Tech trading

[Bilko]

I don't know how other people do it, but I usually like to specialize in one line, to get to the other end of the tree as quickly as I can. That way, I can trade my techs for other ones that I don't have, and make a profit. Being next to multiple civs helps, too. But just to show how well this works: I was researching construction, which is at the far right of the AA tech tree in DyP. It took me a while, and the AIs got Vassalage, Code of Laws and Tactics while I researched it. But, I managed to trade Contruction for not only those 3 techs, but also 71 gold, just by getting one from each neighboring civ, because nobody else had Construction or was even researching it. And this is on Emperor, so I found that rather impressive.

Is this what most people tend to do, or do some of you more advanced guys do different stuff?

 

[homeyg]

Sometimes, instead of doing what you said, I try to research techs that the AI doesn't already have so I can try to pull some twofers or maybe even a couple threefers. I don't find going in a straight line as effective, though.

 

[OzJeremy]

I'll have to try that. The AI always wants to rip me off with ridiculous deals, so I've tended to try not rely on its largesse to much, which is what I'd be afraid I'd have to do if I didn't research a fair smattering of other techs to defend myself with.

 

[hoplite505]

one time i got a 2 for 5 deal

 

[alamo]

A tech with wonder or leading to wonder seems to be extremely valuable when you have sole possession.

I sold SciMeth for a fortune the turn before I build ToE, and Ceasar wasn't even annoyed afterwards - stupid AI!