store wood/paper, hemp, ceramics,
For my game play I have let this block evolve to Ornate Apartment. The block will house a population of 2520 and provide 1058 workers. It requires 7560 units of food, and 960 units of hemp and ceramics per year. I usually provide two food shops in the market place as it is more forgiving in times of need. The gates to the market square allow market carts to pass. The gate to the ancestral shire allows for the passage of religious walkers. Remember to allow inspectors to pass on the gate to the inspector tower.
Good gaming, Vriesea
[This message has been edited by Vriesea (edited 11-30-2002 @ 01:19 AM).]
MarvL Pleb
posted 11-30-02 01:35
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I just posted a Comprehensive Walkthough of Single Player 7 Song-Jin 6 Juyongguan at
[This message has been edited by MarvL (edited 11-30-2002 @ 01:36 AM).]
Gustavia Pleb
posted 11-30-02 13:51
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Vriesea,
I downloaded your Qin-2 where you used this block. It is awesome. In fact, the whole map is wonderful. I especially like how nicely you did the central business district, with the Admin City overseeing all the commerce.
Gave me lots of ideas and inspiration to achieve Perfect Harmony in my own games.
Vriesea Pleb
posted 12-01-02 21:40
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Gustavia:
Thanks for the compliment it is very much appreciated.
I think one of the fun things about this game is downloading others cities and seeing how the builders approach the game. Then you take what you like or try something a little off center.
You can get a lot of good ideas from those downloads
Good gaming, Vriesea
Wendoolicus Guest
posted 12-05-02 05:18
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Sappho - here's my go at elite housing block - you need a fair amount of space.
The way I develop it is wait till I have heaps of unemployed, then draw the basic road block, add the services, add the mill, 6 market stalls and warehouses - then when they're all up and running and fully stocked, I finally add the elite housing as shown below (notice - I put residential walls around the whole area (markets, mill & warehouses etc.) - just to make it 'exclusive' LOL)
This has worked for me (except for my great flood disaster).
Play around with this and maybe move the drama theatre if possible to improve desirability.
[This message has been edited by Wendoolicus (edited 12-05-2002 @ 05:21 AM).]
Kamikaze San Pleb
posted 12-05-02 12:28
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Hi,
why do you have a well?elite houses don't need a wel.
Inside the road loop you can delete the 4 statues move the second house up and ad one house do the same on the other side so you can ad another 2 houses witch makes 10 elite houses plus an admincity and a palace. witch alows you to build 12 forts.
I havent tested you block but maybe you should try to delete the tai chi park and put a house there and see if it wil fully evolve. visa versa with the private garden.(you dont need them but they are good for your treasury)
Wendoolicus Guest
posted 12-05-02 15:58
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Oops I didn't realise wells weren't required for elite.
The 8 elite houses all evolve to Heavenly Compounds as I stock up on the following goods before building the elite housing.
Tea, lacquerware, hemp, ceramics, silk & delicious food (with plenty of paper, wood + drama, music & acrobat schools).
This is usually the max requirement for the scenarios that I've come across to date.
The private garden, tai chi park, ponds, statues and gardens are all there purely for aesthetic reasons. Have tested this block in several games now and it works well
From this elite block, admin city and palace I always seem to get my 12 forts because - "Administrative City = 1 fort. Palace = 2nd fort. One fort is allowed for each occupied Lavish Siheyuan or Humble Compound, 2 forts are allowed for each occupied Impressive or Heavenly Compound. A maximum of 12 forts may be built in any city."(quote from HG FAQ page(on normal level that is
Of course all housing blocks are here as guides to what works well individually
[This message has been edited by Wendoolicus (edited 12-05-2002 @ 04:08 PM).]
Rat Pleb
posted 12-05-02 18:13
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Quoted from Wendoolicus:
This is usually the max requirement for the scenarios that I've come across to date.
Just wait until you reach the last mission of the Song campaign
All in all, nice block. Though I usually add a well to my Elite blocks as well (pardon the pun). This allows for me to scatter in some common housing should the need arise.
Hunter of Gremals, Krugs, Wabbits, Wolves, and that sniveling little DePuce who made a mockery out of my name!
ramases_88 Pleb
posted 12-05-02 19:52
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I did it! I desinged my huge housing block! It's accually more like a whole city desing rather than just one housing block. I'm testing it right now, so I don't know how much population it can hold. It is very efficiant in layout and space. every thing fits in nicely. It has up to 4 possible common housing blocks and 2 more for optinal elite housing or common housing. It would would be very helpful for cites requiring mass population. Fit a couple on a big map and you would have a huge population. Perhaps I will enter the I-Challengeu contest and show it off.
Now if I could only figure out that housing block code thing.....
JimMRooney Pharaolympics 2000 Competitor
posted 12-05-02 20:21
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Quoted from ramases_88:
Perhaps I will enter the I-Challengeu contest and show it off.
ROTFL. Sorry, I'm just imagining the look on your face when you download the ICU map.
Nimlot Persson Pharaolympics 2000 Competitor
posted 12-06-02 03:00
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Quote:
Sorry, I'm just imagining the look on your face when you download the ICU map
LOL, Yeah it will be fun to see somebody try to fit in a couple of monster blocks
Jayhawk Eminence Grise
posted 12-06-02 03:36
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As promised, here's the (resizeable) Elite block I normally use. When the block is reduced in size (fewer elites) some of the inner structures can be used to replace one or more Tai Chi parks. When increased in size (more elites) Tai Chi gardens (or other things) can be added to the inner 'block'.
One fort is allowed for each occupied Lavish Siheyuan or Humble Compound, 2 forts are allowed for each occupied Impressive or Heavenly Compound
sorry I forgot that.
|-->--->Kamikaze San<---<--|
Wendoolicus Guest
posted 12-06-02 14:49
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S'cool KamikazeSan
Jayhawk - wow I really like that one. Am wondering about the market - are the road tiles underneath the grand market square counted in the loop (for service walkers?) or do they walk back around? (as you don't have a gate on the left side I'm assuming the former). I particularly like your use of the ponds - In RL I try to ensure I have water both at the front and the back of the house LOL. And your citizens must be experts at tai chi
Just a Q - can the tai chi parks be accessed when not on the roadside?
Great block!!!!
[This message has been edited by Wendoolicus (edited 12-06-2002 @ 03:25 PM).]
ramases_88 Pleb
posted 12-06-02 20:33
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I just saw the map for the contest, but I am prepared! I have created a modified smaller version (less funcinal, but it works) for smaller maps. I'm always prepared. hehe
p.s. the look on my face looked something like this: LOL
[This message has been edited by ramases_88 (edited 12-06-2002 @ 08:37 PM).]