Research strategy decision #2

[Blkbird]

After we've discussed the next research strategy (here), a decision should be made now.

The options are again intentionally vague. You're free to provide additional input besides voting.

This poll is public and an official Referendum, opening for 3 days. However, the next Game Session may be held before the end of this poll. Please be advised that votes which come in later than 3 hours before the begin of the Game Session may no longer be considered.

 

[Swissempire]

I voted to stick with the path we are on. I have been a strong proponent of the Get-TO-ALphabet path, and i have staed the reasons many times. The tech boost is worth the most of all our options. Why reasearch small techs we we can get them for no turn investment?!

 

[Hardvark]

I think that we neglect military research at our peril. It's not that long until barbarians emerge and then we'll need archers.

 

[Swissempire]

Hardvark makes a good point, but why reasearch archry when in a couple of turn s you can trade for it and get two techs for the price of one!!(a.k.a Getting Alphabet and then gaining all the techs we missed, pushing our selves ahead and making veryone happy, because evryone will have there techs!)

 

[Beorn-eL-Feared]

Other:

1- Top to bottom
3- Right to left
4- As soon as they come handy

In that order.

 

[akots]

There is obvious need to research mining and bronze working. It is a key military tech and is required for the survival of the nation. What use is Alphabet if we cannot defend ourselves neither from barbarians nor from aggressive neighbors. Also, then we would need only hunting to be able to build a good defensive unit like spearmen. Archers suck and axemen rule!

 

[GeorgeOP]

I think we need mining. We have floodplains and farms. Now we need mines to go on those hills. Then we can specialize BW in either growth or building, whichever we need. After that, we should aim for the Oracle.

 

[azzaman333]

I believe that we should go Mining, Bronze, and then fastest way to preisthood and chop rush oracle to get CoL.

 

[Tubby Rower]

I'm with the gun-toting groundhog.

 

[Hardvark]

Looking at the poll, I'm fighting a losing battle, but to quote General Foch, 'My right is falling back, my left is collapsing, my centre cannot hold. I shall attack.' Bronze working will allow us to kick barbarian arse with axeman, but only if we have a source of copper. If we charge straight for bronze working and find no copper, we'll be pretty much defenceless against the barbarian hordes.

Contrary to akots assertion, archers don't suck. A well situated and properly promoted archer will beat an axeman. They can certainly buy us time whilst we wait to see if we have copper, and if not, whilst we hare towards iron working in desperation!

 

[akots]

... A well situated and properly promoted archer will beat an axeman. ...

Yes, sure, and spearman can beat tank.

The point is do we want to fight on the defensive (and get less promotions) and let the enemy pillage our improvements and abuse our citizens? Or we want to meet our foes face to face and attack them as soon as they violate our borders? Do we want to be weak and meek or strong and powerful? Cowardly hiding in the hills afraid to face the enemy? No, I don't think this is a good way to go for us, not at least on Prince difficulty which is a very easy level indeed.

 

[DaveShack]

Hardvark makes a good point, but why reasearch archry when in a couple of turn s you can trade for it and get two techs for the price of one!!(a.k.a Getting Alphabet and then gaining all the techs we missed, pushing our selves ahead and making veryone happy, because evryone will have there techs!)

Have you actually tried this? My experience with going towards Alphabet first has been a lot of cold shoulder treatment from the AI's. They're a lot more respectful if you have a few axemen when that first trade opportunity comes along.

 

[Swissempire]

I vae tried this. The only two games that i have won on Prince have been with this startegy. I'm not saying its the only good one, far from it, but this strategy has many benfeits! THough i see an insurmountable deficit. 75% is a lotta people!

 

[BCLG100]

i went with the whole manufacturing option.

 

[Tubby Rower]

I have played the Alpha beeline in at least 3 games. While being effective in the short run, I like Dave get the cold shoulder from almost everyone of the AI. The reason for them not wanting to trade is "We fear you are becoming too advanced". I get this even if they pass me in techs.

BW has better options in the short term and you still have time to get Alpha before the AI. But with this wait, you won't be too greedy and the AI won't despise you as much.

 

[Hardvark]

Yes, sure, and spearman can beat tank.

Well I've yet to see that happen in Civ 4. But I've definitely seen archers repeatedly beat axeman, admitedly on the defensive. However, you can't expand that rapidly to stop barbarians spawning at all, so we're going to have to defend somewhere just to protect our towns. Great if we can do that with axeman. But oh boy, if we don't get copper.....