Great Library = 0% research rate?

[petermarkab]

In my latest game, while still in the ancient age, i captured the GL from India.

I set my research rate to 0% for two reasons.

1. My strategies were militaristic - i played as the Celts - so with a large military, i had a large wage bill.

2. The GL would give me tech for free, so there's no point wasting trade on research.

BUT, i waited and waited for my new techs to come and they didn't. On setting my research rate to 10%, the new techs were discovered rapidly.

I experimented with this phenomenon - i played for 100 turns but still no tech until i set my research rate to 10%.

Is it the case that if I set my research rate to 0%, the AI does the same, resulting in no tech being discovered?

[statusperfect]

No. This must be a bug or coincidence. What civ version are you running?

cheers

[petermarkab]

this happened on PTW v1.14

[statusperfect]

strange...

you know that you only get techs two other civs you have contacts with have?

cheers

[petermarkab]

oh yeah, its like they know i'm not putting any effort into research so neither will they.

if you get a chance, try it - i may be wrong but its happened to me three or four times in different games.

[Nym]

Did you discover the techs or learn them from other civs? Do not forget that the GL loses its power after one Civ discover education.

[petermarkab]

All this takes place before the discovery of Education by me or other civs. When i reset my sci rate to 10%, the acquired techs come thick and fast, but if its set to 0%, no-one discovers any tech. (checked through the diplomacy screen) my own discovery rate at 10% is 40 turns per tech, so its definitely not me who discovers the techs.

On another point, has anyone else noticed that the AI makes a beeline for Education thus minimising the effect of the GL?

[Nym]

Originally posted by petermarkab
On another point, has anyone else noticed that the AI makes a beeline for Education thus minimising the effect of the GL?

Not really. In fact I do make a beeline for Education if I do not have the GL and I am often the first one to reach Education (I usually play on Monarch level with a scientific civ). On the other hand I find that the AI prefers Feudalism.

[CerberusIV]

I have never noticed the AI stop researching before now. I usually play with 8 civs on a standard map so have contact with three or four and the techs flow in from the GL. They do also research down the invention/gunpowder line but not always - it seems to depend on which civs are in the game and the particular circumstances.

My current game is the first time I have never had a tech from the GL. I am playing standard map with only 4 civs. I (ottomans) have contact with the Babylonians and Persians. The French are isolated on another continent. I built the GL partly to stop anyone else getting it and partly as a possible trigger for a GA (which it did). It has just gone obsolete without giving me a single tech. The reason seems to be that my neighbours have been almost constantly at war with each other and that has crippled their research. They also had poor starting positions, especially the Persians and the raging barbs and the fact that I have nearly crushed the Babs hasn't helped them either.

So it really depends on circumstances in a particular game. The GL may yield nothing but it certainly isn't usaul in my experience.

[Gramphos]

Originally posted by Nym
Did you discover the techs or learn them from other civs? Do not forget that the GL loses its power after one Civ discover education.

No, in Civ3 you need to get Education for the GL to lose it's power.

[Nym]

Originally posted by Gramphos

No, in Civ3 you need to get Education for the GL to lose it's power.

My mistake!
Thanks for this clarification.