buffs ... details on how they work?

i am a little confused by how the different kinds of buffs work.

for example, i just created my first mandrake gnomes. they speed up production by 4% for 6 hours... but what does that mean exactly? i have to activate the gnome before i plant the crop? what if the crop is a crop that grows longer than 6 hours? does it have any affect?

there are also some buffs that increase harvest by 25%, for example... and others add +1 or +2 to the harvest. do both these buffs work the same way? i know the +1 or +2 type buff can be activated after the field is planted. what about the % harvest increase buffs?

it would be nice to know how to use these things efficiently.

i couldn't find this info anywhere in the forums. i apologize if i missed it somewhere.
thanks in advance.

 

Hello spudsy2.

Gnomes need to be placed on the field before they will work, on that field only. There aren't any gnomes that increase crop yield.
Time reduction buffs need to be used before planting, increased harvest can be used before harvesting. Time reduction will be adjusted when the crop is planted therefore there isn't an effect when the time runs out. The Alchemy FAQ.

Can we assist you further?
Intrepideur

 

thank you Intrepideur! i understand the time reduction buffs now.

i wasn't just referring to gnomes, but to all items that work like buffs (cloud rows, pets, etc). so % harvest increase buffs must be active before planting or just before harvesting?

 

Hello spudsy2.

Harvest buffs can be used before harvesting.

Can we assist you further?
Intrepideur

 

all clear now. thank you! you can close

 

You're very welcome.

OP buff prepared closing thread