The russian UB replaces laboratories, which come with computers.

They give +2 free scientists--a great library in every city!.

I feel like the implications of this are HUGE, especially considering the specialist econ strat I'm working on, but does anyone else feel like it will come too late to make much difference? I mean, computers? A UB in the modern era?

I suppose it's just one more reason to try and finish the Russians off as early as possible. On the other hand, the research boost that late in the game shouldn't come into play as the game is usually decided by then. But +2 free scientists per city is a pretty powerful boost.

Yeah, I salivate just thinking about it...at that point in the game, with all science buildings, a scientist with representation is worth 12 beakers. So that's 24 free beakers/city. If you have 10 cities, that's 240 free beakers. 20 cities, that's 480 free beakers. With 20 cities, that's a free modern era tech every 10 turns!! HUGE! And if you're playing the aggressive-specialist strategy I'm working on, having 20 cities by modern era is certainly realistic.

It's just that by the modern era, I would usually have a commanding tech lead and this bonus would only be cosmetic in terms of finishing the game faster :(

It does seem imbalancing, but this will be mitigated by how late in the game it occurs.

Is there some actual Russian building that this was patterned after?

Do you think the Russian UB had something to do with the change in traits for Catherine? If she had stayed financial with this building it would be pretty damn powerful. Again, the fact that this building shows up so late really diminishes its impact (at least in my mind).

Whipping or buying these buidlings so late would only benefit a space race victory don't you think? If you were committed to a cultural victory you would have shut your research slider down well before this building comes on line. A domination or conquest victory would usually be decided by this time as well. A UN victory is, well, a UN victory (in my mind a diplomatic win just seems like a failed domination attempt). A time victory, on the other hand, seems to fit this building quite well. Added technologies can drive up your score by a few points.

The obvious counter-balance is that the Laboratory/Research Institute come very late in the game. A very powerful bonus, but one that may come too late to make a difference.

It should be worth a few turns if you beeline to Computers, enough to make the difference in a tight space race. Seems fair.

I think it sounds ridiculously overpowered. We'll see how it plays out; but I think they made a real mistake with this one.

compared to most of the UB's which grant their civs much earlier bonuses, this one is balanced out. yes the impact is strong but if you let russia live long enough to get cossaks.. well u get the point. laboratories are seriously late game anyway so wont make too much of an impact

NaZ

Agree with Naz. It does sound very powerfull but it comes into the game so late so it had to be pretty good otherwise people would complain how weak it was. If the game drags along you will have a good chance to win the space victory with Russia. New strat could be beelining to laboratories with representation.

*beelining* to laboratories?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I've been thinking about Peter with this. Using the specialist econ I keep talking about and then these uber-labs late game. I think you would FOR SURE win a space race going for this. However, I feel like at that point, I would already have the space race in hand and the impact would only be a cosmetic one, to finish up faster. Especially, after using cossacks earlier to diminish the chances of my nearest competitor...

[QUOTE=futurehermit]*beelining* to laboratories?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I'QUOTE]
;)

as others have said, it's so late it must be powerfull

What is there left to research after computers?

as others have said, it's so late it must be powerfull

What is there left to research after computers?

Robotics! Muahahaha! Mechanized infantry... Sweeeet! :yumyum:

as others have said, it's so late it must be powerfull

What is there left to research after computers?


Future Techs!
The Russians will rule all base score milking attempts. lol

You can beeline to Computers, maybe after getting Biology.

So, something like SM -> Biology and Physics (Physics if you have a chance to be first and get a GS, then you can burn it for Biology) -> Electricity -> Radio -> Computers.

You can leave plenty of techs behind, including Steel, RailRoad, Assembly Line, Combustion, Rocketry, and backfill after Computers, maybe after tech trading.

This whole line of techs has high tradeable value. So, trade a lot, and you'll get them all. Meanwhile rush Labs (UBs) and enjoy science boost.

Also, if you have some GSs, you can use them for most of these techs.

You guys are nuts. Labs come at the very very end of the game. It's near worthless.

I would argue that the korean UB would actually have a stronger impact.
this UB is unlocked at Education, which is several ERAS ahead of computers. by then a decent science city is putting out atleast 50-60 beakers anyway. so the 10% bonus would be 5-6 beakers, equivelant to 2 scientists. any super heavy science city (be it by specialists or great library or many cottages) will be producing more like 80-100 beakers.. in which case the bonus is far better. and will continue to be effective for a LONG time.

korea is also a financial civ, so more suited to cottaging up anyway

NaZ

that UB is the worst of all. Approx only <1% of multiplayer games reach that late game. The point is the earliers UB the better it is cuz it'll provide long-time bonus. But it seems balanced cuz Cossacks are great UU so UB uselessness compensated by UU's power.

that UB is the worst of all. Approx only <1% of multiplayer games reach that late game. The point is the earliers UB the better it is cuz it'll provide long-time bonus. But it seems balanced cuz Cossacks are great UU so UB uselessness compensated by UU's power.
Not anymore Cossacks now are only normal strength 15 Cavalry with +50% against mounted units. Redcoats were similarly nerfed, just strength 14 now.

I also don't think this is useless, its just only relevant in a tight space race game. Its not as good as the early powerful UBs, but its certainly not useless. Future is on a LSD trip for scientist specialts though so I'm sure he'll try to make it useful more broadly.

I would argue that the korean UB would actually have a stronger impact.
this UB is unlocked at Education, which is several ERAS ahead of computers. by then a decent science city is putting out atleast 50-60 beakers anyway. so the 10% bonus would be 5-6 beakers, equivelant to 2 scientists. any super heavy science city (be it by specialists or great library or many cottages) will be producing more like 80-100 beakers.. in which case the bonus is far better. and will continue to be effective for a LONG time.

korea is also a financial civ, so more suited to cottaging up anyway

NaZ
I agree absolutely. I'm actually going to play my first game as Korea :king: .