Historical eras and technology...

[SSgtBaloo]

I've been playing Civ III Gold for about a week now (I have been taking breaks for meals, sleep and work, though ). I used to play Civ II and some of the differences are confusing, but I'm working them out.

I really like to have a civilization that advances very fast technologicaly. Once while playing Civ II I managed to get Gunpowder in (about) 900 BC. No, I don't remember how I did it nor have I ever been able to duplicate that feat since. My main question is, what sort of things should I concentrate on to advance my civilization's technology the fastest? Yeah, I know there are no simple answers. So post the complicated ones if you have time.

A secondary question is: approximately what year (or range of years) were each of the historical technological advances discovered/invented IRL? What sort of time frame should I be shooting for when I go from ancient era to medieval era? Medieval to industrial? Industrial to modern?

Thanks to all in advance for your responses.

--SSgtBaloo

 

[bertuzzi's fist]

Well, you could focus on techs that lead to other techs.. don't get dead-end techs like Republic, Music Theory, etc.

Also a lot of international trade. Trade techs for techs, buy techs from other tribes.

And tech advancement really depends on what difficulty you're playing in.

 

[Turner]

First off, lose the idea that you need to discover gunpowder in a certain year to make it historically accurate. Unless you're intentionally trying to recreate the earth map (and it'd be sure luck if you did, the AI doesn't play that way) and follow history that way. Civ is a historically authentic game, not historically accurate. Civ is 'What If?', not 'Let's do it again.' But then, if that's how you like to play, more power to you!

Secondly, what level are you playing? Trading techs with the AI isn't very feasable until you get to Regent level. Before then, and even when you get really good at Regent, you'll be able to out-tech the AI no problem.

However, to answer the question, make sure you road all tiles that your pop is working. This will add a commerce bonus to the tile, and commerce is split up into Tax, Science and Luxary. The more commerce you get, the more you can put into Science. Build Libraries and Uni's when you can, in your high-commerce/low-corruction cities. Build Marketplaces in all cities (not only does it boost commerce, but it also boosts happy faces recieved from lux's) and banks in the HC/LC cities. Build temples to keep the pop happy, and you'll have more money to spend on Science. And do check in with the AI, selling it your techs. Occasionally you'll get a tech from them. But don't be afraid to bleed the AI for all the gold you can. When you sell to one, sell to all, because if you don't, the AI will. Might as well get the gold for it, instead of the AI.

 

[SSgtBaloo]

Originally posted by bertuzzi's fist
Well, you could focus on techs that lead to other techs.. don't get dead-end techs like Republic, Music Theory, etc.

Well, I like to get 'em all, but anything that leads to faster tech advances (or the means to fund them) gets priority.

Also a lot of international trade. Trade techs for techs, buy techs from other tribes.

Never! Well, almost never. I don't like to give up technological advances to the other civs unless I'm sure it's one that won't come back and bite me. I'd rather get there first, if I can. If a more advanced civ is willing to trade something I want bad then that's another story -- it's a real bugger to play catch-up once your civilization starts to fall behind.

And tech advancement really depends on what difficulty you're playing in.

Currently I'm just puttering around at Chieftain and Warlord. In Civ II I usually would play at Warlord or occasionally at regent. When the game starts being too much like work and not enough like fun -- it's time to do something else.

--SSgtBaloo

 

[SSgtBaloo]

Originally posted by Turner_727
First off, lose the idea that you need to discover gunpowder in a certain year to make it historically accurate.

Who's trying for historical accuracy? I just get a kick outta saying "Hey! My ancient Greeks (or whoever I'm playing at the time) discovered gunpowder (or whatever advanced tech) so many centuries before it happened here!" For me, beating "real" history is part of the fun.

--SSgtBaloo

 

[wilbill]

Originally posted by SSgtBaloo
I don't like to give up technological advances to the other civs unless I'm sure it's one that won't come back and bite me. I'd rather get there first, if I can.

As long as you're "just puttering around" at lower levels, you can probably do it that way. Once you start to move into the higher levels, though, trade becomes virtually essential. The AI's start trading with each other at a discounted rate and if you don't trade and buy techs you'll be left in the dust. This is one of the biggest differences between Civ 2 and Civ 3.

 

[SSgtBaloo]

I have nothing against buying tech. If another civ has a tech I need and I'm not just about to finish inventing it myself, then it's a pretty good deal (unless they ask for the sun, moon, and stars in exchange ).

When another civ wants to buy tech from me, however, that means that I am ahead of them at the moment (at least in that area of expertise). I will usually not sell a tech unless it is in trade for a tech I do not have, especially if I just started something else and can't get around to it for a while. If they want it that badly, they can attack me, giving me the excuse I need to "thin their herd" without destroying my rep with other potential enemies.

--SSgtBaloo