It's great to get a tech for free, but why settle for just one average tech? Here are some tricks to get more out of your free techs.
Note that most of these tricks work best on lower difficulty levels, where the AI won't beat you to any of the key techs. Also, none of them work in PTW.
Republic Slingshot (C3C)
This is a simple trick to do in Conquests. Just research in order: Alphabet, Writing, Code of Laws, Philosopy, Republic. If you manage to get Philosophy first, you get Republic as your free tech! Becoming a Republic before 1000BC gives you a huge boost in research and growth for the rest of the game.
Don't trade Alphabet or Writing, to keep the AI away from Philosophy as long as possible.
Expansionist Philosophy Slingshot (C3C)
