Communism or Physics

[madscientist]

OK, Lokks like I will be first to Scientific method. Given a choice do I go after the Great Spy from Communim first or the Great Scientist from Physics. The game is progressing as a peaceful Space race/perhaps diplomatic victory.

 

[Bursk]

I don't know what the "right" choice would be (I suppose it depends on your strategy) but I'd most likely go for the spy, since scientists are much more common in my games (from my GPF).

 

[colony]

I'd take Communism first too. Assuming you can only be first to one I'd take the Spy and then use it to steal Physics, or whatever other tech you want. You miss the GSci, but by that stage in the game it's likely you won't be able to bulb a full tech, and settling them's not generally as useful by then.

 

[r_rolo1]

You're forgetting that commie is a somewhat dead end thing, while Physics opens a lot of good techs ( Electricity, Biology,.... ).

 

[futurehermit]

Communism ftw. Always now, especially if you can get the great spy and Kremlin.

This allows you to make a super espionage city. Put Kremlin, scotland yard, courthouse, intelligence agency, bureau, and jail in a high-food city (you may need to rush-buy Kremlin for around $6000) and you will be able to run 9 spy specialists pumping out in the neighbourhood of 200-300 ep/turn. This can manage your entire espionage efforts throughout the game.

Physics is good for getting the free scientist, but given a choice I would rather get my super-espionage city set up.

 

[Phrederick]

Putting Kremlin there isn't all that helpful. Sure, it's an extra +2GP/turn, but by that point in the game that won't go very far. If the main purpose is to get EP, you don't need to focus on GP anyway.

 

[Leif]

Communism them physics, use all your new found espionage points to delay others so they can't overtake you and get physics first.

 

[futurehermit]

Putting Kremlin there isn't all that helpful. Sure, it's an extra +2GP/turn, but by that point in the game that won't go very far. If the main purpose is to get EP, you don't need to focus on GP anyway.

Kremlin gives you the ability to run an additional 2 spy specialists in your super espionage city. This is a big deal. Any GSpies you generate are settled in this city (after Scotland Yard).

Plus Kremlin cheapens rush-buying which although nerfed is still very nice when running a CE and sitting in universal sufferage, which is a nice CE civic now especially with levees/dikes improving riverside cottage production.

 

[axident]

Depends if I have a golden age on hand to switch into State Property, and how many watermills and workshops I have. Also depends on how badly I need Biology. I usually try for SP first so as to get started on the Kremlin.. I don't like my wondercity to be idle/making non-wonders too long, so it's better to not have a huge backlog by the time I reach Electricity for Broadway.

 

[Cabay Jet]

Go for the great scientist, if you're shooting for a space victory you'll need as much scientific help as possible. Otherwise go for the great spy.

 

[LotusDagger]

One thing to consider is to aim for Cristo Redentor. It is an amazing wonder, giving you a better-than-spiritual trait. Too many ways to manipulate diplomatically, economically, and in warfare...

That will favor the physics. And the free GS will help to lightbulb towards electricity. I think the value of the free great spy from communism will not be too much if you already has Scotland Yard built.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[madscientist]

Well, I missed out on both. Communism by 6 turns to Agustus (I guess I wasn't as fast teh scientific method as I thought, he must have bulbed it). I thought I would end up with Physics anyway but lost it by 2 turns, again to Agustus. The game edned up a loss as I will discuss in the origional post. Thanks for the advice, I think next time I will definitely go with Physics since I think the AI targets that tech first unless I have a clear path to communism.

 

[futurehermit]

Communism ftw. It is on the same path as physics. Just work on improving your tech pace a bit and you will get both! Communism first though so you can get started on the kremlin

 

[madscientist]

Communism ftw. It is on the same path as physics. Just work on improving your tech pace a bit and you will get both! Communism first though so you can get started on the kremlin

I think you are right on this. Communism first, plus a fast switch to state property for the food improvements and 10% production boast to help build the Kremlin.