AI's inability to go for key military techs

[BigWilly1974]

While I find the AI to be improved overall, which is great, I'm still a little surprised that the AIs tend to opt for peaceful techs rather than key military techs.

I always shoot for key military techs, upgrade units or build the new elite troops, and then wage war. Consequently, even if I'm behind in either technology or score overall, I end up usually fighting wars where I have a distinct advantage in quality of units, usually starting with either the Maceman or Knight.

Anyone else think the AI would be a real bear if they managed to understand the importance of tech superiority, even if only in defense?

[Blaupanzer]

The AI most likely considers cost and time in picking the next tech. The SP will beeline or go deep for a needed tech. I suspect the AI will not do this often. Agg and Prot leaders should do this too, but I haven't seen it in the few games I've played.

[Jvstin]

The AI does seem to go for key techs.

If you should get them first, unless you have atrocious relations with the AI, they will eagerly trade you for it.


Monarchy and Currency are two big early ones that, if I get first, the AI seems to love to want to trade for.

[BigWilly1974]

Once I get those key military techs, I never trade them. I want to maintain the tech superiority of armaments as long as possible. I don't trade it to friendlies even, as I don't want them to turn around and trade it to the other AIs.

[yin26]

No Tech Brokering is your friend in this case.

[Jaybe]

I've played my first BtS game with No Tech Brokering, but I have concluded that it violates a principle of humanity -- knowledge and ideas leak, usually via trade or visitors returning to their homes.

[Blaupanzer]

Spies can steal techs even with no brokering on.

[CreepyD]

I always play with No Tech Trading at all.
Much more fun! Every player for himself then, no ganging up which can be frustrating.
It seems that AI's will mostly not beeline for anything, systematically acquiring ALL techs before moving on.

When I reached the future era last game and built the Internet, it gave me 5-6 early techs which I skipped.
e.g. archery, horseback riding, Divine right.

[Jvstin]

Originally posted by CreepyD
I always play with No Tech Trading at all.
Much more fun! Every player for himself then, no ganging up which can be frustrating.
It seems that AI's will mostly not beeline for anything, systematically acquiring ALL techs before moving on.

When I reached the future era last game and built the Internet, it gave me 5-6 early techs which I skipped.
e.g. archery, horseback riding, Divine right.

You skipped Archery?!?

[onodera]

If you're on an island you don't need archers to protect yourself and you get musketeers before you (and your enemies) get galleons.

[CreepyD]

I beelined for iron working and settled with warriors in the mean time. Struggled at first, but it paid off.

[Jvstin]

Originally posted by CreepyD
I beelined for iron working and settled with warriors in the mean time. Struggled at first, but it paid off.

Good grief, with raging barbarians and a heavy land map, that would be asking for all sorts of trouble (or praying for luck)

[Blaupanzer]

Not so bad if you can keep all of the island visible through warrior/scout deployment. The barbs arise only on squares out-of-sight of the civilized. The no tech trading was quite lucky for him in this case. Usually an isolated start means that you are way behind the rest of the world in science.

[Arrian]

On normal barb settings, it's perfectly viable. In fact, I do that all the time (ignore archery).

-Arrian