Game strategies for research

i go for communications theory, thru it to trade and dimplomatic translators. I buy the translators and can usually get the ai's to give me either most of their techs or almost all of their cash and maybe a planet or 2. Then at least i have a running start against them. It seems that if you trade the same tech to all the races then everybody is equal, you've just taken a lot of their money for it. Then i buy constructors etc..

my fingers need a spell checker :VOMIT: that's what happens when you hands usually work on a tablet with a pen (rotoscope hell)

rich

Depends on the galaxy size and AI level. I often go for propulsion, cold fusion and then transports first. With some starting points in speed this can allow your constructors to get most of the resources. It can also allow you to build transports and invade minors before they have time to build ship. Very useful for taking new planets off majors as well!

After that I go for communications, universal translator, diplomancy and trade.

Paul.

I usually start with Communications theory, Universal Translator, Propulsion theory, Cold Fusion and then work on whatevere is cheaper generally with the odd strategic exception.

Early in the game, I don't know how I plan to win, so the most useful feature is mobility. Fast ships help me outcolonize or outfight the aliens. Also, Impulse Drive lets me build transports, which I can use as early-game cheap Defenders.

Then I go for Defenders and place them on my planets. By then I have an idea of how the game is shaping up, so I can start making plans on how I might win this thing.

I go for Propulsion Theory, Cold Fusion, Medical Theory (with my tax & spend rate, I usually get the Research Lab just as my first Soil Enhancement is built), Impulse Drive (Transports!), then Industrial Theory.

I sometimes as long as Warp Drive before getting Communications Theory, particularly in larger galaxies where I don't meet aliens until later in the game. This is always nice, because by the time I meet the aliens I'm whizzing around at warp speed and Earth is working on Gravity Accelerators. The speed advantage makes a big difference in whose constructor gets to a resource first.

End transmission.

I used to do what Captain Bizarre does, but by mid-game the aliens always outproduced me. (I set AI to genius)

Then I tried going for diplomacy related teches first, it proved to be more successful. I am able to hold my own with the aliens, from early to midgame. Then in late game my empire comes out on top

That's the beauty of this game. There are so many different strategies that can lead to a win.

I usually try a balanced approach of ship speed, manufacturing, and government, while leaning heavily on trade goods. I through in defense when it looks like I may need it. Another top priority for me is EofU.