Editing Castle

'''Castle Improvements''' are a vital part of any efficient strategy.
[[File:Castle.png|thumb|A castle with [[Masonries]].]]

They are not as important (if used at all) when playing a speed-dependent strategy. They are used extensively by [[Exploring|explorers]] and [[Converting|converters]], while [[Attacking|attackers]] use them to a lesser degree.

== Investment ==
You invest resources in your castle. Each resource type is worth a different amount of points:
* 1 [[Gem]] = 12 points (this is the only usage for gems)
* 1 [[Lumber]]/[[Ore]] = 2 points
* 1 [[Platinum]] = 1 point

As per the [[#Formulas|formulas]], it takes exponentially more points to reach a higher bonus. Therefore, it is wise to build as many Diamond Mines as possible early on. Most players stop building Diamond Mines by day 25 of the [[round]]. Depending on your speed, strategy, and [[play style]], players often have between 300 and 800 Diamond Mines.

However, Diamond Mines are not always the best building choice. See [[#Racial Differences|racial differences]].

=== Lightning Bolt Damage ===
When a dominion's castle has been damaged by [[Magic|lightning]], the dominion gains a temporary bonus to investing. Each investment point, after applying standard bonuses such as racial or tech, is worth 2 points.
 
Example: a dominion has 30 million points invested and loses 1 million points due to lightning. While the dominion's castle is below its all-time high of 30 million points, investment is doubled.  That is, only 500k points, after standard bonuses, are needed to recoup the 1 million lost points.

== Racial Differences ==

The general approach is that [[races]] without units whose OP or DP is dependent on a certain [[land type]] should use exclusively DMs for investing in castle.

For all races except [[Sylvan]] and [[Icekin]], Diamond Mines are the most efficient way to invest in your castle. 

Despite having a unit that depends on a building, [[Dark Elf|Dark Elves]] are often seen with DMs.

[[Sylvan]] players usually use lumber from lumberyards and [[Icekin]] players use ore from ore mines.

[[Goblin|Goblins]] have a +10% bonus to improvements, meaning every 1 point invested counts as 1.2 points for Goblins.

There is debate as to whether [[Gnome]] are better off with Diamond Mines or more Ore Mines. Since Rockapults reach maximum DP at only 40% mountains (compared to 60% mountains for Icekin's FrostMages) and those 40% are easily designated for ore mines and homes, many players find room for DMs.

== Castle Parts ==
 
There are six parts of the castle into which the player can invest resources.
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Part
! Bonus
! Max
! Comments
|-
| Science
| Platinum Production
| 20%
| Useful if you have a good [[population]]. Otherwise, resources are better spent on Keep.
|-
| Keep
| Maximum Population
| 30%
| Always invest in Keep. It is the most beneficial improvement in nearly all cases. See [[Population]].
|-
| Spires
| Offensive Wizard Strength
Mana Production
Spell Protection
| 60%
| Makes your [[wizards]] and Arch Mages stronger (offense only) and boosts mana production. Reduces damage taken by [[black-ops]]. Not commonly used other than dominions which specialize in magic and black-ops. Spell protection bonus is equal to 1.5x the base bonus, capped at 50%, and is not modified by masonries.
|-
| Forges
| Offensive Power
| 30%
| Often used, especially by races with inefficient or costly offensive units.
|-
| Walls
| Defensive Power
| 30%
| Practically always used, especially by races with inefficient or costly defensive units. 
|-
| Harbor
| Food Production
Boat Production
Boat Protection
| 60%
| Often underrated improvement. By increasing food production, you need fewer [[Farms]] which saves land for other buildings. Boat bonuses are equal to 1.5x the base bonus, capped at 50%, and are not modified by masonries.
|}

== Formulas ==
 
The formula is different for Science and Keep, Forges and Walls, and Spires and Harbor.

* MAX: replaced by the maximum for the improvement (see above).
* POINTS: the amount of points you have invested in this part of your castle.
* LAND: your [[land]] size.

The formula for '''Science''' and '''Keep''' is:

<code>MAX*(1-e^(-1*POINTS/(4000*LAND+15000)))</code>

The formula for '''Forges''' and '''Walls''' is:
 
<code>MAX*(1-e^(-1*POINTS/(7500*LAND+15000)))</code>
 
The formula for '''Spires''' and '''Harbor''' is:
 
<code>MAX*(1-e^(-1*POINTS/(5000*LAND+15000)))</code>

== See Also ==

* [[Masonry]]

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