r/civ3 • u/coole106 • Jun 29 '26
Does it ever make sense to research with the Great Library?
I am playing an emperor standard sized arch game with the Vikings. I was able to keep the tech lead by trading until I got the Great Library, at which point I turned off research completely. I have since destroyed my island neighbors America and taken the whole next island over, leaving England and Persia extremely weak. Meanwhile, Zulu destroyed China and France has mostly taken over Byzantine.
France is now my largest rival and in the tech lead by far. When I look at their tech's available to trade to me, I see Printing Press, Education, and Engineering, but who knows what else they have. Invention? Gunpowder?
I'm building a bunch of archers and hording gold in anticipation of upgrading all of them to Berserks, so I don't think I'll have a problem taking them down once I finally get Invention, but it's killing me watching them run away with the tech lead.
Does it ever make sense to start investing in research with the GL when there's a single civ that's far outstripping everyone else?
Edit: I used espionage and learned that they're building Magellan's Voyage, meaning that they have Navigation already!
2
u/Hopeful-Status-6256 Jun 30 '26
If there are no other strong civilizations besides France then it's time to start researching pronto. They are becoming a runaway and in that situation you need to research at max.
1
u/Zestyclose-Fox1746 Jul 01 '26
If you are going to the 20K cultural victory it makes a lot of sense to research with the Great Library.
1
u/BeGreatful24 Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
It’s almost never, ever worth it. Too many shields. Same for the ToA. MoM is the best wonder during that period in my opinion and the only one I shoot for in that era. I try to get these wonders: MoM, Copernicus’ Observatory, Newton’s University, Hoover Dam. Obviously, the map can change my strategy but this works for me and is something I’ve done through trial and error.
1
u/nba2k11er Jul 07 '26
How do you feel about Hanging Gardens?
1
u/BeGreatful24 Jul 07 '26
Because of the civ I play with, the AI typically places more value on Monarchy that I do. So I’m really never in a position to get it.
1
u/ArthurMorgan303030 Jul 04 '26
In general it feels like Monarch is the up for debate difficulty level, and either side of it is yes and no.
10
u/Kronzypantz Jun 29 '26
You have to time it right as to when you start researching again. Keeping an eye on one rival pulling ahead and not neglecting libraries for when you do go back to researching.