Coming from behind in early Ind. Age

[llib_rm]

Steam Power -> Electricity -> Replacable Parts (with coal)
Steam Power -> Nationalism (without coal)

A large number of mobile muskets on a rail network can defend well enough until I upgrade to infantry. Getting the rail network up & running fast enough can be a challenge with cavalry galloping around.

Not having coal usually means I have to fight for it and riflemen will be needed.

I never use the communism route. I must be doing something wrong because every switch to communism feels like a step backwards. Are there any good threads on the when/why/how of communist government?

 

[greekguy]

if you're talking about getting a comeback victory at the start of the industrial ages you want nationalism. if you are say 2 or 3 in score at the start of the IND age, then you can get 4, 5, and 6 (for instance) in an MPP and then coax 2 and 3 into a war. the bunch of you can take them down and you will then be in first. also, rifles are the first defensive unit that is a solid attacker as well.

 

[FeelGood]

I usually go for Steam of course! Coal is a must. Nationalism is the last option except if I am in the middle of war on and in the losing side. This usually happens on higher difficulty due to draft, rifles and mobilization ability. But still is based on the situation. Rail power is the utmost importance for me.

Then I will go for industrialization and/or electricity. Ind for factories or Elect for irrigation ability. And then if I left nationalism, I`ll choose repl parts for infantry and double speed worker to rail my empire. Lastly, I go for ToE and HD. Nationalism will then be bought by selling Atomic Theory. A city with Shakepeare (hospital)/rail/factory/power plant is a production powerhouse!

So far, i`ve never tried to be commie!

 

[mst3k_freak]

My strategy of late has involved
- Switching to Republic asap
- Selling techs til I can set my research to 100%
- Building the spaceship

I usually pass the AI around Chemistry/Metallurgy.

With that in mind, I usually research Medicine first because I've got my eye on ToE. You can trade it for Nationalism or Steam (or both, if you can work it right), and the nice thing is the AI always goes for communism and espionage first, so they're no worries about them pursuing you.

Then I pick up Replacable Parts after Scientific Method while ToE is building. Just before that builds, I trade for all the techs the computer has and push even further ahead. Once I got Atomic Theory and Electronics from ToE. I could build Hoover Dam before I had Steel!

If you're starting behind in the Ind age, I would say ToE is the key to moving in front. Get that ASAP while the computer is fooling with Marx.