The Growth Scale

[licker]

Well there are gambits to be had here apparently...

High growth does not in any way preclude SC type pretenders, even awake ones, even with decent other scales (of course this is entirely nation dependent).

As is always true for dominions, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

[WraithLord]

OW took the words out of my mouth

And I want to add on licker's observation.

SCs do not contradict G3. You can take a 4S or pathless Wyrm and make it a fine SC with or w/o G3.

SCs have their uses but IMHO they are mostly orthogonal to the G3 vs. D3 decision.

I still think G3 is better when you have a long term plan on a big map. In case you have a death dom nation or playing a small map or planning for a strong rush that won't end until complete victory then by all means take D3. Just don't be too surprised you won't be to most popular guy on the block b/c if you have death dominion and if you are rushing and leading the score graphs (which is your ideal with D3) you will be hard pressed to find friends.
OtoH a G3 peaceful nation would have that much more income and research that could jump it much faster to endgame research.

So when you make the G/D choice you better have a well thought of game plan