What is the Fascination with Parking?

[Jools1956]

As was said several times above, you need to park from time to time to advance your GB's to the current era just to stay relevant with GE/GvG and your plundering neighbors.

But parking a city is so much more then only this.

Parking a city have a snowball effect on the GB leveling.
You can use all your FP to advance your GB's (preferably through FP swaps).
You can farm the GE. Level 4 is hard. You need some time in an era before you can do it consistently every week. (don't forget to build ToR ASAP). You get even more FP's, goods, medals that you can invest into your city. Hopefully you get the FP buildings (terrace/SSW) and you start to make more FP consistently every day.
As the GB's level up you get more and more stuff (goods and what ever the GB is about). You use it to get Arc goods. You build the Arc -
The Arc even snowball your city more, as the rewards get bigger and bigger.
If you choose a good age (HMA, CA, ME are the best) you can use HQS system and boost your Goods/Medals/FP to new highes. With this FP's you even snowball harder.
In order to do GE4 easily, you push to the next age quests, and get the next age troops. Suddenly GE become so easy. But you cant go up an age, cause then you wont have the next age troops....
You have the space to put up gold buildings. Which you turn to FP. Snowball the whole shebang even more.

So, if you park correctly, over time, you can advance your city much faster then if you advance a bit, then park a bit and so on. And you can feel the snowball effect quite fast (in this game it means weeks).

Ah, the existential dilemma................do I deconstruct my beautiful quaint little Middle Age village with it's monastery and SoK placed next to the Cathedral off in the woods, the market street with the Carnavasary and Bazaar next to the Wishing Well placed off the Lighthouse for the visitors to shop, my town square, etc. etc. so I can plop down an Arc and a spaceship. (A little over the top, huh?) Seems the consensus would be yes if I want to "win" at this game. I think I'll take the middle road and plod along (letting the snowball roll slowly) with a little of this and a little of that trying to stay true to the era. UNTIL I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!!! LOL.

Thanks everyone for all your input, you're the best!

 

[Algona]

I've parked three times. Mostly because the particular Age was fun or because I needed to do a lot of learning..

Spent a year in ProgE. Fun and I had a HELL of a lot to learn. I'd still be there if I'd been smart. Everyone loves Traz and Chateau Goods. The fighting was fun and since I had not done any fighting at all in the previous Eras, learned a lot. GE came out, so I had to learn that. Leveling attack GBs became important, I didn't even have CoA until then. I got on a heater with Seasonal Events and figured those out. I also figured out the joys of Arc, how to snipe for fun and profit while garnering enough Medals to put up all the Expansions I could want. Also wanted to be well set for the changes in Modern. Leveled a bunch of Goods GBs.

Finally jumped into Modern. Hated it. Spent two weeks there, jumped inro PME. Settled in there, again it was a fun Era. 6 months there before moving into Comtemp.

I loves me some CE! May never leave. Unrefined Goods are ProgE, so everyone is wanting those. Inno Tower Goods sell well. And the fighting is a blast. Battle all the way throguh GE 4. AA and Choppers FTW!

I can;t imagine parking in an Era that's not fun! It'd be horrid to be stuck in Modern trying to make up for the mistakes I had made in the preceding Ages. I was lucky enough (Thanks Ruby Rainfall and Glarg!) to have ywo mentors that kept me from making some of the horrible mistakes of tech and Cmap rushing and explain some subtleties that opened up new vistas.

So I'll sit in CE happily discovering new aspects of this game, like how yo work with new players... Because it's fun!

And it is cool to be always in the top 5 of the hood.

One thing SjS noted: GE gets a lot tougher as you Age up. But you know what? The ultimate prizes in GE are the same (TF, SSW, 100 FP Relics, Diamonds) no matter the Era. So why not get the goodies at an earlier easier Era?

Pitch a tent, put a full pot of coffee on the campfire, and enjoy yourself.

 

[Jools1956]

I've parked three times. Mostly because the particular Age was fun or because I needed to do a lot of learning..

Spent a year in ProgE. Fun and I had a HELL of a lot to learn. I'd still be there if I'd been smart. Everyone loves Traz and Chateau Goods. The fighting was fun and since I had not done any fighting at all in the previous Eras, learned a lot. GE came out, so I had to learn that. Leveling attack GBs became important, I didn't even have CoA until then. I got on a heater with Seasonal Events and figured those out. I also figured out the joys of Arc, how to snipe for fun and profit while garnering enough Medals to put up all the Expansions I could want. Also wanted to be well set for the changes in Modern. Leveled a bunch of Goods GBs.

Finally jumped into Modern. Hated it. Spent two weeks there, jumped inro PME. Settled in there, again it was a fun Era. 6 months there before moving into Comtemp.

I loves me some CE! May never leave. Unrefined Goods are ProgE, so everyone is wanting those. Inno Tower Goods sell well. And the fighting is a blast. Battle all the way throguh GE 4. AA and Choppers FTW!

I can;t imagine parking in an Era that's not fun! It'd be horrid to be stuck in Modern trying to make up for the mistakes I had made in the preceding Ages. I was lucky enough (Thanks Ruby Rainfall and Glarg!) to have ywo mentors that kept me from making some of the horrible mistakes of tech and Cmap rushing and explain some subtleties that opened up new vistas.

So I'll sit in CE happily discovering new aspects of this game, like how yo work with new players... Because it's fun!

And it is cool to be always in the top 5 of the hood.

One thing SjS noted: GE gets a lot tougher as you Age up. But you know what? The ultimate prizes in GE are the same (TF, SSW, 100 FP Relics, Diamonds) no matter the Era. So why not get the goodies at an earlier easier Era?

Pitch a tent, put a full pot of coffee on the campfire, and enjoy yourself.

OUTSTANDING POST! Thank you for the time it took! "Yep, gonna" park my self right here in little old LMA (once I get that last expansion....) and throw everything at the "GB wall". But if you visit, don't expect to see a spaceship - there "be no spaceships here".

 

[Mustapha00]

To each, their own- the last thing I'm going to do is criticize someone for their style of play (mainly because there is much to criticize about my own, so that would be projection on my part).

I, personally, find Parking to be boring. Not having reached endgame yet on any of my worlds, there's still a huge part of the game waiting for me to explore. I'm the first to agree that there were some Ages in which fighting other players was easier than it is in others, especially after some of the real experts here tip you off on the better strategeries. But the bug to advance gnaws at me until I give in to it and I get to start all over at the bottom in a new Age fairly soon.

But that's just me and the way my mind works (or doesn't- opinions vary). If you find hanging out in a particular Age is beneficial to you, maybe because there's a GB you want to level or goods that you can make that you can trade (probably along with Forge Points) for goods you need to build a particular GB (as Algona- I think- pointed out, some lower Age goods are more sought-after than others- Paper and Coffee, anyone?), or maybe because you can dominate an earlier Age tower in your Neighborhood (yes, I have one that once or twice). All of those are compelling reasons to Park for a while. But it all boils down to you, your style of play and what you want to achieve in the game.

 

[Jools1956]

To each, their own- the last thing I'm going to do is criticize someone for their style of play (mainly because there is much to criticize about my own, so that would be projection on my part).

I, personally, find Parking to be boring. Not having reached endgame yet on any of my worlds, there's still a huge part of the game waiting for me to explore. I'm the first to agree that there were some Ages in which fighting other players was easier than it is in others, especially after some of the real experts here tip you off on the better strategeries. But the bug to advance gnaws at me until I give in to it and I get to start all over at the bottom in a new Age fairly soon.

But that's just me and the way my mind works (or doesn't- opinions vary). If you find hanging out in a particular Age is beneficial to you, maybe because there's a GB you want to level or goods that you can make that you can trade (probably along with Forge Points) for goods you need to build a particular GB (as Algona- I think- pointed out, some lower Age goods are more sought-after than others- Paper and Coffee, anyone?), or maybe because you can dominate an earlier Age tower in your Neighborhood (yes, I have one that once or twice). All of those are compelling reasons to Park for a while. But it all boils down to you, your style of play and what you want to achieve in the game.

Great points. I think parking WILL be boring, don't know how they do it for so long. But, going to stay here a little while and see how it goes. I did get too far ahead on the continent map as well during the fall event, so I'm really stuck. (I have EWS - event withdrawal syndrome). It will be hard to sit out the next two, but a little discipline is good for the soul.................

 

[DeletedUser]

I loves me some CE! May never leave. Unrefined Goods are ProgE, so everyone is wanting those. Inno Tower Goods sell well. And the fighting is a blast. Battle all the way throguh GE 4. AA and Choppers FTW!

I can;t imagine parking in an Era that's not fun! It'd be horrid to be stuck in Modern trying to make up for the mistakes I had made in the preceding Ages. I was lucky enough (Thanks Ruby Rainfall and Glarg!) to have ywo mentors that kept me from making some of the horrible mistakes of tech and Cmap rushing and explain some subtleties that opened up new vistas.

So I'll sit in CE happily discovering new aspects of this game, like how yo work with new players... Because it's fun!

I recently advanced my main city to Tomorrow Era, and I have regretted it from day one. CE is the bomb, as they say!

 

[DeletedUser31592]

CA is probably the best to park in. Clockmakers are small and if you can build a CF, you can set yourself up well with the recurring quests. LMA isn't bad to park in, either. PE is one where I didn't find parking fun or lucrative, but necessary.
I kind of feel cheated. The Arc didn't exist until I was in about PE. And then it was hard to find and get BPs for. When I started the CF was hard to find, so it was impossible to build early. New players who join the established worlds have a huge early advantage compared to those of us who've been playing for years. Plus, events were few and far between, so all of these premium/specialty buildings weren't around, either. Oh, and no GE until like a year ago.

I am semi-closing to moving up from PME to CE. I only research when it is part of an event and the reward is worth it. The upcoming Gahndi questline? Not worth it. I will skip it. Halloween, I will participate. So I will move to CE whenever the events push me there. Hopefully my goods are in better shape by then. My current goods are spent on GE mostly. It took me months of up-trading to get the goods for a few GBs that are above my era. Should have just bought them with FPs, I suppose. I'm done with that unless I get the last couple of BPs for a DT.

 

[Algona]

OUTSTANDING POST! Thank you for the time it took! "Yep, gonna" park my self right here in little old LMA (once I get that last expansion....) and throw everything at the "GB wall". But if you visit, don't expect to see a spaceship - there "be no spaceships here".

I think parking WILL be boring,

Savvy Recurring Quests? Helps alleviate while simultaneously adds to the boredom of parking. Essentially allows you to get bonus goodies for doing exactly what you are already doing.

Sorta what JCers is referring to above.

 

[DeletedUser26154]

Savvy Recurring Quests?

That's how I make most of my Ocean Future Goods.



I'm finished with all the Story quests and Ocean Future continent map, so I have access to three Recurring Quests.

The Chateau Frontenac Great Building boosts Quest Rewards.




So each Recurring Quest rewards me with 15 Goods instead of 5, when Goods are the reward.
I do about 20 Recurring Quests a day when I do my Routine Daily Collections.
More R.Q.s when I burn through excess coins and supplies.
On average, about a third of my R.Q.s give me Goods, so that's at least 90 Ocean Future Goods a day, for free.

Once you get yourself set up well with the Right Great Buildings...
And find that Groove with the Recurring Quests...
Your city becomes self-sufficient.
You are much less dependent on outside trades to acquire what you need.



You will not have to rely on Goods Buildings for your tech tree advancement.

[Done Editing]

 

[DeletedUser27889]

Everyone else already hit most of the major points on the benefits of parking. I'm a big parker myself and while I know most casual players think it's to be a bully to the hood, that's not why most people do it.

All the benefits listed here are very true but on a personal gaming level I just do not find changing eras fun. I enjoy GBs, working to get them in lower levels and working to level them as well. There is also the added benefit of doing RQs, some eras are much better than others to sit in and gather goodies. As you advance HQs become more difficult.

LMA seems for many to be the natural stopping point and I too sat there for about 9 months. If I had to do it over again I would recommend CA instead. CA goods will need to be refined later so you will have a much higher need for them than LMA goods. So while you're parking may as well collect goods that have a purpose later on. Also the clockmaker RQ is quite efficient if you have room.

This is much more than the simple city builder game it advertises itself as on TV. It can be very in depth and require a lot of strategy. That being said this is a game, it's meant to be enjoyed. If you don't find sitting around in eras forever enjoyable then you shouldn't do it. You will certainly do better in the game the more your strategize and build yourself up but your game shouldn't become your chore.

A good guild would go a long way towards helping you realize a lot of the ins and outs of the game and also help you progress. Unfortunately with you being on mobile a lot of the ways to strategize just aren't there for you. You don't have access to GvG which may be why you see yourself starting to slip on the towers. You can't use global and you can't access guild profiles and the ranking system to find a good guild. You also can't pop into global to find specific people in your world. There is a browser called puffin which you can download and log into the game on your mobile device which will allow you to use the desktop version of the game. They are trying to streamline the game so mobile and browser players have the same experience but it just isn't there yet.

The forums a great place to ask questions and you might luck out if you tell us your world someone could point you towards a good guild that exists there. The wikia is another fantastic tool http://forgeofempires.wikia.com/wiki/Forge_of_Empires_Wiki

Also, I noticed you said you played ahead and would need to sit out several events to park in LMA. I think parking is best undertaken when entering a new era on the tech tree and on Cmap. For that alone I think you'd be best advancing to CA and parking there prior to the next event. Historical Questlines are one thing to miss out on but the larger events, next will be Winter, could really make a big difference in a players game. Getting rogue hideouts, champs, SoKs, these will all make parking pay off more and be easier. If you do decide to advance then park, only unlock the techs you must for the event, same with Cmap to allow you to park longer. If you're a patient person you don't even need to unlock clockmakers to do that RQ, you can win them in GE and in events. It would then be up to you if you'd like to abort all the side missions to unlock the RQs. I've found though it seems like a waste, I waste more waiting until I can complete a side quest and not having the RQs available to me. Pretty much whatever I can't do the day I enter the new era, I abort.

Sorry for the super long post. I've been making that a habit lately =)

 

[DeletedUser29623]

Sorry for the super long post. I've been making that a habit lately =)

Don’t apologize! This is very helpful.

 

[Jools1956]

Don’t apologize! This is very helpful.

Thanks for the reply - super great info. Actually, braindead - I'm in HMA not LMA, not that this makes a difference.
Unfortunately with you being on mobile a lot of the ways to strategize just aren't there for you. -- I think I'll pull out my old laptop and use that - should make a difference, can't use my PC, was hit by ransomware a while back and that cost a pretty penny to get my files back. My tech guru said under no circumstances should I play any games on my PC? At any rate - thanks for the time and great info!

 

[Jools1956]

That's how I make most of my Ocean Future Goods.

View attachment 7752

I'm finished with all the Story quests and Ocean Future continent map, so I have access to three Recurring Quests.

The Chateau Frontenac Great Building boosts Quest Rewards.

View attachment 7753
View attachment 7754

So each Recurring Quest rewards me with 15 Goods instead of 5, when Goods are the reward.
I do about 20 Recurring Quests a day when I do my Routine Daily Collections.
More R.Q.s when I burn through excess coins and supplies.
On average, about a third of my R.Q.s give me Goods, so that's at least 90 Ocean Future Goods a day, for free.

Once you get yourself set up well with the Right Great Buildings...
And find that Groove with the Recurring Quests...
Your city becomes self-sufficient.
You are much less dependent on outside trades to acquire what you need.

View attachment 7756

You will not have to rely on Goods Buildings for your tech tree advancement.

[Done Editing]

Already making progress -- my ToR yielded 20 forge points this a.m. WHOO HOO! Not a big deal to you heavy hitters, but to a little fish like me, a big deal. Plus a tribal square earlier. So, my faith is restored!

 

[Jools1956]

Thanks for the reply - super great info. Actually, braindead - I'm in HMA not LMA, not that this makes a difference.
Unfortunately with you being on mobile a lot of the ways to strategize just aren't there for you. -- I think I'll pull out my old laptop and use that - should make a difference, can't use my PC, was hit by ransomware a while back and that cost a pretty penny to get my files back. My tech guru said under no circumstances should I play any games on my PC? At any rate - thanks for the time and great info!

Oops - Manda - this was meant for you, sorry Laura. Time for coffee

 

[DeletedUser29055]

Great posts.

For me, FoE is a long-term game, so parking in an age to build your city, build up fps stack, build up good inventory, build up your GBs is part of the game is essential and unavoidable. I do wonder in what age players are who say that parking is boring ... or it may be another play style that does not require parking (which one is that - serious question).

But, without building up GB, goods, and fps, I don't think one can successfully compete in higher ages. I am only in PE in my main city, but without higher attacks I couldn't compete in GE. Without my good buildings and inventory, I couldn't complete in GE (level 4). Without a good defense I would be attacked regularly. Building up these GB takes time.

I have been in PE for a while and it is still fun. I do GE weekly, PvP almost every day, build up my Arc, build up other GB (good, attack, and defense), and I even may skip the Halloween event because it would push me into modern and I still enjoy PE too much to leave it yet. And being in the top 5 every week in my neighborhood - well, let's say, it doesn't feel bad ...

 

[DeletedUser31498]

not super related, but active post so thought id jump in. I play on mobile, so is there any way to earn medals other than RQ, ToR rewards, and GB donations? like pvp attacking doesnt add to that right? doing the gvg is the only other way?

 

[DeletedUser27889]

like pvp attacking doesnt add to that right?

There are neighborhood towers for each age. Essentially whoever scores the most battle points that week wins the top contenders receive medals. There are GBs that provide medals (I don't recommend them especially not Colosseum) there are event buildings. Shrine of Awe and Pole House as well as some others. Victory Towers which can be found during events and in GE which age with you without need for renos, fit in a 1x1 square with no road connection and can be collected from once a week. Medals are a prize in GE and during events.

By far the best way to get a lot quickly is GB donation.

 

[DeletedUser31498]

There are neighborhood towers for each age. Essentially whoever scores the most battle points that week wins the top contenders receive medals. There are GBs that provide medals (I don't recommend them especially not Colosseum) there are event buildings. Shrine of Awe and Pole House as well as some others. Victory Towers which can be found during events and in GE which age with you without need for renos, fit in a 1x1 square with no road connection and can be collected from once a week. Medals are a prize in GE and during events.

By far the best way to get a lot quickly is GB donation.

so the neighborhood towers, how do I see these? is it from fighting people in my hood? or do i need a pc and do the GvG battling?

 

[DeletedUser27889]

so the neighborhood towers, how do I see these? is it from fighting people in my hood? or do i need a pc and do the GvG battling?

It's the points from every battle a player has done. PvP, GE and GvG combined. You would need to be playing on browser to do GvG.

I'm not too sure on how to check the towers from mobile. I *think* you need to load your Cmap and click on each tower individually but I could be wrong there, it's been awhile since I played the mobile version.

 

[Jools1956]

so the neighborhood towers, how do I see these? is it from fighting people in my hood? or do i need a pc and do the GvG battling?

On mobile - as Manda said. Lower left corner, click on the map icon. Push your "won" provinces around until you see a tower. Click on that (right on it, if not you'll get the sector, not the tower). That will pull up that "provinces" listing. There are arrow buttons at the top (left and right) to scroll forward and backward.