What do you research in CK?

[Sgian Dubh]

I really like Javolenus' thread on how people play CK, so I thought I would start a related one:

I find that I mostly ignore the research part of the game at this point because it is not clear to me how it would affect my strategy. So this is a chance for the experienced players to hold forth on what they research and why:

I'll start, a such as it is:

I research mining, castles, schools and pretty much leave it alone for a long, long time.

 

[jordarkelf]

In order: siege tech, mining, roads, then anything that provided income bonuses.

Never research anything that is known to a neighbour <4 provinces over -- the chance tech spread will bring it to you before you research it is quite high.

 

[orimazd]

Farming until the next is a +3 gold hit, siege, thought, schools. Useful stuff.

 

[unmerged(82381)]

Under cultural I research Schools until I get level 2 then thought (although I haven't checked to see if it still does anything). Economic, power(until road building) then either mining or handicraft. Military, defensive/offensive tactics for a level or two, then castles. If my interest in the game lasts longer than that, I check to see what the situation at the time is.

 

[unmerged(31881)]

Does anybody know how the research works? e.g. is there a time-penalty for researching a Huge Castle level in 1300? Should you switch to another tech if you're at level 4 (Large Castle) in the meantime?

And as for areas i research.... Castles, Farming Techniques and the "popular amusements" one? i.e. i like to have many well-fed serfs/peasants. And for them to be amused. Failing that, i like to have big stone walls between them and their parasitic overlord.

 

[unmerged(82381)]

Does anybody know how the research works? e.g. is there a time-penalty for researching a Huge Castle level in 1300? Should you switch to another tech if you're at level 4 (Large Castle) in the meantime?

The is a MTTH increase for researching certain advances before a given date. This means the event that gives the advance is slightly less likely to happen, but can still happen.

In this specific case large castle in vanilla DV has no MTTH increase past 1250, so in that sense there is no ahead of time penalty (to borrow a HOIism).

 

[unmerged(133356)]

Is there a breakdown posted anywhere of what the advances that don't have "explanations" within the game actual do?

 

[TempestDK]

Is there a breakdown posted anywhere of what the advances that don't have "explanations" within the game actual do?

I don't think there is ... they affect MTTH on a multitude of events, and there are simply too many for anyone to have bothered to compile a list of them.

 

[OutsiderSubtype]

I have a system:

Military:

Siege to 2 or 3 (finishing sieges quickly has so many benefits), then
Piercing Weapons to 2 or 3 (pikes and lances are important), then
Chain Mail to 2 or 3 (lots of benefits)

This can be modified by gameplay or roleplay considerations. For example, if I've had several Plate techs spread to me I'll continue along that line for armor.

Economic:

Mining to 2, then
Handicrafts to 2

Those +1 gold per month buildings are absolutely vital to building up any sort of economy. After that, probably roads or wherever I'm lacking.


Cultural:

Thought to 1, then
Schools to 2, then
Popular Customs or other loyalty boosting techs as needed.