Now that we are on the virge of starting; we should pick a tech to research.
Deputy Stuck As A Mac will start a Science-thread in the Government section.

My advise: 1st Pottery (for curraghs and granaries).
2nd Bronze (to get to Iron)
3rd Iron working (to spot the iron for city placement for Samurai)

I'll not be around, but I did want to kick off the debate.

My advise: 1st Pottery (for curraghs and granaries).
There are no curraghs in vanilla...

I would suggest Bronze.

I would suggest Bronze Working too, then alphabet to literature.

With the high risk environment faced by ravaging barbarians, unknown land, the strategic need for iron, hence samurai and militaristic civ, our best chance is the direct route for iron, bronze, iron and then decide what we should do next. Pottery may be useless if we hold good land, and we may as well go for alphapet and map making.

I will post polls on foreign policy alternatives with reference to each Ministry, but these will be strategic decisions, not piecemeal polls, so people will vote for a complete strategic option, with all parts necessary to make that policy whole.

We need to go the Literature/Currency path. The AI doesn't research those much, and they're good trading opportunities. We start off with The Wheel, so Horseback Riding is an option (quick movement, and can fend off barbs, while exploring).

I think that the tech we choose to research early on will take us in the general way to our victory option.

If we choose a pacific one (culture, diplomatic, spaceship and histograph), I'd suggest going for Literature right after Bronze Working (which is essential for the spearman defense).

However, if we go for a more 'agressive' one (conquest, domination), this being a thing that I do not recommand, going for Horseback riding and Iron Working would be logic.

Also remember that our horsemen are upgrading to the samuraï, not the swordsman (and that trying to get iron right now to prepare for a UU an age later is a bit hasty).

Personally, in my games, I always go for pottery first. I find that the speeded growth is essential for getting settlers out quickly. Bronze Working, on the other hand, is not all that necessary. A spearman takes twice as long as a warrior to build, and in the early game, 2 warriors are more useful than 1 spearman: double policing power, double scouting ability. Also, I usually feel safer with 2 warriors defending a city rather than just 1 spearman. An enemy warrior can get a lucky kill against a lone defender, but 2 warriors lets you strike at them while they're on the tile outside the city. I understand the need for Iron Working later on, but I don't think getting it 15-20 turns later is such a big deal.

I must point out however, that I have never played on any barb setting above the default one (roaming), so perhaps the military advances will be more important.

I think we should aim for gettin the Great Library early on. It would tremendously boost our tech.

pottery first always!

Personally in every game I play I go straight for Literature so the Alphabet-Writing-Literature Line is where I must suggest we head. Ultimately the Great Library is probably the most important wonder in the game. With it behind you, you dont need to trade for tech because your wonder just gives it to you. So if we are willing to lag a bit militarily for awhile I can't see why we shouldn't go straight after that specific wonder. Besides embassys that come with writing are useful...
Just my thoughts though.

I find embassies expensive to start with. The AI generally doesn't get to Iron working too early on in the piece. I never feel safe enough with just warriors and I like to know where the iron is so I can claim it before the AI does. Generally on emperor level, I can't survive without Iron, and the AIs often don't connect up more than 1 straight away. Just a few of my thoughts

I think we should aim for gettin the Great Library early on. It would tremendously boost our tech.

I agree to this..sounds the best way...

- TP

The Great Library isn't always needed on Monarch, if you know how to play. In fact, the Great Library is rarely needed on Emperor. It's more of a crutch, but I guess with the "Demogame Factor", it might be needed...

I didnt realize Rik had set this thread up.
/me pulls out a briefcase, buts goldbond on his many sunburns, pulls out a little sign that says Science
Science is here. Please resume with your rambling.
I agree with Ril over pottery first. As noted by Nold, there are no Curraghs, nor is there the Philo gambit.
Rik has suggested that we follow this by Bronze and Iron. I personally feel we should head to Lit after Pottery, but that is just this penguins opinion.

So far: Viable paths are
Pottery-Bronze-Iron
Pottery-Alpha-Writing-Lit
Alpha-Writing-Lit
Bronze-GL Path (Al-W-Lit)
Pottery-HBR
Pottery-Monarchy Path (Poly-Monarchy, with HBR too)

Any other suggestions (please phrase them as queues)

SaaM