How often do you alchemetize for gold?

[NTJedi]

[quote]Originally posted by PhilD:

Originally posted by NTJedi:
[qb]
An Alchemist has a Gold cost of 300, so an Upkeep cost of 20. If you're alchemizing about 4 Earth gems a turn, or 3 Fire, that pays for his upkeep. Not exactly early game, but I'd say that's easy to reach in a non "purely blitz" game, and definitely worth it in solo play (of course, you have to add in the 200 Gold for a Lab, and the 300 upfront cost of the Alchemist; but that's just 34 Fire gems before you get the Alchemist, or 23 after it).

Well your strategy sounds different then mine if you are alchemizing 4 earth gems every turn. Only when an emergency occurs will I sell my gems instead of using them for magic. The more troops I buy with gold... the more my upkeep. It's good to alchemize for that emergency 3 temples which need to go up tho.