United States
Danbury
Connecticut
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Currency earns 1 extra VP per area controlled.
Slavery earns 1 VP per enemy army (not fort) eliminated (killed permanently)
Currency gives 0 bonus armies; slavery gives 3
The first thing to note is that the 3 additional armies granted by Slavery is about equal to the ability to capture one additional area per turn. Some areas cost more than 3 and some less, but as an average, 3 is about right (it also happens to be the base cost of every area except Forest at the start of the game). So, over the course of your empire's life, you can expect to conquer one additional province per turn, or slightly less than that on a crowded board.
Slavery gives its bonus only for conquest (the only way to kill an enemy army) while Currency is more passive, earning points every turn even if you sit idle and don't attack anyone.
For example, assume a Currency empire conquers 4 areas on its first turn. It will score 8 VPs (ignoring mountains and other bonuses). Assuming the targeted areas each contained an enemy army, a Slavery empire would earn the same number of points on its first turn.
Next turn, Currency could sit idle, simply protecting its gains, and earn 8 more points. Slavery, however, would have to attack 2 more areas in order to break even with Currency: 4 points for its starting areas, plus 2 points for two enemies killed, plus 2 points for the two new conquered areas. Slavery now extends over 6 areas, Currency over a more compact (and defensible) 4. However, recall that Slavery had 3 additional armies. Depending on the geography of the empire, Slavery may be able to maintain the same number of armies in border areas as Currency, but in most cases this is doubtful. Therefore, Slavery has extended itself more dangerously in pursuit of the same number of victory points. In addition, the 3 extra armies are really only enough for Slavery to keep ahead of Currency by one area. Slavery having to conquer two additonal areas extends it further than Currency, which is dangerous for the defense.
Empty areas, generally very attractive in the game, are less useful for Slavery than Currency.
It seems clear that, all else being equal, Currency is preferred over Slavery. However, is it worth giving up 2 VP's in order to pass over Slavery to get Currency? Possibly. If a typical empire lasts 3 active turns before declining (probably the average is slightly less than 3, but certainly more than 2), Currency would have to out-score Slavery by 1 point per turn in order to reward the VP's given up in passing it by (and this does not account for the fact that some OTHER player will GET those VP's). It seems likely that Currency could average 1 point more than Slavery each turn.
In conclusion, I would likely pay 2 VP to pass over Slavery in favor of Currency, but depending on who I thought might benefit from those 2 VP's, I might not. I conclude that Currency is worth 2-3 VP's more than Slavery, all things being equal.
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Rich P
United Kingdom
Sheffield
United Kingdom
I didn't know what to do with my UberBadge, so I left it as a GeekBadge.
Back home after a world tour. How quickly a year goes...
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Interesting analysis. My gut feeling has always been that Currency is something of a trap. The '0 tokens' is really punishing - you never have enough to conquer many areas to take advantage of the +1VPs for each. Slavery is OK, but far from my favourite tile to take, although it is quite fun to strike fear into your opponents. They daren't leave a single token in any area in case you get it into your head to enslave it.
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United States
Danbury
Connecticut
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Yeah, this was only to compare Slavery vs. currency. Both of them are a bit on the weak side. They're very situational; sometimes what's going on on the board makes them somewhat chancy to take.
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W M Shubert
United States
Portland
Oregon
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Yes, I really am that awesome.
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I think that especially currency depends a lot on how your opponents play. If they quickly say "Hey, xxx is getting too many points from currency, let's wipe him out," then currency will not do well; you have so few tokens, just one aggressive opponent will crush you completely. But if your play group is more willing to leave you alone as long as you are out of their way, then currency can make quite a few points before somebody finally has a reason to be where you are.
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And keep in mind that a tiny Currency civ won't get you many points when in decline, whereas a more numerous Slavery civ, though less profitable when active, might earn you more points (for it will likely be more expanded) when going into decline.
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