Advice on Exchanging Technologies

[br0nxdog]

Hi,

I can't clearly see how to exchange technologies efficiently.

Normally I exchange in a 1 for 1 basis if they're on the same column in the tech tree. For example :

I can change Writing for Mathematics, cause they're on the same column.

I can change Bronze Working for Ceremonial Burial, cause they're on the same column.

I will not change Currency for mysticism cause Currency is in the third column and mysticism in the second.

I'm sure this is a stupid rule to exchange technologies, but it's the only one I know of.

Could anyone please give me some advice ? Thanks!

 

[lbhhh]

Each technology has a certain base value wihich varies with map size, difficulty level and number of civs already knowing the tech. If you check out the creation and customization forum in the utility program section you should be able to find a good tech calc which will allow you to know the worth of what you are trading for. A typical opportunity for getting several techs in exchange for one is in the early industrial era. The AI never heads straight for sanitation so if you do, you can trade it around and cash in big time.

Heres the link for an excellent tech calc:

Tech Calc by Grey Fox

 

[br0nxdog]

Actually I was looking for a generic rule.

Not any external aid like calculators and so on ...

Any ?

 

[lbhhh]

Well the general rule is that if the tech is farther down the branch its worth more. But the more civs know the tech already the less valuable it is.

 

[Tomoyo]

Republic is on the last row of the tech tree, but you wouldn't exchange it for Currency. It help to know how much each technology is basically worth.

 

[Lord Parkin]

How far down the tech tree a tech is does come into its cost, but you have to consider several other factors. Very basically:
Usually (but not always), the more items a certain tech makes available, the more valuable it is. Also, government techs are worth a LOT (around 3 or 4 times) more than normal ones. Dead-end techs are also usually more valuable than normal ones. There is a BIG jump in tech worth between different ages. And, of course, the less civs that have the tech, the more valuable it is.

Of course there's other factors, but those are the basic main ones.

 

[Gengis Khan]

Dead end optional techs are worth less then normal techs. The reason it seems like they're worth more is because techs that contain a Wonder(that hasn't been built yet) are worth more. Build that Wonder then see how much you can sell the tech for, you'll be lucky to get pennies.

 

[binyo66]

Originally posted by Gengis Khan
Dead end optional techs are worth less then normal techs. The reason it seems like they're worth more is because techs that contain a Wonder(that hasn't been built yet) are worth more. Build that Wonder then see how much you can sell the tech for, you'll be lucky to get pennies.

I got 10G once even I was the only one who had it (It was a tech after democracy, I forgot the name), and on emperor level. After that I always sell it 1 turn b4r wonder done, and ussually I got 50+GPT

 

[rcoutme]

It is really important to know the costs of each tech, since some techs that are further down the tree are much less expensive than the ones leading to them. One good example is Medicine vs. Sanitation. Sanitation comes first and is 100, medicine is 90.

 

[Gengis Khan]

Having an idea about tech pricing is important, however it's not a must. More important is to priorize techs that are important for your strategy.

If I have alot of room around me I'll gladly trade Bronze for Pottery even though Bronze is more expensive, because pottery will help me expand much faster.

I'd trade Facism for Industrialization anyday even though Facism is "more valuble." ect ect ect..

A tech price is a nice guidline, but it's not absolute or even all that important.

 

[DragonRunner]

I've found that there are certain techs the ai values more. In the very beginning, which is all I can remember in terms of value, the AI values bronze working, masonry, alphabet, and warrior code over pottery and ceremonial burial(dunno about the wheel) Techs the AI never research are very handy to pick up and trade around. Also, try a path that the AI dosen't go for often. I find that going to currency quickly gives me a great advantage, since that's usually the last tech the AI researches before going to Middle Ages. In the middle ages, the AI often doesn't pick up chivalry, so if you get that, you can trade it around, too.

 

[alamo]

Sometimes it is best to not trade techs, especially if you are ahead, or are planning a major offensive with the next power unit.

The AI will almost always trade among themselves, so you should trade to everyone at once, and never between turns when they call.

On monarch I seldom get decent tech trade deals, and the best onces are not for sale (or ridiculously valued). After communism there's always someone looking to steal techs.

One trade opportunity occurs when there is a dogpile and one AI is about to get wiped off the map. I can trade the crown jewels for whatever piddling techs the poor slob has without fear of having them spread around.