To expand on Vlad's reference to Oedo's findings...
Each tech is assigned a "number" 0,1 or 2. The number can be determined by listing the techs alphabetically.
That number fits into a fairly simple formula and if the result is evenly divisible by 3, then techs with that number are unavailable. (the programmers probably do this with a modulo function. I haven't tried to convert oedo's formula into a simpler programming algorithm)
Refer to the
oedo's unfinished thread to see the original discussion.**
There is one exception to the general "xxo" rule...the first tech in alphabetical order (that you have prereqs for) will ALWAYS be available, so Alphabet will never disappear, but Pottery might. Once you get Alphabet, something like Bronze Working will be available unless you have the prereqs for Astronomy, and so on.
The count includes techs from Huts traded techs, GL techs and of course "learned" techs. I think Starting techs do not factor into the equation.
Oedo has shown that to get to Monarchy you MUST research something "off topic", or get a tech from somewhere else because Monarchy and it's 2 prereqs (CoL and CerBur)all have the same Number.
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There are some who call me...Tim