Unofficial Poll: What Advance Should We Research Next?

Nubclear · June 20, 2002, 03:18

(This poll expires in five days. Current date is Thrusday, Jine 20 at 1:35 AM US Mountain Time)

Just wondering what the people are wanting at this current moment.

We are currently researching "Bronze Working", which should be done in about 22 turns. After which, we will get the Spearman unit which has 2 defense, one offense, one movement.

I recommend researching Alphabet. Although having no benifits in itself, Alphabet opens the door for both Mathematics and Writing. Although Mathematics provides some benifits (the catipult, and opens the door for currency and is required for construction) writing is truely a gem. Not only does it open the door for Literature, Code of Laws, Philosophy, and Map Making, it allows us to establish embassies with other countries which is required for making certain treaties (which come up later).

UberKrux and Apocalypse also had a suggestion: The Wheel. At first I was completly against it, but after sitting down and thinking about it, it actually may be a viable option. It provides us with the horsemen, a powerful fast attacking unit with a 2 attack, 1 defense, 2 movement rating. This would certainly be benefical to our military counquests which will no doubt be required during a war. However, there is a downside: This unit requires the horses strategic resource. Horses do not appear in jungle so therefore there is a small chance that we will NOT have horses. But again, there is a chance of it and if there are horses near us, we will gain access to a powerful unit. An arguement for this is that there is always a strategic resource near you. But, I still stand by Alphabet. However, this is my second most recommended option.

There is also another advance for warmongers. Iron Working would allow us access to the swordsmen which cannot be upgraded, however, it has a 3.2.1 Attack/Defense/Movement. This would allow us to defend our cities and launch attacks against other Civilizations. However again, there is a chance that we do not have access to the iron strategic resource. In my games, there is less of a chance of Iron appearing than there is horsemen. A big gamble with this advance, however, it does open the door to construction.

Pottery I strongly recommend against because the benefits of this advance are very questionable. The Granary, while improving growth, will open up unhappiness problems which we may not want or be able to deal with at this time. It does allow us to research Map Making (if writing has already been researched) however it's benefits are questionable as well. Map Making is almost useless if were not on an island, however, depending on our position the harbor city improvement could be useful.

Warrior Code is another advance I am not fond of researching because the Archer simply does not have enough benefits to research it. Yes, it does have a 2.1.1 A/D/M, but compared to the War Chariot's 2.1.2....This should be put off for last. It opens the door for Monarchy and Horseback Riding.

Mysticism allows us to build the Oracle. This (I believe) doubles the effect of temples in all cities. This would take care of unhappiness problems although that's the only benefit it has. It's next advance, Polytheism, provides nothing but is required for Monarchy, the first (out of two) warmongering governments.

Remember that because this decision is very far away, this poll is unofficial and has no bearing on what we will research next. Just wanting the peoples opinion in order to formulate my plans.

notyoueither · June 20, 2002, 03:26

I suggest we make the decision in 20 turns when we know what lays on the other side of the banana expanse.

If it is coast. MAP MAKING NOW!

If it is good land, the Wheel.

notyoueither · June 20, 2002, 03:27

If it is good land then coast...

Harovan · June 20, 2002, 03:47

Warrior code, if it's good land. The Wheel (War Chariots) would need a road through the whole jungle, which takes looong even as industrious civ. For Horseback Riding (Horsemen are jungle going, unlike WC's) we would need both Warrior code and The Wheel, so if we discover Warrior code first, we'd have a jungle-going and non resource depending attacker meanwhile.

notyoueither · June 20, 2002, 04:02

Unless we jump.

Nubclear · June 20, 2002, 04:14

To those of you whom are voting for pottery: Can you at least tell us why? I'm confused as to why anyone would vote pottery unless they wanted to get to Map Making faster.

notyoueither · June 20, 2002, 04:18

KruX will croak when he sees this. I am right now.

Nikolai · June 20, 2002, 04:22

I trust you, Tassadar.

PresidentMike · June 20, 2002, 04:23

I vote Iron Working. With our UU out of action due to all the jungle, swordsmen are our next best bet in terms of offensive warfare. With swordsmen we can defend our empire plus blackmail rival civs into giving us maps, money and technology (just before we throw them onto the trash heap of history).

Alphabet would be my second choice: it opens the way to a number of scientific advances. But if we research iron working (and hopefully get lucky enough to find a nearby iron deposit) we might be able to quickly blackmail alphabet out of a rival. That's the advantage of IW: it takes awhile to develop, but once you've got it you can use it to get caught up in the tech race.

Guardian · June 20, 2002, 04:23

In spite of the minister's recommendations, I voted for pottery because the growth benefits of the granary will allow us to produce more workers and settlers faster. This will aid our early expansion, which will in turn help us get the other techs sooner.

However, I will also support alphabet.

notyoueither · June 20, 2002, 04:28

How many who have voted have played emporer?

Sorry to be elitist, but...

This ain't civ 2.

Harovan · June 20, 2002, 04:30

Quote:

Originally posted by notyoueither
How many who have voted have played emporer?

Sorry to be elitist, but...

This ain't civ 2.

Wise words, but the wind will blow them away unheard, I fear

.

Spiffor · June 20, 2002, 04:30

I strongly recommand we use this vote as a reference for our tech planning, rather than the others. It's the one which gives all choices, and whose question and answers aren't rigged at all. This poll is undoubtedly the most democratic one on the issue.

notyoueither · June 20, 2002, 04:33

Please, do not tie Tass to the outcome.

First of all. We do not yet know enough to make a good decision. Another 10 turns are required (or so).

We are all running off half cocked, because none of us can wait for the next turns.

Many things are premature.

Nikolai · June 20, 2002, 04:36

I haven't played Emperor... But how come?

Guardian · June 20, 2002, 04:39

Quote:

Originally posted by notyoueither
How many who have voted have played emporer?

Sorry to be elitist, but...

This ain't civ 2.

I know it isn't Civ II. I also haven't played Civ III on the Emperor level yet. (Just beat the @#$?! out of it on Regent though...)

The granary-thing may be somewhat premature, but I said I'd also support alphabet.

notyoueither · June 20, 2002, 04:47

The thing about 3 is it plays out completely differently on the different levels.

What seems to work on Monarch or Regent, you don't have time for at Emp or Deity.

REX is the only sure bet at higher levels. However, all we can do is REX into a swamp!

To be honest, I do not know any players who can win in any and all given starts at Emp or Deity. That includes Aeson if that means anything to you.

We have an absolute crap start. We must be very careful. We must not jump ahead of ourselves. Otherwise we may be entertaining Immortals in our capitol before 1000 BC. Or, we'll get off our island in galleys in time to see the Greeks floating by in Caravels.

Harovan · June 20, 2002, 04:56

notyoueither is right. Despite of rare exceptions, you can't win Emperor as a peaceful builder. And Regent strategies lead on Emperor to a certain defeat. If that is what you want, go ahead.

Zarg · June 20, 2002, 05:11

i do play civ3 on emperor and in most cases i win as peaceful builder. of course not if i start off from a really bad starting position.
but its not really clear for now if this starting position is really that bad. we dont know if its an island and where the jungle ends and what's behind.
so lets wait with this poll 20 turns and we will see clearer.

Nubclear · June 20, 2002, 05:16

Quote:

Originally posted by Zarg
i do play civ3 on emperor and in most cases i win as peaceful builder. of course not if i start off from a really bad starting position.
but its not really clear for now if this starting position is really that bad. we dont know if its an island and where the jungle ends and what's behind.
so lets wait with this poll 20 turns and we will see clearer.

I'd just like to remind everyone that this is an unofficial poll. I simply want to know the mindset of the people at this moment.

Nym · June 20, 2002, 08:46

I never played on Emperor level (still improving my skills at Monarch), but I think wheel would be useful to locate horse resources.

The Thing · June 20, 2002, 08:52

I vote for warroir code. With the archer we can attack our enemies early, when they are more vulnerable to attack. With archers we dont need iron and horses.

If we have conquered some cities with archers we can make peace for techs like the wheel. Then we can switch to war chariots or swordmen as offensive weapons.

jdjdjd · June 20, 2002, 11:09

I agree with Zarg,

I banana'd.... its really to early...I like the Aplhabet next, because it does lead to MapMaking which we may need, however, we could be on the tip of a large land mass and then MapMaking ain't so necessary yet. Maybe we need the Spearman....if the Romans or Banana Vampires or some other militant group are beyond the Jungle. Maybe its a two headed monster with reincarnations of Allen Dulles and J. Edgar Hoover, and then we better build swordsman to chop off their heads.

...who knows yet.

Lets repoll in 10 or 20 turns.

Kuciwalker · June 20, 2002, 11:31

We need our War Chariots.

Jon Shafer · June 20, 2002, 12:14

Abstain. As others have said, this isn't the time to make that decision... we have another 20 turns.

Franses · June 20, 2002, 13:09

On emperor level it is often better not to waste money on research in ancient times. Instead money should be saved to buy the techs from other civ's.

I am quite disappointed that our science advisor did not add this possibility to the poll and our president did not interfere. It makes you doubt whether they are the right people for the job.

PS: Sorry, could not resist to add the last alinea.

Jon Shafer · June 20, 2002, 13:15

What do you think there's an 'abstain' option for.

jdd2007 · June 20, 2002, 13:25

ha! the wheel has pulled even with alphabet!

Inverse Icarus · June 20, 2002, 13:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Franses
It makes you doubt whether they are the right people for the job.

this post brought to you by supreme military commander UberKruX. Glory Comes From Spilt Blood.

The Thing · June 20, 2002, 14:08

I agree with franses. After i get the techs to build the appropriate offensive unit i set research on 10% in ancient times. Techs i get from negotiating peace treaties, when my troops conquer enemy cities.