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Tech trading on Maso
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I have been experimenting with a few Maso games (Small or Medium, with Rare or Occasional so far). Getting creamed which is ok.
One thing I can NOT do is trade tech. I have nothing to offer. I am making a beeline for a minor as they are easier to trade with. (I also took a Diplo race pick to help) but can't get anything useful.
What should I research that the AI doesn't bother with, so that I will have something. At the moment I am doing my usual Comms/UniTrans/Diplo followed by a combination of Impulse/Medical/Habitat/Gravity etc. This works on crippling as I still have time to research Battleaxes (or defenders if I think I will be attacked). But on masochist I am already being threatened/attacked (usually attacked).
From threads on here, I know I can't keep up with the AI without trading, but I don't have anything to trade!
Is there a branch(es) of the tech tree they ignore that I should concentrate on or something?
thanks.
         
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Some of the techs that they don't research as quickly are:
Imp Env Control
Zero Grav Research
Nano Electr
Nano Freq Electr
Sensors
Basic Repair
Interstellar Refining
You probably won't be able to get much for them even if you do research them first and sell them. The trick is to buy techs from one AI and sell the same techs to as many other AIs as possible on the same turn. An tip if you don't already know is to buy at 100 turns so as to minimise your monthly outlay.
    
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thanks Ray. This time around I also leased Diplomatic Translators and having better luck. Also doing what you said... swapping 2 or 3 of mine for one Altarian tech, and then taking that to the others.
I saw your post in another thread where you were talking about getting stuff like Energy Channeling via trade. Didn't think that was possible on maso but doing what you guys said, I skipped over corvettes straight to frigates/cruisers!
Just have to build them now before being invaded.
Do war bribes work at this level? I want to pick the strongest race and bribe him to attack no. 2 and maybe no. 3. Keep them busy while I consolidate.
One thing I have noticed is the minors are much less willing to part with cash for tech. Offered on 20 techs and he wouldn't even accept 10bc for 1 month!
Trade screen said my diplomatic ability was incredible compared to theirs (or something like that). Guess this is something I will have to get used to.
I've gone for a speed pick also. I can't match their fleet but am hoping if I get into war to pick of their transports and run away again before their ships can attack mine. Habven't got to that stage yet, but hoping they don't get a speed bonus at this level, or else I'm screwed!.
thanks again for the help. I definitely need it!
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| Do war bribes work at this level? I want to pick the strongest race and bribe him to attack no. 2 and maybe no. 3. Keep them busy while I consolidate. |
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That's a key strat even at Maso. You should time your bribe so that their militaries will be out of position when your invading force arrives. Not too early because they may make peace too quickly.
| One thing I have noticed is the minors are much less willing to part with cash for tech. |
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Effectively there is no cash trading in Maso at the start. The only folks that will fork over the cash are the new minors pop out from events.
| I've gone for a speed pick also. I can't match their fleet but am hoping if I get into war to pick of their transports and run away again before their ships can attack mine. |
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Good choice. Speed is king. Beg, borrow or steal Grav Accelerators and if you are Good, research Hyper Warp. Don't fight in space. Defend by attacking transports rather than defend in orbit. Use those frigates to take out orbiting defenders to pave the way for transports. Those capital ships can't touch you with all those speed boosts.
Good luck!
[Message Edited]
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In my recent games we have avoided all tech trades with the AIs until the Diplo TG is in our hands. That allows for the "incredible advantage" when you know you got them good by their throats. A level deal is sometimes OK but generally to be avoided. The other key trick, like Ray said, is to trade techs from one partner to another. Keep your own research reserved for very special occasions when nothing else on the table will do any longer. All the AI is following a fairly similar and military heavy path, so if you let them have techs that they are likely already reseaching, that makes their research effort going down the drain.
In my last Maso we kept most of our own special technologies to ourselves - as long as possible - and that seemed to slow down the AI development really well. This was culture mission so we didnt bother much about their military items anyway. The other reason not to part of your own research first is that many times you want to immediately follow it with Wonder or Trade Good rush....and you really dont want the AI in that race with you!! Eyes of the Universe and any Wonder actually is a great thing to reach first 
- Would be great if there was some easier way to check what new techs AI have developed after each turn.
- Would be great if you could somehow disable or eliminate those techs you are not interested at all.
    
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Ah - what I really meant was buying it from the Minors. Yes it is often them who reach it first. Here's our steps for the early research:
1. Rush for Diplomacy
2. Research all the low hanging non-military tech until the DTTG message pops out. BEC, ZGR, IR, and the Nanos are all great picks.
3. Secure that DTTG from the Minor (or even AI) during the turn when it surfaces. It was not added to their negotiation strength immediately. If you played it right, you should now be in a good position to acquire it.
4. For extra benefit, save and load right after the deal is made. You can then trade more during the same turn and with your new bonus added.
The key point is to not trade with Majors before DTTG materialises. However, you can still buy the odd thing like Impulse Drive from a Minor earlier too...that may actually help them reach the DTTG quicker.
Hmmm, we have usually steered away from trading any of the Diplomacy enhancing techs with anybody...as it will also weaken our position in any future deals. It may be good to think of the trade in two ways - what great advantages it may be giving to your opponents also. And which ones you really want or dont want to boost. Things like the Sensors is a wonderful thing to give, especially once Eyes of Universe has been reached 
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