Here's a link to a discussion thread directly on point:

> > > > What is the best way to increase production of resources? < < < <

You can pretty much ignore everything after my original post in the thread. Most of the follow-up posts have little or nothing to do with resource production.

The thing you need to keep in mind is that each building level gives you 10% improvement or so. So lets do the math.

A basic production province can give you 3,000 tons of stuff per day.

A level one industrial complex adds 10% = 3300 tons
Level 2 IC 20% (adds 10% to prior) +300 = 3600
Level 3 IC 30% +300 = 3900
Level 4 IC 40% +300 = 4200
Level 5 IC 50% +300 = 4500 tons per day.

Then you build Infrastructure:
Level 1 Infra adds 10% So +300 = 4800
Level 2 skips to 30%, so +600 = 5400
Level 3 gives you 50%, another +600 = 6,000 tons of product per day.

The only thing that detracts from the 6,000 tons possible is Morale. It does not seem to be directly related as a province with say 92% morale seems to give 98% production, so there is a formula that I haven't taken time to analyze.


Now if you have a double resource province that is the one you want to upgrade first, as it will give you twice as much return for the same investment.


The other way folks go wrong is upgrading non-core (captured) provinces before the core provinces. Non core provinces will only ever produce 25% of your original core provinces. So instead of a maximum of 6,000 tons per day you have a maximum of 1,500 tons per day. Those are worth investing in when you have a shortage of something, but ONLY when your core provinces are also being invested in.



So once you have all the upgrades you are getting twice as much production per province per day. NEVER stop building until your economy is maxed. A big economy can support a big army. A small economy can only support a small army. To quote one of my least favorite American Presidents: "It's the economy, Stupid!"

There is some variation among the output of single resource provinces, with some producing slightly less than 3,000 tons per day at 100% morale, and others producing as much as 3,100 tons. Also, provinces that produce rare materials produce roughly half as much by tonnage as provinces that produce food, goods, metals, or oil.

Conquest can work nicely.

Thank you for adding the fine print.

The way I think of it.

A core province is 4 times as productive as a non core province.

Once you have built infrastructure and factories, it's eight times more productive.

Factor in the fact that provinces are only fully productive at 100% morale, and every developed core province is worth 10 you took over or more.

As long as you expect to still be in the game once the investments in infrastructure and factories pay off. Build baby build!

(and invade all you can while doing it)

@Cwalen: Smart rookie. You will go far, Grasshopper.