[Stormbinder]

Originally posted by Cainehill:
I tend not to alchemize too much in the begining, probably because if I start with fire or earth income, I've plans for it.

Fire I'll alchemize before earth - both because the gold income is better, and because, as Norfleet says, earth just seems more useful.

Usually I'll alchemize 1-5 gems at a time, usually just so I can either get an important unit (typically one of the uber-commanders - Anathemant Dragons, Niefel Jarls, Vanadrotts, etc), or to start construction on a key fort, temple, or lab.

But I also tend to stockpile my gems, if I don't have an immediate use. Meaning that in the mid to late game, I may alchemize 100 out of 300 fire gems, and 50 out of 350 earth, to push my recruitment, building, etc, at a moment when I really need it.

(Really wish there was a keystroke equivalent for selling gems at such times - pressing the up arrow would be -so- much nicer than 150 mouse clicks.)

I half suspect it's a flaw in my play, that I sometimes build up too many gems - I know I didn't use to forge enough, I may not summon enough, and I'm not sure on the subject of empowerment.

I have to agree - if you are siting on 300 gems of any type, than you are certanly not pursuing most efficient strategy, no matter what are you planing to do with them. The only possible exception is if you are planing for some extremely expensive GE spell and want to dump tons of gems into it to prevent enemy from dispelling it. Otherwise you would be certanly better of by using part of your huge gem hoard eaerlier to strengthen you position.