How is it done big and high tech

[ringworm]

I can get high tech but small, 5 cores and slow building up a sector one planet at a time.

But as soon as I go for a land grab my tech is rubbish.

Any tips

 

[DukeLeto42]

Land grab builds up that pop and planet tech malus rapidly, which can make you vulnerable. In time, built- up sectors will overcome this, but expect that rapid expansion will lead to falling behind tech- wise. However, if you don't colonize now, your rivals will get it first. Not starting wars while behind in tech is crucial, as is good tactics to survive militarist neighbors until you can resume teching when expansion no longer is an option.

If you control half the galaxy, you can beat a smaller, but better teched, empire. The production advantage is just so big.

 

[mudcrabmerchant]

Every new planet increases tech cost by 10%, every new pop increases it by 1%.

But assuming each new planet and each new pop produces the same per capita research as your old planets, you actually tech up faster by adding a new planet, because you can produce more than the penalty takes away.

The way the game works, the temporary tech disadvantage from expanding quickly is more than made up for by having larger fleets. As long as you're on top of building research on each new planet, you shouldn't worry.