Expert's Corner (by ThE_HyDrA)

Sylvan's special buildings are small but effective boosts to the town's resource demand. They are not spectacular bonuses, but then again, you get what you pay for.

At first glance, the Sparkling Fountain and the Mystic Pond may look the same, but you'll see that the water on the latter flows with greater fervour. The Sparkling Fountain is quite demanding in mercury, and also in its pre-requisites, while its gold cost is reasonable. Really only useful for sieges, and if you don't foresee any, then do not bother wasting mercury and a build turn on it. The Mystic Pond, however, is cheaper and is of global benefit, providing much needed resources at the beginning of the week. In such a resource-rich town as the Sylvan is, there should be no tentativeness in the prompt edification of this pond.

The two creature-bonus buildings are quite substantial, with one Ancient Treant offering an additional 181 HP per week, higher than any other creature bonus structure. Though its cost is quite exorbitant, and a good supply of Wood, Mercury and Sulfur will have to be collected if you'd like the Alcove/Arches and the Saplings. By contrast, the Blooming Grove is cheap and can be built early on (and should be), offering an additional 4 Sprites per week, a nice bonus for a spellcasting level 1 creature.