Term 1 - Trade N Tech (TNT)

Here is what I am responsible for:

Minister of Trade and Technology - The Minister of Trade and Technology is responsible for all trade initiatives and research goals. The Minister also coordinates any plans for spaceship construction.

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So I rolled up a Celt start to examine our tech options from the get-go. We are AGI and REL, for those that don't already know/remember. This is my first game as a Celt.

Celt Starting Techs


The two quickest techs we can learn are Bronze Working and Warrior Code (the two blue boxes) and both will take 38 turns at 100% science, based on the sample game. The other choices (Masonry, Alphabet and The Wheel) will each take 50 turns. We know this will decrease as we build more cities and get larger, but these are the numbers we have at the present time.

Standard play indicates that we would beeline to Philosophy in order to get Republic for free, which means learning Alphabet, Writing, Code of Laws and then Philosophy. If we get there first we take Republic and trade it around for the techs we don't have.

This assumes we want to be a Republic. We could also just focus on getting Monarchy early, which is also four techs away. One of those techs is Warrior Code, which is only 38 turns for us.

I'm going to assume that we will not have any close and active neighbors, at least for the first 30 turns or so. And that we have good land to develop.

Much will depend on our start. If we have a good supply of rivers and plenty of opportunities for commerce, then I think that the Republic slingshot is a no-brainer. If we get a cruddy start and cannot expand very quickly, then Bronze Working, at only 38 turns, would be my suggested tech of choice. If we were on a coast, I would recommend Alphabet for the early curraghs.

Bronze Working leads to Iron Working, which triggers our UU. Now it gets dicey. With Gallic Swords, which are handy to have, we run the risk of an early Golden Age with only a few cities. I don't think we want that. Well, as the TNT guy, I don't want a Golden Age with five cities at size 3. Golden Ages are plannable events (somewhat) and I really feel that the Domestic Office should try to schedule that glorious day, as far as our neighbors will allow us. We could try to keep the GSs back from the front lines, but they are too good and handy for rearguard duty. Again, that is not my call, but Defense's.

Suggested Research Goals
Republic Slingshot (if fair/good start)
(Alphabet -> Writing -> Code of Laws -> Philosophy)
Alphabet (if coastal start)
Bronze Working (if cruddy start)

Research Worries
Iron Working, since it could give us a too-soon Golden Age.

Need a deputy? If I don't get Mayor, I'd be happy to take up the job.

Yep, since I'm not mayor, I'd be happy to be Deputy.

At Monarch, the Republic slingshot should be doable even with a crappy start. Besides that, Alphabet, Writing and CoL are fine trade-bait even if the sling fails. Since you have a deputy, I can be your first citizen advisor.

Agree that we don't want a Despotic Golden Age and Gallic Swordsmen are far too useful to keep behind the lines. Republic slingshot sounds good.

of course, some (me) of the public might prefer a monarchy slingshot?

billybones27 said:

of course, some (me) of the public might prefer a monarchy slingshot?

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What would be the advantage, in your opinion?

Hmm. I think billybones27 may want the option of declaring war early in the game. We do have the religious trait, so Anarchy will be held at a minimum. Switching governments will not be a problem. Nothing beats an early Republic, in my opinion.

ah, but i get crushed by ww and no military police in republic. i personally prefer pounding republics, and not being one

WW is manageable by fighting smart. My problems with Republics usually stem from death by unit support. I am still learning how to win with a lean efficient military.

Early growth covers unit support. The right sized military comes from knowing when to attack your enemy and taking their cities. Use their cities to increase your military.

EDIT: Oops! Wrong thread for this discussion.

I'm really uniformed here, but ussually republics are unfavourable (for me) if i act the warmonger. WW is annoying, and no military police makes it worse and no supported units means that having a large army that can (easily) crush opposition is hard. of course i play on regent, so more expereinced players are probably going to show me how to use a republic efficiently...

I would be happy to show you how I might do that in a certain situation, Zearo. But this is not nthe thread to be discussing strategy in. This thread is for discussing Trades and Tech Tree advancement. I will show you now how to start a discussion thread in the Citizen's sub-forum that focuses on the advantages of being in a Republic and how to go through the game declaring war and being declared upon while in said Republic.

civplayah said:

Yep, since I'm not mayor, I'd be happy to be Deputy.

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civplayah, I dub thee Deputy Minister of Trade and Technology.

Forgive my tardiness; my head has been distracted by Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst for about the past week.

In due time we'll get together and I'll pass on to you the Secret of the Sacred Beakers and how they help our scientific research. I was able to grab a picture of them, while they were full of their Elixir of Insight.


The Sacred Beakers of Hibernian Knowledge


Much more useful than the Golden Nunchuks of Bleeding Dan.

I have been searching for The Sacred Beakers of Hibernian Knowledge since taking office. May I hold one?

CommandoBob, can you please post a screenshot of the Ancient Age Tech Tree?

Cyc said:

CommandoBob, can you please post a screenshot of the Ancient Age Tech Tree?

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see post #1, he already has, with the inclusion of suggested research paths and our starting techs

Thank you billybones27, I saw that earlier, but forgot. Way to keep a step ahead of me, guys. I need good Leaders like you.