Policy Paths

[Stalker0]

I was curious what people's general strategy was when they go down various trees. Here is how I normally go.

Tradition
1) Tier 1 - Varies. I default right for the culture and faith, but there are some great wonder rush strategies with the left side.
2) Tier 3 - Always left, than right.

Progress
1) Tier 1 - My default is left, though I will go right for the free worker depending on my starting terrain.
2) Tier 2 - I push left first, then go back right for Fraternity, and Equality is always last pick. I like Fraternity, but I feel going the culture earlier ensures I get more policies quicker.

Authority
1) Always Straight left then I go right. The left tree jumpstarts everything else.

Fealty
1) Straight down the middle all the way, then I go right, and left to finish off the tree. Organized Religion does feel good to get early, but Burghars is just so damn good.

Statecraft
1) I go left for the first 2. I actually like the right side better, but Shadow Networks is very powerful if you get it early. Extra spies really help speed your science catchup, but there use drops quickly, so its best to get them as early as possible. Further, Great Diplomats also loss value very quickly (once the embassies fill up), so sooner is better.

2) I then go the entire right side, and finish up on Consulates.

Artistry
1) Tier 1: Left then Right
2) Tier 2: Right than left

Industry
Straight right, then I go back and straight left. The left bonuses are powerful, but the right bonuses give me new things to do with building, instead of just being "better" at it.

Imperalism
1) Tier 1, I usually go right and then back left....unless I have done a lot of puppeting. That monopoly bonus can be awesome.
2) Then I go straight left for the rest of the tree, lastly come back to Regimentalism to end the tree.

Rationalism
1) Tier 1: Right then back left.
2) Tier 2: Right to Free Thought, and then I go left all the way.

 

[tommytoxen]

i only ever open with authority. since bumping up difficulty levels i struggle in early wars and i find without authority i just get rekt.

but yes like you i always go straight left for that settler then right.

imperialism it depends on the situation. i can go either left or right depending on what bonuses i need most at that moment. i usually play in large/huge maps so upgrading in city states/vassals is a must. but if i'm only playing on standard it doesn't matter as much.

same as fealty, depends what bonuses i need at that time, but *usually* right or middle.

i've never used any other policies, i probably should diversify some games but right now authority -> imperialism is how i manage to survive on higher difficulties.

 

[phantomaxl1207]

I have found myself going through Trees in similar repetition, as you have noted, gravitating towards the same policies. Policies, such as Splendor, Imperium, and Shadow Network, are selling points of those Policy Trees.

 

[andersw]

i only ever open with authority. since bumping up difficulty levels i struggle in early wars and i find without authority i just get rekt.

but yes like you i always go straight left for that settler then right.

imperialism it depends on the situation. i can go either left or right depending on what bonuses i need most at that moment. i usually play in large/huge maps so upgrading in city states/vassals is a must. but if i'm only playing on standard it doesn't matter as much.

same as fealty, depends what bonuses i need at that time, but *usually* right or middle.

i've never used any other policies, i probably should diversify some games but right now authority -> imperialism is how i manage to survive on higher difficulties.

I've found it to be useful for some games to instead take 2 rationalism for university happiness (and also for the rationalism general happiness modifier reduction).and combine it with 2-3 imperialism (mainly courthouse happiness).

 

[saamohod]

Now tell us about your Ideology preferences.

 

[tommytoxen]

autocracy.