As I recall, the tech tree requirements for harvesting any resources on the map have been removed (which I sort of think there should be some, like harvesting crystal and shard shrines, but hey).
In any event, in .98 beta 4, I have not been able to build on any resources (gold depsoits, oasis, etc) with a Pioneer unit. I can build on them only if they are contiguous with an existing city. This is extremely limiting, and competely eliminates the benefit of having resources in yoru domain.
Is this a bug for a feature (i.e. documented)?
Thanks!