I am wondering if the vault might be valuable for some new players (in their first two weeks in game) and if so for which of them.
The vault has been improved to protect 10 advanced resources per level. So a level 3 vault would protect 30 of each advanced resource and 2500 of each basic resource and gold. Total cost to build a level 3 vault is 300 of each resource and an hour and 10 minutes of build time.
Prices of basic resources have risen substantially. Thus players have more of an incentive to hit new players just for the value of their basics. I have seen increasing number of reports of new players being repeatedly thieved even when all they have is basics. A low-level vault provides enough protection to keep building even after a theft, as well as deters thieves by preventing theft of what few advanced resources a new player might have.
So the question I am putting to vets and new players alike is whether a low-level vault is now worth recommending for many or all new players.
The cost in time and materials for a vault beyond level 3 increases quite sharply. It seems to me that upgrading the vault further is still not worth the additional cost, although I'm interested in input on that question as well.
Thanks!