Tech Trading - Easy Mode?

from GalCiv2 Forums
Just a quick poll to see what people think:

To me it seems like having Tech trading on definitely makes the game easier; for three main reasons:

(a) You can make lots of cash from selling old/obsolete Techs - very useful before your economy stabilises.
(b) You can acquire many Techs rather than researching them - which allows you to both focus your own research and/or develop a stronger production infrastructure.
(c) It is easier to influence AI diplomacy (I think that keeping the AI's fighting amongst themselves is hugely useful - so this one is important).

True the AI's can trade amongst themselves, but I find the the advantage they gain from this is overshadowed by the advantages to the player.

If it matters; I tend to play large maps (with varying settings, but usually configured to provide smaller number of habitable planets to decrease the micro) on relatively low difficulty levels (usually just two notches above Normal) for now.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Franbo
7,109 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
An intelligent human player will always have the advantage over a non (actual)-intelligent AI player.

Algorithms can only go so far, after all (as prescribed by the programmers knowledge and understanding of EVERYTHING!).


You are capable of adjusting to circumstances as they arise on a continual basis.
The AI of the game however, is limited to the constraints of its programming.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Indeed.

That said; this post is not about the superiority of a human to an AI (which could be a long conversation of iteself).

Perhaps a clarification is in order; the question is:

"Does having Tech Trading on makes the game relatively easier or relatively harder."
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It definitely makes it easier. When in need of cash you can pawn things off for a quick infusion. You can fill gaps in your research by picking things up from others. In TA you can take care of your technological shortcomings by picking up someone else's technology (which really goes against the point of having unique tech trees IMHO).

I'm really happy about the new "disable tech stealing" to couple with disabling tech trading in TA.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have to clearly state yes from, it is easier with TT on. You can leave out researching military techs, and just by mil techs from minors. In my opinion, TT speeds up climbing the techtree, because the AI also buys/sells techs, thus spreading techs.
Playing without TT, avoids being confronted with enemy ships carrying multiple weapon/defense types, which I contrarily find easier to handle at the cost of quick money. It also makes you think twice, before building PIs