Balancing Very Early Research and Site Searching

[Squirrelloid]

Originally Posted by Psycho

IMO taking a pretender just for the research he brings would be a very niche situation. On a non-SC pretender I will usually try to get the magic paths my nation lacks and send him start searching immediately. If you need to get a research goal reached quickly and every research point counts, only then will I consider using my pretender for research.

There are a number of nations who really need a research pretender. Eriu comes to mind (crappy researchers available at non-capitol locations, really needs rapid early research for optimal performance). EA Caelum also has a desperate need of rapid early research, and its EKs are too valuable to stick in a lab for very long.

I mean, in general an awake pretender is a niche choice - either you need an SC or you need the research now. And most dormant/imprisoned pretenders are taken for scales, a bless, and/or magic diversity.