Research discussion

[AdamTG02]

Industrial Base does seem attractive for the above reasons. Another tech we may want to prioritize is Planetary Networks, given the fact that the Angels start with it and they will likely be in competition with us for the Virtual World. But on the marin, I agre with Archaic -- anythng that gets us Industrial Economics faster is a good thing for us in the long run.

So, first priority Biogenetics, second priority Industrial Base. Any objections to that preference ordering?

[moomin]

That seems a good order. Still, I hope we get a shot at SotHB directly.

Are we gonna start queueing prod for VW in UB soon?

[GeneralTacticus]

We'll need crawlers if we want to do it with any kind of speed - as well as mines on those mineral bonus squares.

[Archaic]

If we can manage it, we probably want to see if we can try and avoid queueing any projects, instead just crawler and credit instabuilding them. If people can see you're going for a project they want, they'll go to obscene lengths to stop you getting it. I'd much rather sneak up on them.

[GeneralTacticus]

Good point.

[Archaic]

And for anyone who wants to say that upgrading crawlers is a dispicable and unethical tactic.......I ask you to remember just what faction you're in here. ^^;

[Alex]

No need to worry about this latter aspect, Archaic. We all have our priorities well established...

[moomin]

I take your words for it, gentlemen of the faculty. My own experience with crawler upgrades is quite limited - never needed it to snag every single wonder against the AI on transcend. But then we're playing real people here.

However, given that we won't have crawler tech for a while, wouldn't queing something still be worthwile?

[GeneralTacticus]

Actually, we should get crawler tech quite soon - we'll have SoftHB in 3 turns or so, which will then give us Ind. Base for free, and it shouldn't take more than 10 turns or so to get the remaining three techs.

[moomin]

Is it safe to asssume we'll get to choose the techs we want each time?

[GeneralTacticus]

It would be wise to assume we'll miss some, but missing one or two shouldn't have a huge impact. Just move thigns back 2-3 turns.

[AdamTG02]

Going with our previous beeline idea, is it safe to assume that for the next two techs, we agree on the following priorities? First,

1) Industrial Base
2) Planetary Networks

And then, assuming we're successful in getting IndBase,

1) Industrial Economics
2) Planetary Networks

This will get us to Industrial Automation with all possible speed. However, since we'll be getting two techs in close succession, it's possible that neither of these three technologies will be an option in one of the menus. For this reason, I suggest we choose a third choice tech.

I would like to suggest Ethical Calculus for the third-choice technology. It allows for Children's Creches, which will be invaluable when we want to build our population up, and it gives us Democracy, which we'll want to switch to once we've finished our expansionist phase. Perhaps more importantly, it enables Gene Splicing, which lifts nutrient restrictions and is a preq for lifting mineral restrictions (and from there to energy).

What do you think this technology should be? Are the above preference orderings okay with everyone? At the risk of sounding repetetive, the floor is open.

[Archaic]

All sounds good to me.

[GeneralTacticus]

And to me

[Alex]

Yep.

(I hate being repetitive, but great minds think alike )

EDIT: the "pride" smiley doesn't work.