refineries, manufactories, etc ...

[dcaldelas]

I was just wondering if investing in that stuff is a good idea when you are already in the 1650s.
Do they will have time enough to pay off the huge amount of ducats is needed to built them?

 

[BiB]

They're worth it. 5 ducats worth of research per month is the main benefit and there's more but just for that one u alrdeay should get some.

 

[unmerged(469)]

They are no brainers. 5 bucks a month research, 12 bucks a year taxes times 1.25 modifier = 75, so around 6-12 years (depending on cost) to break even on the investment, not counting the tax benefit of a population increase which affects taxes too and the revolt modifier.

This compares very favorably with the 50 years break even on a bailiff and 100 years break even with judge.

I used to be very paranoid about losing them to looting, but I have come to the tentative conclusion that provinces only loot when enemy troops (or enemy troops + friendly troops) exceed province supply, which can be hard to do in large provinces. So build them in "safe" provinces or very high population provinces.

 

[unmerged(2073)]

Certainly get them at the lower cost but if you have more than 10 then the pay back time can increase significantly. Does the 12D go to Production or Tax Income. I think it's the latter in which case should it not also contribute to annual census taxes.

And don't forget that refineries add 1% to the trade percentage. Goods manufactories do likewise for the infrastructure percentage.

Generally the answer is to build a few early when you can afford it. Then, when you get a lot richer, save up and build a lot at once.