Mad Scientist POll for the Next RPC

[grandad1982]

Joao, Joao! I think barbs should be left on. that would give you a primitive people to stomp!

I really love the image of a fleet of ships setting off for the new world to start a new life.

I'd make your first settler wave mostly consist of millitart - could pick up some cheap barb cities and set up a fog busted area to put your settlers in.

 

[siggboy]

You know this means Optics beeline....

On a serious note, you don't need to beeline optics at all unless it is made a rule (I think it should be made a rule for this RPC). The AI does not go for Optics, and even when they have it they can't do much except for explore the seas and maybe the new continent (I think the AI does not carry over Explorers to map out the landmass).

So, before Astronomy you will have zero competition over there. This means plenty of time to set foot onto the new lands, so no rush for Optics is necessary at all.

Therefore I'm proposing to make beelining Optics, and colonizing, a rule: Joao has to research towards Optics whenever possible, deviations from the beeline are allowed only if staying on the tech-path towards Optics would be suicidal, or against all reason.
After that, Joao must establish a colony as quickly as possible (either by capping a barbarian city or settling one).

I'm not sure if any further rules concerning the colony should be enforced. Economically it makes a lot of sense to move the Palace as soon as possible anyway, because the additional maintenance costs for overseas cities are HUGE.