Yarg make wheel yay.... ahh Arceans make blackhole missle and dooms day beam

from GalCiv2 Forums
I am a new player to GCII i am playing Da 1.6

I have had the game Gal Civ II DA v1.5 for about three weeks now I played my first game on easy since i had never played any GalCiv game before. Of course on easy mopped up but got a pretty basic understanding of the game. then I moved up to normal had a little trouble at first then started winning consistintely minus a couple bad games.

Okay sorry if that preface was a little long. So anyway I got my internet hooked up downloaded patch 1.6 for DA and for my first game decided that it was time to step up to tough. The problem that I keep running into is that the AI players are reasearching way faster than I can.

I have always been kind of reasearch/Diplo based I always go for the reasearch facilities techs rather quickly. This strategy always kept me up to speed and usually ahead of th AI reasearch. Now on tough I get creamed, and on top of that since i updated to 1.6 it costs me my first born to buy even the lowest technologies.

If any of you can share some tips on how you keep ahead of the reasearch game I would greatly appreciate it. I usually play on a large map occasional habitable planets.

Thanks in advance.
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Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The AI get bonuses anything over challenging, thats one reason why they are out teching you. Secondly, play with a larger map with the full 8 minor races playing, these guys are very usefull for trading techs with. I usually don't care what I give them because if they have high tech they are harder to wipe out and are a real nusiance to the other major players as long as you remain on a friend ly basis with them. At the same time you can keep up with the tech research.

You also have the added bonus of being able to get them to attack the major races, which can keep them of your back as well. These are just a few of the tactics that work for me. Hope this helps!   
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Tought is the last level of difficulty before the AI actually gets bonuses.

That being said, if you feel that they have way more tech than you at first, I feel it's normal. The AI seems to have special rules when trading techs within themselves, add to that the fact that some get some pretty impressive research bonus and the early game seem impossible to get over in term of techs. Thing is, as soon that they can't keep their economy red-hot, they will slow down. Drastically slow-down. Then you'll most likely be able to catch up.

If it's on the later parts of the game, then either focus to increase your research capabilities (either by securing more research resources or by modifying your planet's layouts), or decreasing your opponents own's capabilities by putting spies on your enemies planets or by invading.

On a side note, it isn't because the A.I. CAN produce more powerful ships tech wise, that he can do so production wise.
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Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I've only played with Technology set on medium but I think setting tech to slow just means everyone has to produce more beakers to "learn" each tech so that shouldn't give the AI any advantage.

One good way I use to get techs is to relatively ignore the research branch of the tech tree early on and instead go for the diplomacy and economy techs. Then, with a strong economy and great diplomacy bonuses I can get the AI to trade techs with me pretty cheaply. Also, creating trade routes with the AI will improve your relations over time so they'll like you more and be more willing to give you techs. The strong economy is great because you'll be able to set your production capacity to 100% and keep a low tax rate. You're citizens will stay happy and you'll get a boost to your social/military and research.

Rather than trying to research every tech line the AI has and staying ahead of all your opponents don't be afraid to buy some techs. If the AI has a line of techs you haven't even started just trade for the latest tech in the line to get your race up to speed. Then you can start researching further along the line without having to spend beakers on weaker techs. This is especially helpful for weapons and defensive techs because each tech dosen't give it's own bonus like the miniturization and diplomacy techs do.

I'm also curious as to what race you're playing. Maybe you could make a new race with bonuses to research and economy to help you keep up with the AI.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I usually played with the altarian res or terran. then I usually would take Diplo techs early and try what you suggested. With the new patch it seems way harder to trade techs but i can still get some.

My economy is usually very strong I hardly ever fall into the red. I thought maybe this could be a problem that I am being to conservative with the money in the early game.

Thanks for all of your suggestions. More are always welcome.