Rainbow Sages: Site-search vs. Re-search

sansanjuan · #1 January 26th, 2009, 11:04 PM

Question for the vets (though all can answer) regarding best use for a Rainbow Sage. The tradeoff is between site searching or using the (36) RPs for jump starting research. Likely the answer is "it depends" but I thought I'd throw it out there.

The particular Sage I write of is in Chronicles_MA and his journal speaks of how he chafes at site searching over his natural inclination (as a Sage) to research. The Hell with him. What do you think?
-SSJ

KissBlade · #2 January 26th, 2009, 11:25 PM

Research first until you get the early game spells you need (usually in the evo tree) . I would site search when I get my remotes probably and get the initial gem income before swapping to full time remotes.

Dragar · #3 January 26th, 2009, 11:42 PM

My personal take is:

• Research any key early techs needed, not including remote site searching. Just any buffs/combat spells critical to your early expansion
• Site search provinces surrounding capital to prime yourself with gems needed to remote site search (no point doing the research for them before you have the gems to get going)
• Return to research, normally hitting remote site search spells first
• Once you have a decent research capability going without your pretender, if he doesn’t have anything to do that no-one else can, send him off again to site search schools you can’t do remotely.

archaeolept · #4 January 26th, 2009, 11:44 PM

the earlier you sitesearch, the earlier you will be seen as a target of opportunity. The less research you show, the more the smell of fresh meat will be strengthened.

DonCorazon · #5 January 27th, 2009, 12:20 AM

I like to site search ASAP and worry about greedy neighbors later. Many times site searching will then take care of research when/if you find a nice indy site. If not, and your gem income starts getting too far ahead, then better watch your back...

Lingchih · #6 January 27th, 2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archaeolept

the earlier you sitesearch, the earlier you will be seen as a target of opportunity. The less research you show, the more the smell of fresh meat will be strengthened.

That doesn't make any sense Arch.

Zeldor · #7 January 27th, 2009, 12:32 AM

archae:

Nations with low research don't seem dangerous

I think really getting ahead with research is like putting huge "Kill me, fast!" sign in your yard. That's why playing Bogarus probably really sucks in MP

vfb · #8 January 27th, 2009, 12:45 AM

Nations with low research and high gem income are all carrot and no stick. Yummm, carrots!

Dragar · #9 January 27th, 2009, 12:47 AM

When you start talking about player selection of targets it’s all subjective..
• do your neighbours want to take out an easy enemy first or deal with a likely threat?
• is someone with an early research lead dangerous or will they be weak in the short term due to smaller armies?
• Is someone with good gem production early a target or a trading partner? If they are site searching heavily do you want to wait a while and let them do more of the hard work before you take them over?

It really all depends on perspective, and on so many other factors. Within reason I prefer not to second guess how other players will judge my actions, and make sure I make myself as strong as possible. The key is balancing future strength with current military might – I wouldn’t want to site search to the point where I am at a severe military disadvantage compared to other players who have been researching.

archaeolept · #10 January 27th, 2009, 12:49 AM

no - research is relative to a nation. If I see Bog, and they have relatively poor research, what is there to dissuade me?

If I see some normal non-rush nation, and suddenly they have a giant spike in their gem income, saliva glands, mine and everyone else's, are activated.

If, then, I see that, as well, relative to that nation's normal capabilities, it does not have good research - why would I not go straight in? Free gems are even better than ones you find yourself.

A high research for a neighbour with good battle magic can, depending on when, be a real deterrent insofar as it looks like the costs for going to war are likely to be commensurately greater.

edit: I like how VFB put it. That's exactly it, all else being equal.

which reminds me, have you ever seen Ali G's interview w/ James Baker, about carrots and sticks? I think it's my favourite bit of political humour ever

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=yXbNLkNhy1M