Starting Tech

[gskyes]

I always research pottery first (unless I started with it). This is so I can build a granary after the first settler is built. After that it is usually the wheel because only 1 civilization starts with it. All the other first level techs I trade for or get from goody huts.

 

[budweiser]

Last night I played a game as France, standard continent, emporer. Just to see if I could, I did 50 turn minimum to math, and got there first. Then I did 50 turn minimum to currency, and got there first. When I got to currency I was able to trade my way to the second age. I was stinking rich. I was pretty amazed.

 

[RegentMan]

The wheel. I must know where my resources are. Iron working isn't too far behind.

 

[InFlux5]

I voted as though I didn't start with any tech. The Philosophy beeline is almost always my strategy; but if I don't start with Alphabet I might not go for it first because it's so expensive. I will probably save it for my second tech and go for Pottery if I don't have it, in order to go to Map Making from Philosophy.

I am a research/tech freak in this game and I always try for SGLs when I can. Obviously the Philosophy rush is the best way, but lately I've been going for The Wheel first. If Japan isn't in the game you're almost certain to get it first (maybe there are civs that go for The Wheel first - Egypt? Hittites? - but it seems it is low on everyone's priority list.)

Anyway, Seafaring civs are my favorite so Writing will almost always be my first research.

 

[Hakim]

I'm annoyed if I forget to set the research at 0 before the science advisor asks. Trade all the way, baby!

 

[superslug]

For me it depends on the AI/game type.

If it's GOTM, I usually go for Ceremonial Burial as I tend to go for 20k's and Monarchy.

If it's HOF, I don't typically select my AI's to be Industrious, so I go for Masonry with the hopes of a MasonrySGL=Pyramids.

 

[island007]

What ever gets me closer to Philosophy?

so, on you list, that would be alphabet.

 

[Own]

pottery= granary= settler farm= settler every 4 turns= sweet

 

[microbe]

Pottery, of course. Then Alphabet.

 

[Praetorian]

I kinda like those pyramids

 

[homeyg]

If it's Conquests, I would definately go for Alphabet because then you are one step closer to getting a free tech with Philosophy. If you don't beeline for it you won't get it.

 

[Abegweit]

There is no one right answer. Depending on the start, the level, the game (PTW/vanilla vs C3C), the configuration (continents, pangea, archipelago) and the civ, it might be:

pottery
beeline to writing and contacts
beeline to philo
beeline to repubic slingshot
any second-level tech

 

[Hirachi Dinavo]

I go for alphabet first. I usually play as agricultural civs, so I get pottery free and everything else is going to take about 50 turns anyway so I go for the most expensive tech.

 

[Hyronymus]

Ceremonial Burial for me. On the higher levels it's good to start building temples as soon as possible.

 

[Own]

if going for great library, france is the best. start with masonry for palace prebuild, and alphabet to get closer.

 

[Tomoyo]

if going for great library, france is the best. start with masonry for palace prebuild, and alphabet to get closer.

Wouldn't Carthage be better, since Seafaring would give them more gold to get to Lit?

 

[Swiss Bezerker]

the wheel. because of lack of civs that start with it its tradable.And as regent man poited out, having a head-start knowledge on where horses are helps

 

[Aramazd]

Pottery, graineries rock

 

[thetrooper]

Beeline to Philosophy. So Alphabet if I don't have it, Writing if I do.

Variant: (alphabet) - writing - col - philosophy - republic (hopefully as the free tech from philosophy).

 

[drunk7daysaweek]

why are granaries so important?