Outperforming AI in science on Monarch

[Migalart]

I play on Monarch. I am rushing for science. I will not go to all commonly known details like deforestation ….just the essence.

Elizabeth is my favorite, I rush for commerce and Great Persons. I put all Great Persons to my “SUPER” city with the national wonders: national epic and oxford. I prefer great science persons, the first is building the academy , the rest are joining the city.
I keep “representation” that is producing extra 3 science from each specialist. Pyramids are very helpful to get early representation. Generally in late game my SUPER city has population around 20-25 , 3-6 of them are specialist, and city has 15-20 super specialist.
This city can generate easy 800-1000 science points each turn

Terrain is not so important, all you need is food to feed population, and cotages. You can get 1000 science in almost every terrain.
Production is generated by great persons.
Example of screen from one of my latest game, the city is still not large (only 16) and can generate almost 900 science. Unfortunately you can not scroll all your super specialstin the city , you can anly see first 5 or 6.

http://nelderim.org/pliki/misc/london.jpg

(I asume that in best possible terrain total max is about 1500 science form one city, but I didnt get it yet).

I am always the best with technology. On Monarch difficulty level I was able to have Infantry (20) against computer longbow man (6). However I am much weaker in production, there is one shortcut – draft
This way I can beat my closest opponents. Later I can get to modern tank and stealth bombers in the time that computer has rifleman. I get to conquest victory.

Unfortunately on imperator level it is much more difficult, I am still able to be the best in science, but AI is so much better in production and I am unable to win. During last game on imperator I had modern tank and stealth bombers and I was defeated by AI using swarm of standard bombers, tanks and gunships :/

 

[Shillen]

Could I see a screenshot of your 800-1000 science cities? I'd like to see what kind of balance between commerce and production you have. Because in order to make it a super science city it needs to have production to build all the science buildings etc. But it also needs the high commerce tiles of course. So I'd love to see a picture of your city to get an idea of a good city location for a super science city.

 

[Migalart]

As you wish

I have added the screen in my first post

 

[Shillen]

Thanks! Yeah seems you need to be good in all 3 areas, food, production and commerce. Capitals tend to be good for that, whether your starting capital or a captured one.

 

[Marvin77]

This night I actually won for a first time on Emperor (after several unsuccessful attempts) - spaceship after 1900, Romans, small map, continents. I found out that an *extremely* good counter to the production bonuses of the AI is to build the Kremlin and then use cash rush - works very well. I rushed all important wonders thereafter: The Statue of Liberty, The Dam, The Space Elevator and even the not so important Eiffel Tower. However you have to give up representation - which will hurt your science output. This seems very important decision - when to switch from representation to US, i.e. science vs. production. For me it seems that the best moment to do that is exactly when you finish the Kremlin.

Regards

 

[Marvin77]

Forgot to add before - it is very usefull for rushing laboratories and factories in all of our cities and a few national wonders (e.g. Ironworks, Scotland Yard, SDI) .