Blind Research : Next Techs

[Yxklyx]

Is there a way to list all the techs that you may be able to learn next with blind research on? Is there a hotkey that shows the tech-tree from a larger perspective?

[Fitz]

Unfortuntaly, I don't think there is any way to enlarge the tech tree. However, after the first turn of researching, the f2 tech screen will always show the correct color for the next tech being researched (its always red on the first turn). If you dont have the tech tree map that came with the early releases of the game, you can still do some minimal research on the f2 screen to see which tech of that color are coming up for you (usually 2-3, and the ones you have are bright white, the ones you don't dark).

If you want to know 80% of the time what's next, print out the alpha.txt (alphax.txt for Alien Crossfire) section about the techs. Each tech has four values (Build, Conquer, Explore, Discover), and the most likely one to get next out of those available (color you are researching and have the prereqs for) will be the one with the highest total value in the research priorities you have set. You can even do this backwards, setting the research priorities for the next tech you want to get.

Of course, if you are willing to go to all that effort to predict it, you might as well just turn of blind research.

Incidentally, if you want to beeline to Environmental Economics(remove energy restrictions & Tree Farms), and also handicap yourself by missing crawlers & hab domes (Industrial Automation), set the priorities to Build only from the start of the game. Works pretty much every time for me, regardless of faction.