Technology Research

I'm not a very *avid* player of Civ3, but I've recently been trying to get into it more and more, the problem that i've been having with Civ3 in particular (as opposed to Civ2) is that my civ doesnt really get on with it when it comes to tech research. I have played the game through a number of times, but only seldomly do i ever come close to getting modern techs on time. So it's pretty sad actually that i'm still using muskets in 1950... i'm not sure if i need more scientists... or if i should let my gold go to nothing in order to keep the levels near 90% ??? Any response would be wonderfully accepted from a player that NEEDS some help!!!


Thanks

I've played a bit and I now that when I started I found progress to be very slow, with Civ3 it is very very important to create roads everywhere, that will get your gold up and you can afford to run at 60-70% science without a problem (I am assuming this is at a lower level (Chieftan/Warlord). This works for me as I don't micro manage each city to maximize its output but rather have the governer take care of happiness in the city.

Squid

The level you are playing affects your tech pace. It is usually slowest on Chieftain, while on Deity people have had Modern Armor while BC.

Another consideration is tech trading. Trading techs with the AI speeds the pace, because no one has to research everything themselves. The AI will trade amongst themselves, so you may as well join in and not be left out in the cold.


[color=600f0f]Note: This isn't *really* a technical question, so I've moved it to General Discussion. [/color]

You don't need scientists. In fact using in-city specialists, instead of just working the tile, is a waste.

Your ideal is for every citizen to be working a tile which is fully improved - roads, mines or irrigation, etc. One key is to have enough workers to make this an achieveable target.

Then the choice comes between working a tile - which yields food, shields and commerce in most cases - or being a scientist, which gives one measly science beaker only. By the time you add in city improvements each citizen actually working a tile will be generating two or more beakers at a high tech %age, plus enough food to feed themselves, and perhaps a shield or two.

Unless you need the money for something specific - like saving up for a mass unit upgrade, or to rush improvements - then cash in the treasury is worthless. Much better to spend down to a near-zero balance in pursuit of faster tech research. That improves the chance of getting a tech first, which you can then sell (if you like) to the AIs for huge amounts of $$$ (if they have it).

Thanks so much for all the info. You guys are great!