Research

[iamnleth]

After reading that frob2900 was able to complete the research of biology in 780 AD using liberalism, I was conviced that I needed to improve.

I usually play as Elizabeth on a standard or large pangea at prince level. I begin by building warrior>warrior>worker>archer>settler. I research Hunting>Archery>The Wheel>Pottery. I do this so that I may build archers for early defense and so that my workers can construct cottages (primarily around my capital). In the early game, I basically cottage spam the capital as soon as pottery is completed (city governor set to emphasize commerce. This is one of the things I am unsure about, as this kills production in my capital). After pottery is researched, I head for Bronze Working, Agriculture, and Animal Husbandry to hook up resources. My second city is founded near copper so that it may become a temporary production city. I set it to build one archer followed by Stonehenge. I need Stonehenge primarily for the Great Prophet, which I use to construct a holy shrine (if I have founded Judaism) or lightbulb Theology (founding Christianity). I usually head for Judaism after pottery, but it is unlikely that I get it. If I don't, I head for Christianity.

That basically sums up the early game for me. Following my first settler, I usually construct archer>worker>worker>settler>archer>granary>barracks in the capital. After founding a religion, I begin to research towards Mathematics (for the Hanging Gardens) and Literature (for the Great Library). If my research is 50 or 60%, I'm almost always beaten to them. I continue to construct cottages in newly founded cities.

I would like to know what your strategy is for research. I would really like to know how a Liberalism>Biology slingshot is possible at 780 AD. I would also appreciate input on the "strategy" I have given. If it's a terrible way to do things, please tell me! My main concerns are that my cities are not growing fast enough to work cottages, and if I farm land around the cities, they grow too large to support so early in the game. Your opinion would be much appreciated!

 

[johnny_rico]

I would skip archery altogether and prioritize BW and AH. Find the horses and copper fast and skip the archers.

for a build order, I usually go worker, warrior, settler. However, if there is a fishing resource available in my capital, fishing will become a priority tech (food + commerce) and a workboat may be the first build.

I think you should do a lot of experimenting instead of settling in on a pattern. Play with different civs and try for different early techs, wonders, etc.

 

[DaveMcW]

Up until about 1000 AD, you can dominate research by turtling in your capital.

Switch to Hereditary Rule for cheap unlimited 's
Use Bureaucracy for +50% commerce
Build cottages and watch them mature into wealthy towns.
Get a Great Scientist and builld an academy.
Get more Great Scientists and lightbulb expensive techs.

Unfortunately, your fast tech rate is useless if you don't have an empire big enough to apply your discoveries.

 

[frob2900]

After reading that frob2900 was able to complete the research of biology in 780 AD using liberalism, I was conviced that I needed to improve.

I usually play as Elizabeth on a standard or large pangea at prince level. I begin by building warrior>warrior>worker>archer>settler. I research Hunting>Archery>The Wheel>Pottery. I do this so that I may build archers for early defense and so that my workers can construct cottages (primarily around my capital). In the early game, I basically cottage spam the capital as soon as pottery is completed (city governor set to emphasize commerce. This is one of the things I am unsure about, as this kills production in my capital). After pottery is researched, I head for Bronze Working, Agriculture, and Animal Husbandry to hook up resources. My second city is founded near copper so that it may become a temporary production city. I set it to build one archer followed by Stonehenge. I need Stonehenge primarily for the Great Prophet, which I use to construct a holy shrine (if I have founded Judaism) or lightbulb Theology (founding Christianity). I usually head for Judaism after pottery, but it is unlikely that I get it. If I don't, I head for Christianity.

That basically sums up the early game for me. Following my first settler, I usually construct archer>worker>worker>settler>archer>granary>barracks in the capital. After founding a religion, I begin to research towards Mathematics (for the Hanging Gardens) and Literature (for the Great Library). If my research is 50 or 60%, I'm almost always beaten to them. I continue to construct cottages in newly founded cities.

I would like to know what your strategy is for research. I would really like to know how a Liberalism>Biology slingshot is possible at 780 AD. I would also appreciate input on the "strategy" I have given. If it's a terrible way to do things, please tell me! My main concerns are that my cities are not growing fast enough to work cottages, and if I farm land around the cities, they grow too large to support so early in the game. Your opinion would be much appreciated!

Those two warriors you build at the start are between worker chops, right?
That is, I build one worker then chop the second using the queue to grow while chopping. The second worker is good to have since one can build improvements rapidly so that the city is always working improved tiles.

I then build of a warrior/settler and settle the second city which would generally be a GP farm when playing elizabeth. Concentrate on getting GS as soon and as often. Stockpile them for key techs.

The holy shrine stuff will slow this kind of slingshot down. You dont really want any prophets. Stonehenge is probably a bad idea although the Great Wall might possibly, just possibly sometimes be worth it (on raging barbs it certainly is).

Youll generally get confucianism using rapid CoL research but i suppose a prophet could be an idea if you dont get it, since pacifism is so nice.

However a big caveat is, just like DaveMcW said, that one must turtle in order to have such a fantastic tech pace. Expanding costs time/money/effort and will slow research down. But on the other hand a large empire will heavily outtech a small one in the endgame, therefore some balance must be found.

I'm leaning towards trying to hone a chemistry/steel slingshot, then being able to annihilate AIs easily, then beelining towards nationalism while whipping granaries/courthouses in the newly acquired cities. The cherry on the top should then be to get the Taj Mahal once one has ca 10-12 cities. If once can pull that of (and in the best case lightbulbing sci/meth, biology along the way) then one could theoretically be in the endgame in the 14th century on prince. After nationalism/Taj Mahal once can really tech trade like crazy if one wants a fast space race...

 

[OceansEleven]

Barbarians?

I hate barbarians. I check them off. Stupid thing. I sometimes use it to see what happens. Somewhat hurts me. But it makes me build a bigger military so I can invade earlier...

First thing I do *without Barb* is worker. Then settler. If I got a warrior, hopefully he is done done navigating the area so I can send him back. If not, I'll build a warrior and then maybe start on Stonehenge. Get a few turns knocked off, and switch to Settler.

But I'd go for Bronze Working MUCH earlier. I usually do Religion > Bronze Working > Other needed stuff (including the Oracle one ASAP, along with Pottery)

 

[Syndrome Zed]

I would skip archery altogether and prioritize BW and AH. Find the horses and copper fast and skip the archers.

for a build order, I usually go worker, warrior, settler. However, if there is a fishing resource available in my capital, fishing will become a priority tech (food + commerce) and a workboat may be the first build.

I think you should do a lot of experimenting instead of settling in on a pattern. Play with different civs and try for different early techs, wonders, etc.

Yeah, I do the worker first unless I have a) absolutely nothing I can improve in the fat cross (almost never happens, there's usually something that can be improved by a worker), or b) fish! Fish are a wonderful thing for a capital to start with - lots of food, guaranteed commerce, and you don't have to sacrifice turns of city growth waiting for a worker to build, since you can build the workboat instead.

And I agree - experiment and use different leaders with different traits. You'll get a better feel for the game and why things work the way they do, and this'll let you know when you can just try a "standardized" strategy/build order, and when circumstances dictate having to modify/change that build order to accomplish your goal.