Talking Tech

[UnOrthOdOx]

So, what do we want to do?

Sarantium is researching Math, which they will owe us if they hold up their end.

After that, they want to trade us Construction. We need a tech to offer them.

Horde is gifting us HBR, which could be used for that purpose.

Essentially I see 2 options to us research wise at the moment:

1. Polytheism -> Lit. Making a grab for the library.
2. Machinery: Let's say both Horde and Sarantium decide to attack us instead of each other. This provides us the crossbow. A 6 str unit with no counter at the moment.


Since we're accepting both contract,s #2 is a distinct possibility. And we must consider the possibility that Sarantium or the Horde do not honor existing trade agreements after we start on contract. (math from Sarantium, settler from Horde)

#1 makes the most long-term sense. The library would likely negate any engineer points we're accumulating though.

[Kloreep]

It would take a while to build the GLib, so we might still get that first Great Engineer. After that, though, yeah, two scientists would easily outpace the one engineer.

I'm getting kind of worried Sarantium & the Horde will compare notes once we realize the gains we're making playing both sides, so Machinery might not be a bad idea. That said, the Great Lib is a decent wonder, and would indeed make the most long term sense. Ultimately I'm undecided at the moment.

[UnOrthOdOx]

Thought of a third option I happen to think best:

Continue to stockpile the gold.

If Sarantium and the Horde ally against us, we'll need it to get catapults ASAP. By hording it, we can run a deficit long enough we won't be too far behind Sarantium in getting there.

[polarnomad]

Assuming both contracts go ahead, then Sarantium and the Horde are liable to feel that we are more of a threat than a benefit, so I would lean towards Machinery.

However, it's going to take a while to get Machinery. So, I'm not certain we will see much benefit from it by the time there is a backlash from our neighbors, if there is one.

Not sure what to say. I see advantages in all options, but in the end it's a gamble. Perhaps Machinery and get a library or two built if we can.

[Kloreep]

Good point UnO.

It certainly wouldn't hurt to continue stockpiling for the near future.

At any rate, I think I'm certainly leaning against a GLib grab. The continent seems a little volatile to be trying for a wonder.

[UnOrthOdOx]

One other note on Machinery.

We'ld need to connect our Iron for crossbows IIRC. That's currently not in the plan, and we're 20+ turns out from another expansion in AB

[polarnomad]

So let's go for Poly.

EDIT: Next expansion for AB in 38 turns.