Castles and Citadels and stuff

Originally posted by Norfleet:
This is indeed true, although the lower admin can in part be made up for by building them in more places, since overlap is less of a concern with low-admin forts than it is with high admin forts. While the Mausoleum's measly 25 defense makes it easily sieged, even this will buy a turn, and simultaneously not pose as a huge obstacle should you need to take it back.

If I had no need, or intended to put a Wiz Tower in only key provinces where the admin would still help but not every province. Yes. But doing that would cost more in the long run. Especially on big maps. The Mausoleum has it's place, but not with any sort of strategy really utilizing many reasources.

I have noticed this particular point as well: I, too, have taken to using wizard towers for anti-raiding forts, and their admin percentage is rather nice when I erect them in the few provinces that generate me any income at all, as Ermor, and their performance as speedbumps is quite nice. For the emergency uses I often deploy them in, however, even the 2-turn construction can be a little too slow, hence magical construction. For conventional building, however, a mausoleum is just as effective in suppressing ghost rider attacks, as they never stop to siege.

In my experience the stopping of Ghost Riders is just a bonus. More often than not, a raiding force from a few nations (Abysia, Caelum, Mictlan) can break down 25 Defense quite easily. But 75 requires just too much time for them, especially if they leave them there to even try. 2 Turn Construction done by a Spy is quick enough for me both early and late in the game. But this is probably where playstyle and experience differ.

Still, I can see you have very good reasons for choosing the Wizard Tower. I don't quite see it as meshing too well with my present style, but you have obviously found it to fill a niche for you. I think we can both agree that the Mountain Citadel is still a very dubious choice for any reasonable style, though!

I'd rather gouge out my eyes than pay Dpoints for a Mountain Citadel. They'd have to make a Theme pick it mandatory before I'd ever take it for anything out of whim, fancy, and making the AI's job easier.