Slow Monarchy

[solomita]

I am playing a Prince-level game, and I decided I wanted to jump to Monarchy as quick as possible. After learning just Bronze Working, I followed the requirements for Monarchy. Monarchy wanted (something like) 40 turns to build.

I then noticed: it didn't matter what % I put into science, so long as I had more than 0% and less than 90%. All other combinations took exactly as long. And I wasn't low on cities or revenue. 10% and 80% were all still the same length of time.

There's clearly something basic I'm missing, and knowing it would help a whole lot. 8-) I left science at 10% and used all the cash to buy advances from everyone else, but that didn't get me to monarchy any faster, and now I have everything they have. I even built the Great Library and got nothing out of it.

Thanks!
-- Ethan

[Ignorance]

Yes. There is a maximum of 40 turns for any research can take.
There is also minimum of 4 turns for any tech.

So you cant research anything longer than 40 turns, and you can't research anything faster than 4 turns.

So, you maximum research rate is still too slow to reseach monarchy faster than 40 turns, so thanks to the cap, you can research it with minimum level in same time.

I suggest you take a look at the Frequently asked questions

[solomita]

I did see that in the FAQ, but I'm not sure I understand how it relates to "correct" gameplay. Presumably it shouldn't take me so long to research it. Or is that a bad assumption? Should I expect Monarchy to take 40 turns? Am I being penalized for not having researched more basic advances before going to Monarchy? Or is the answer the only other alternative -- that I was just too small?

[SpencerH]

Your research rate was just too small.

[Ethelred]

Your income was too low. This happens early in the game and Monarchy is a tad expensive till you build up your civ a bit.