FYI, some technologies in OF require AF goods.
No kidding. Seems like my statement contained that bit of wisdom...at least to most folks.
I did have a stockpile of AF goods but I used them all up by searching for Promethium.
Yeah, I have a city in VF, so that lame excuse isn't going to fly here. This is just another self-confessed instance of poor planning.
Would you play a game of chess after planning out all the moves and counter moves and determining a winner?
Have you ever played chess against a really good player? Planning out moves and counter moves is the essence of the game.
Even football coaches only plan for at least four plays after 1st down.
Demonstrably wrong. In fact, some coaches script the first 15 or more plays they're going to run in a game. Coaches in fact spend their entire work existence planning for every possible situation in a game. During the season, teams have backup players simulate the upcoming opponent (called a scout team) to get the first team ready for their opponent's in-game tendencies.
I play all kinds of games. Computer games. Board games. Card games. Unless a game relies entirely on luck, planning and looking ahead is essential to playing any game well. And the key to actually enjoying the game. For example, I have a city that has gone through OF without running short of AF or OF goods. I have also always made sure I had enough of the special goods. As a result, I was able to get from FE to VF in an enjoyable manner. Never thought the game was unfair, or that I was the victim of other players not posting trades. I took my time in AF and built up enough of both AF goods and Promethium to last me through the next two ages. And when I did recently run a little short on Promethium, I was able to easily go to the Arctic Harbor and send the ship out for more without worrying about having enough goods. No stress. No running to the market to frantically search for trades. Just set it and wait for it to come back. Most players would say that my way is more fun than stressing over running out of goods due to not planning. But, as
@RazorbackPirate would say, you do you.