Philosophy: Worth Researching

[NankingDan]

I just started up a game as Theodora, and decided to try out researching philosophy. For everyone who dosen't know, the first person to discover philosophy in C3C gets a free advance upon discovery. I was reaching for Mathmatics (14 turns) to get the Statue of Zeus, but instead researched Philosophy in 9 turns than chose Mathmatics as my free advance. Basically, I got Mathmatics in 9 turns from Philosophy instead of in 14 turns by research. If you are in a position to achieve Philosophy first, take it! Philosophy is cheaper than other techs, thus your free tech can be gotten sooner than by simply researching it! It also dosen't hurt to be competetive and steal the opportunity from your rivals - don't go out of your way to be the first to research philosophy, but definitely do it if you are in a position to.

 

[LaRo]

I got litterature instead of mathematics and with the scientific leader I got to be the first with Philosophy, I rushed Great Library.

Very good decision because I got at least 10 free techs before Education.

BTW, I was playing Greeks.

 

[NankingDan]

I also got a scientific leader when I discovered philosophy/mathmatics. I was the Byzantines, another scientific civ.

 

[Park Ranger]

I love the new Philosophy mostly for breaking my (near) dependancy on the Great Library and making it possible to keep up in tech in the Ancient era.

A recent thread dealt with the strategy using the free tech from Philosophy to get Republic. It means you have to research Code of Laws first, then research Philosophy ahead of all the other civs with writing. Not so impossible as it seems since Ai likes to get MapMaking once they have writing.

Well, I tried it the other day and it worked!! (on Emperor, anyways). I was a republic for a good 20-30 turns before any other civ had their first revolution. (Thanks to whoever sugggested this stategy)

So I'd say the new philosophy rules have opened up a whole bunch of new tech stratgies for the Ancient Era. Any civ that starts the game with Alphabet has a decent shot at being first to research Philo, IMO.

 

[Commander Bello]

I agree that Phil has become more attractive now, especially since the Great Library is dependant on whom you know about.
On the other hand, it is a little bit too cheap, as far as I see it... Especially with the Mausoleum.

You may bee-line for Phil, then at wish you get Literature or Mapmaking. Since the Mauseloum triggers 3 unhappy people to become content, your wonder-producing city gets a significant boost. Most times enough, to build the Mausoleum and the Great Library (or the Great Lighthouse) as well in that particular city.

So, with getting Phil, you are already on a good path for a cultural (city) win...
In most games you can expect Philosophy to give you TWO world wonders...

 

[HellboundHeathcliff]

I was just researching mathematics, 5 turns to go, popped a goody hut and got philosophy, SGL, and mathematics. Traded for literature and had the Great Library next turn

 

[cgannon64]

In my current game I researched Philosophy, got Lit free, got an SGL, rushed the Great Library.

What can I say. I love Philosophy.

 

[DBear]

So philosophy was changed for Conquests? I know philosophy gave a free tech in Civ2, but it hadn't in Civ3 or PTW.

 

[kring]

Originally posted by DBear
So philosophy was changed for Conquests? I know philosophy gave a free tech in Civ2, but it hadn't in Civ3 or PTW.

Yes, it was changed in Conquests to get the free tech.

 

[Mr. Cackle]

Speaking of the free tech, why is Philosophy the only bonus tech?

 

[Commander Bello]

Originally posted by Mr. Cackle
Speaking of the free tech, why is Philosophy the only bonus tech?

It isn't. In modern ages, the Theory of Evolution (ToE) will give you two free advances.

As stated above, Philosophy has been significantly been 'beefed up' in C3C. From a former 'just pass through' to something which can put you on the victory road, if you manage to get it first.
So, nowadays it is just a little bit to cheap, as far as I see it....

 

[ChrTh]

The only caveat with Philosophy is that you're taking a risk, especially on a large or bigger map, that another Civ has already discovered it.
Since my strategy is usually to get the heck out of the Ancient Ages as soon as possible, I choose whichever Tech has the longest research time as my bonus.

 

[Commander Bello]

ChrTh,

even if you are not the first civ to uncover the secrets of Philosophy, with the Mausoleum it offers quite a benefit in the early game - well, as long as your wonder-city (most times the capital, I guess) is located near fresh water.
If you manage to build it, you get the 3 content citizens (way earlier than with a cathedral), you get the culture for it and you will get quite some money later on.
So, just hurry!

 

[ChrTh]

@Bello,

I haven't had the opportunity to build the Mausoleum yet, although I will with my next 20k game. But, my post was strictly from a Tech Advancement perspective, I wasn't considering the Wonder aspect.

BTW, Temple of Artemis + Great Library means Education SUCKS!

 

[cgannon64]

Originally posted by ChrTh
The only caveat with Philosophy is that you're taking a risk, especially on a large or bigger map, that another Civ has already discovered it.
Since my strategy is usually to get the heck out of the Ancient Ages as soon as possible, I choose whichever Tech has the longest research time as my bonus.

That is what I hate about it. Especially if, on the last turn, you notice that you can drop the science rate surprisingly low while still getting it in 1 turn, which is usually a sign that someone else got it.

So far I'm 2 for 2 though.

 

[USC]

Chrth,

Well of course... everybody KNOWS school sux!

USC