The Ultimate Guide to Fields in Banished: Finding the Perfect Fit
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What is the best field in Banished? The most effective field size in Banished is a nuanced question, depending on what you’re trying to optimize. However, based on in-game mechanics and player experience, a crop field of approximately 121 squares (e.g., 11×11) tends to strike the best balance between maximizing yield and minimizing risk of crop loss due to frost with a single farmer. For orchards, a 13×13 square with one worker is often recommended due to its ease of management and consistent output. While a 15×15 can yield the highest efficiency per worker, the small gains are often not worth the risk of frost damage. This article will delve into the details, explaining why certain sizes and crop choices work best, and answer frequently asked questions to help you become a Banished farming master.
Crop Fields: Size Matters
The 15×15 Myth and Why It Falls Short
Many players initially gravitate towards the 15×15 crop field due to its high area efficiency per worker. While it’s true that a 15×15 field (225 squares) allows a single farmer to manage 56.25 squares, this approach is prone to significant issues. In Banished, frost is a real threat, and a larger field is more susceptible to total crop loss from early frost. The slight increase in efficiency is often outweighed by the risk of an entire harvest being wiped out.
The Goldilocks Zone: 11×11 Fields
The consensus among veteran players is that a field of around 121 squares, or 11×11, provides the “safest” approach. This size allows a single farmer to manage a substantial amount of land while mitigating the risk of devastating frost damage. Other sizes in the 110-130 square range, like 8×14, 9×13, 8×15, 10×12, and 9×14 are also viable, but 11×11 provides an easy-to-remember and consistent size.
Crop Choice: Beans vs. Squash
While field size is critical, the crop you choose to plant also significantly impacts your harvest. Beans are the fastest-growing crop in Banished, often reaching 100% yield during the summer. This allows for harvests to begin in early autumn, providing a vital food source to prepare for winter. Squash offers excellent cold resistance, surviving temperatures as low as -2°C. This makes it a reliable option in areas prone to early frosts. Using a combination of both beans and squash can ensure a more stable food supply throughout the year.
Laborer Role After Harvest
It’s crucial to understand that once all crops have been harvested from the field, the farmers will then act as laborers. This means they contribute to tasks such as resource gathering and construction, making them valuable members of your town, even when not actively involved in farming.
Orchards: Finding the Right Balance
The 13×13 Orchard: A Player Favorite
When it comes to orchards, the size and worker ratios are equally important. A 13×13 orchard with one worker is often recommended as the optimal setup. This size offers the best balance between output and ease of management, producing approximately 800-900 units of fruit per year once fully established. You don’t have to consider orientation either when building a square orchard, which makes them simple to lay out.
The 15×15 Orchard: Efficient but Risky
While a 15×15 orchard offers the highest area efficiency per worker, like with crop fields, it comes with similar risks. Inefficient management or delays in harvesting could result in a substantial loss of fruit due to spoilage. Although each farmer is technically managing 75 squares which is a good ratio, it is simply a bit too large.
The 15×4 or 4×15 Orchard: Tree Efficiency
The strategy for tree efficiency is different. When it comes to the best tree efficiency per tile, an orchard with a configuration of 15×4 (or 4×15) stands out. This narrow configuration maximizes the number of trees with one worker, at about 16 trees in 60 tiles, with a rate of 3.75 tiles per tree.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 common questions about fields in Banished, answered to help you fine-tune your town’s food production:
1. How many workers should I assign to a field or orchard?
Generally, one worker per field or orchard is ideal. Adding more workers does not linearly increase output and can actually decrease efficiency due to worker interference.
2. What happens if my farm or orchard is too large?
If a field is too large, you risk losing all your crops from frost if harvested too slowly. Similarly, an oversized orchard can lead to fruit spoilage if the single worker can’t keep up.
3. Which crop is best for beginners?
Beans are generally recommended for beginners due to their quick growth cycle and reliable yield.
4. How important is location for crop fields?
Location is crucial. Fields located in areas with less tree cover and with flat ground will be more productive. Flat land with few obstructions allows for easier management.
5. Can I build my fields anywhere?
While you can build fields almost anywhere, areas with rocky terrain or steep slopes will not produce well and are best to avoid.
6. Can I use laborers to help with the harvest?
No, laborers cannot assist in the harvesting process. Only assigned farmers can do that. But once the harvesting is done, the farmers become laborers.
7. Do orchards require specific soil types?
No, orchards do not require specific soil types. They will grow in most locations, but location still makes a slight difference.
8. Can I change the type of trees in an orchard?
Yes, you can change the type of trees in an orchard. You must first remove all of the old trees and then reassign a new tree type in order to avoid disease spreading.
9. How can I prevent crop loss due to frost?
Smaller fields (around 121 squares) and planting frost-resistant crops like squash are key to preventing frost-related losses.
10. Do foresters interfere with crop fields or orchards?
Yes, foresters can interfere with crop fields and orchards. Be mindful of placing foresters too close, as they will clear all the trees around.
11. How does soil fertility affect crops?
Soil fertility is not a mechanic of Banished, so does not affect your crops.
12. How does game difficulty affect crop output?
Game difficulty does not directly impact crop output, but it can influence your ability to manage resources, potentially indirectly affecting yields.
13. How do I know when it’s time to harvest?
Crops visually change appearance as they mature. Once they reach 100%, the harvest can begin.
14. Do I need storage for my crops?
Yes, storage buildings like barns and markets are crucial for storing your harvest. Without storage, crops will spoil.
15. How can I best plan my town’s food production?
Begin with a Gatherer’s Hut for early food, then implement small crop fields (around 121 squares) of a mix of beans and squash and an orchard after your population grows. This provides a balanced and sustainable approach to food production.
Conclusion
Understanding the intricacies of field size and crop choice in Banished is essential for long-term success. While the 15×15 might look appealing on paper, in practice, a 11×11 field for crops and a 13×13 orchard often provides the most balanced and reliable results. Experimentation is key to finding what works best in your particular game scenario, but these guidelines provide an excellent starting point. By understanding these principles and mastering your fields, you can ensure a thriving and well-fed population in your Banished town.