To reasearch or not to research?

[Spec]

To reasearch or not to research? Now THAT is the question.

Let me explain,

I really dont see the purpose of max funding for research except when I want a tech before other civ. The way I see it you're better of not putting one cent in research cuz that way you'll make lots of money to buy those techs or improvments.

But personnally, I almost never buy techs from civs. I go after the most advanced civ, capture a couple of cities and then I just make a deal with them to sign a peace treaty against all their techs. And when I get to a tech that I really want fast, like Military traditon, I max fund it and I get it in 4 turns cuz I always got the money. I always have like 500/turn and never to far back with techs. Most of the time I'm equal to the other civs.

So, tell me, why should I have max funding? Even if I'm in front with techs and I want to sell them, most likely the AI wont have money or goods to trade with me. So what's the use of a "reasearch bar"? Thoughts?


Second, this is how I think the research bar should work, just thought you'd like to know:

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42992

Spec.

[SpencerH]

The only time I ever max out my science is to get the Hoover Dam. I think I've got it every game I've played but I dont know why! I'm usually not the tech leader, why bother?

[Arrian]

Spec,

I'm one of the people who stubbornly continues to go for the tech lead, so I figured I'd chime in. I use the GL to gain parity at the end of the ancient era (monarch level). I build up my cities (library, market, univ, bank), I wonder hog, I play with the slider to get tech as fast as possible, but saving as much cash as possible.

I will end up fighting, either because I decided to attack someone, or I get attacked (usually #2). I will often destroy the AI that attacks me, and hopefully I will gain a leader from this so I can build the forbidden palace in an optimal location. This, after I build up the area around the forbidden, effectively doubles my economy, allowing me to pull away in tech. Throw in ToE, and I'm on my way to a solid tech lead.

You can absolutely blow the AI away (on Monarch, at least, the highest levels have such insane bonuses that I cannot in good faith suggest trying to out-research the AI unless you manage to get incredibly powerful... in which case you've won) if you use a combo of early warmongering and building with a militaristic civ (and some luck). Early leader(s) = forbidden early = a large, productive empire. I've done this with Japan, and managed a 1/2 Age lead (entered Modern Age while the AI was partway through the Industrial Age...had Modern Armor before they got Tanks).

So I think it's worth it, but I've always been big on having a tech lead. I enjoy working for it.

-Arrian

[Spec]

Originally posted by Arrian
Spec,

I'm one of the people who stubbornly continues to go for the tech lead...So I think it's worth it, but I've always been big on having a tech lead. I enjoy working for it.

-Arrian

Why do you think it's worth it?

[Thrawn05]

I don't go above 20% for research I get lots of banks and wall street (not to mention taxmen). I use that extra money to up the research bar then in the domestic advisor's screen. By that point, I'm like 40% research 40% entertainment (or somthing close to that).

I don't like buying tech because I usually have to give the AI an arm and a leg to get it.

ME: I want: Printing Press; I'll give: 100 gold

Liz: I want: 200 gold, World Map, Iron, Silks, Dyes, 50 gold/perturn; I'll give: Territory map

[Arrian]

Spec,

Why is it worth it? Well, if all goes well, I will have a decent tech lead by the late industrial age, which means I'll have Tanks and Bombers before anyone else. That's a nice advantage to have. If all goes really well, I can get to Tanks before they have infantry. I tend to fight for crucial empire expansion in the middle ages, but I end up doing some more fighting later on for luxuries and/or because one of the AI's decides to commit suicide. The Germans did that recently, in my Japanese game, and found that their riflemen didn't stand up very well to my Tanks.

I'm also usually the first to build libraries, marketplaces, universities and banks, so my economy ramps up faster than theirs... and so does my culture. I sometimes build wonders before the AI has the tech for them (particularly ToE and Hoover).

Finally, it's worth it because I enjoy it. I enjoy finally leaving the multiheaded AI research consortium in the dust.

-Arrian

[SpencerH]

As you say, your ability to build a tech lead and the benefits you get from it is based upon monarch. I also wonder whether the map size and shape (continents vs islands) is a factor. I find that if the AI can't trade with itself, it has trouble keeping up with tech research and trade is tougher the further from pangea you get.

[Spec]

Originally posted by Thrawn05
...By that point, I'm like 40% research 40% entertainment (or somthing close to that).

What?! Why 40% entertainment? Why dont you build temples, cathedrals and colosseums? And if you do, IMHO, you're wasting money. i never go over 20%.

Spec.

[Arrian]

Originally posted by SpencerH
As you say, your ability to build a tech lead and the benefits you get from it is based upon monarch. I also wonder whether the map size and shape (continents vs islands) is a factor. I find that if the AI can't trade with itself, it has trouble keeping up with tech research and trade is tougher the further from pangea you get.

I typically play Normal size, Continents, 70% water, Monarch level w/8 civs. I also sometimes play Large maps, same settings except 12 civs. I've never tried a 'pelago map, but I may check it out at some point.

-Arrian

[randommushroom]

Oooh yeah, I love the Hoover via TOE method. Works great on Panagea, and basically cements the win.

Once, though, I was an idiot, playing on continents, built TOE and used it to get Electronics--then kicked myself because I was on a continent that had no rivers. And to think I had been cursing that lack of fresh water earlier on because I couldn't irrigate.

Getting the tech lead can be difficult especially with 1.17s rampant AI tech trading/sharing. The way I've been getting it is first building the GL. With that, I stop researching and build the treasury, along with my infrastructure, commerce and productive capacity. Try to snag the happiness wonders, and create a science city with Newton's and Copernicus.

[Inverse Icarus]

communism. can't really "buy" improvements, so money is only worthwhile in diplomacy.

i often find myself with 90-100% science in the later game, because of my resource sales i always end up in the black.

[TinCow]

What do you mean you can't buy improvements? By the mid-industrial age I usually have a 400-500 gold per turn income... I use that cash to rush build all my border/newly conquered cities into semi-prosperity.

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by randommushroom

Once, though, I was an idiot, playing on continents, built TOE and used it to get Electronics--then kicked myself because I was on a continent that had no rivers. And to think I had been cursing that lack of fresh water earlier on because I couldn't irrigate.

Was it one of the tournament games? I did the same thing!

[Arrian]

Originally posted by TinCow
What do you mean you can't buy improvements? By the mid-industrial age I usually have a 400-500 gold per turn income... I use that cash to rush build all my border/newly conquered cities into semi-prosperity.

He was talking about communism, which "rushes" by killing population, instead of money. You sound like you're running a democracy or republic. Hence the difference in approach.

-Arrian

[Thrawn05]

Originally posted by Spectator


What?! Why 40% entertainment? Why dont you build temples, cathedrals and colosseums? And if you do, IMHO, you're wasting money. i never go over 20%.

Spec.

Yes I do build them, and top it with the wonders that help happiness. But even that doesn't help that one or two unhappy people. Besides, everything about 40% is just wasted money, since everything above that is still 4 turns.

And to boot, when I getting 300+ money a turn, I hate other civs demanding 200 gold per turn.