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[Microprose Veteran]

Shorbe: yeah, I don't like micro management that much. Anything I build in the New World is for free, so I figure I don't need that much money each turn. Just enough to buy skilled colonists and the odd frigate.

If you intend to live peacefully with the natives, missions are a must. Missions in enemy territory are also important because they make relations between natives and your enemies troublesome, leading to native raids etc., making life difficult for your enemies.

Another good use of the missionary is the fact that he doesn't even need to found a mission. You can send him to a native settlement and 'incite the natives to war' against one or more of your enemies. The natives want gold in return, but depending on their current relationship with the enemy colonists, they may lower their demands.

Incidentally, I remember you said you don't have a big military, 'just two units per colony.' Well, I don't have a big military either. I use the 'horseman strategy from Civilization,' meaning that whenever war breaks out, I can quickly assemble an army, leaving most of my colonies undefended. It can be hazardous yeah, but so was colonial life in reality.

Currently I'm fighting my War Of Independence against the Dutch king. He's only got 55 infantry, 7 cavalry and 11 artillery left. Sigh, gets boring quickly this war. 8,000 Libery Bells are already here.