Research Discussion

[notyoueither]

Perhaps it is time we decided on research goals a ways in advance. Relations with Vox are effected, not to mention the likelihood of futher contacts occuring soon.

What should be our next research goal? Republic? Map Making? Monarchy? Which would be secondary goals? Can we rank them?

If we can organise this area of the game, we can make better decisions, quicker.

[notyoueither]

I think it is likely that Literature and Map Making will quickly become goals 1 and 1A. What about the rest? Which do we want more? Map Making or Literature?

[nbarclay]

I don't see Map Making as a priority anymore now that it looks like contacts with everyone (or at least everyone but Lego) can be obtained through Vox.

My current thinking (as also expressed in part in the Turn 51 thread) is to maybe have Vox research Code of Laws while we research Literature and then Philosophy, unless we can line up a trade of Code of Laws for Literature or vice versa, in which case we could research one and trade for the other while Vox works on Philosophy. That would set us up for a beeline to Republic, which is useful not just for the extra gold it would bring but also for higher production due to lower corruption.

Nathan

[notyoueither]

I agree that Republic is a primary target given our situation.

However, you don't think that GrLH is a valuable target given that Lego way well grab GrLib?

There's probably islands out there. Possibly a major one.

[alva]

Republic is a first priority IMO, after that MM to as NYE says, see if there is some uninhabitat islands to be explored/settled.

[nbarclay]

Originally posted by notyoueither
I agree that Republic is a primary target given our situation.

However, you don't think that GrLH is a valuable target given that Lego way well grab GrLib?

There's probably islands out there. Possibly a major one.

If we can't trade for Map Making, we can get Vox to research it while we're working on Republic. They'll need harbors pretty desperately once they finish REXing, since coast and sea tiles make up such a large percentage of their eventual empire, so pointing them in the right direction shouldn't be too difficult.

[DeepO]

I think we'll need MM pretty quickly, and would be inclined to get it before republic. But true, if Vox would be willing to get it, that makes the most sense.

The GLh is also on my list, but if the legos are far from anyone else, I doubt we'll be able to get it. But yes, there is too much open space on this map: to the North of Lego is enough space to settle 3 civs. We've got the growth potential to go for a bit more peacefull expansion, so I wold definately want to go for that if possible.

DeepO

[nbarclay]

The problem with expanding onto islands is that any you need the Great Lighthouse to get to are usually far enough away to have too high a corruption to really be worth anything. A palace jump would be theoretically possible, but only viable if we found an island large enough to make a viable core in its own right. Further, highly corrupt island posessions aren't exactly easy to defend against any serious attack, and their benefit to score is a mixed blessing since a high score run up from almost useless islands might make us look like more of a threat to others.

Edit: of course the possibility of a luxury on an uninhabited island gives the Great Lighthouse some chance of being worth quite a bit more.

[DeepO]

Luxuries are enough reasons to do it, as is creating possible beach heads for later. Sure, corruption could become a problem, but maybe we find land down there that is bigger then what we have now, in which case I would be happy to palace jump to there (using a leader or capital starving). I still consider the GL the best replacement of the GL

DeepO

[Arrian]

Republic beeline with cooperation from Vox. Given the apparent disparity in research rates (which should get bigger now with our new city on the gold hill), Nathan's suggestion seems to make the most sense (we research Lit/Philo, Vox researches CoL). Then we research Republic, and send Vox back to research something we're missing... MapMaking?

-Arrian

[nbarclay]

DeepO, could you please ask RolePlay whether they are researching either Code of Laws or Literature and, if so, whether they would be willing to arrange a trade in advance with us for whichever of those they are not researching? If we could get one of those from another team, we could research the other while Vox goes for Philosophy, and that would set us up to start on Republic a bit sooner. And I'm inclined to view RolePlay as a seemingly unlikely-to-be-hostile place to start looking for such a deal. (Unless someone has an objection to the idea...)

Nathan

[DeepO]

I'll get some info on the RPGers... also on how the position on the main continent now really is.
I'm very hesitant to mention a possible tech deal with Vox with them, it would be in our best interest if we and Vox don't seem too close. For the moment, I'll simply leave it out, we can always tell them later...

DeepO

[nbarclay]

My "If we could get..." part was intended as explanation for our team, not as stuff you should pass on to RP. I agree with not disclosing our relationship with Vox any more than might become truly necessary.

Any objection if I go ahead and tell Vox we'd like them to hold off research until we get them Writing so they can help us go after Republic?

Nathan

[DeepO]

Nathan, no problem. Please mention to Vox that it would be best if our close relation doesn't leak into the rest of the world, they will get the best deals if they are keeping us small...

Message to Godking is on it's way... will soon be posted in the log.

DeepO

[zeit]

Nathan- you think Vox will really halt their research? i don't think so, but, they did mention they are looking into new options for research, so telling them we have devised a plan an we need their cooperation seems like a good idea.