The Liberalism Enigma.

[vra379971]

I'm not saying I don't win my games. I do. I play at Prince, above that I could probably win too, but I'm not up for those lately. What I don't get is what happens to create the tech explosion I see during this stage.

It happens in this manner each time it does. All civs which are still looking to lead are basically 0-3 techs behind the leader...Then, liberalism hits, and two or three civs suddenly open a massive teach lead of 2-5 techs. I've been beelining for Sankore since I got Warlords, and with bombers I crushed the Panzers and Marines Wan and Fred threw at my Infantry as of late. So the question is this. WHY does getting Liberalism push civs so GREATLY ahead...?

 

[kl0pper]

free tech + trade

 

[dalessi12]

Because of the civics it enables, and the timing of its discovery.

It enables Free Speech and Free Religion.

Free Speech gives +2 gold for towns.

Free Religion gives 10% extra research.

Add to this the fact it comes directly after Education, and around the time of Astronomy, and you have civs building their Universities, Observatiories, and Oxford at this time.

They are also running more specialists as their cities grow (and Representation comes around this time), and their cottages are becoming towns.

It should be roughly equal for all players, but the first to enact these civics and build these buildings will temporarily jump big time, and civs that cottage spam (especially if financial) will likely keep that gap, even as the others eventually build the research buildings.

 

[carl corey]

Also keep in mind that if an AI switches to Free Religion it will have better relations with those who had a different state religion from him before Liberalism. And as better relations mean more trading...

I played a game in which a whole continent was Hindu and they traded like mad and were a little ahead of me. Just when I was pulling back one of them gets Liberalism, so pop! another free tech. And since everyone was happy with each other they again traded techs to move further in front of me. I managed to come back by going for some less researched techs and trading them to all of the AIs. I was also in the process of conquering my continent and cottaging everywhere proved enough to get me back given my huge population.

So, if you don't get Liberalism first you'd better start taking over some cities. It's amazing what late cottaging can do for your empire if it's a big enough one.