Tech Preview?

@barnee

You’re absolutely correct.

While in playing games against myself which are lower stakes I sometimes try it, when it comes to actual, serious games against other players I stay well away from it.

It’s mostly if you just want to spice the game up and you don’t care about winning or losing.

That being said the technology does give you great advantages depending in the power and technology.

Super Subs+Improved Shipyards almost guarantees US or Japanese (depending on who got both of them) dominance in the Pacific.

Of course getting those two technologies is not easy, but it’s not impossible.

Our group has had this discussion many times. It seems unrealistic that a country would develop something that is not useful.  In one of our games Russia bought a non-disposable tech dice and actually rolled a 6 then rolled on the chart and got “War Bonds” which was cool for them but if you look at the list there are very few that Russia can benefit from.  Mostly depends if they are on the offensive.  If they are on the defensive then only “War Bonds” and “Increased Factory Production” seem to be worthwhile.  “Radar” would also be good but its on a separate chart with tech that would not benefit them.  Most would say that Russia should not even consider rolling on tech and I tend to agree unless they are on the offensive and have a massive economy.

I’ve done a couple games ftf with the latest A 3.9 where I spent $5 a turn every turn on tech. It’s not a huge waste all at once and yeah that could mean a couple less fighters in the game long term, but the potential payoff is nice. In one game my partner and I got LR air with US on turn 3-4 and were able to immediately sink a combined German/Italy fleet in sz91 because of all extra air we could fly in.

I wouldn’t consider tech on a consistent basis like that with any other country except maybe Japan/Germany later in the game once they’re around 60+ and they’re in a position where they can spare 5 bucks a turn. Maybe USSR if Germany went Sea lion and USSR has a huge stack in EPL that won’t go anywhere for several turns.

So what’s the…wait.

I gets it now: there are 36 techs on 6 charts. Roll 1 die for the chart and 1 for the tech.

If that’s what he means definitely no.

Will do, thanks!

Either economy can pay for research, and both benefit from the results.  War Bonds IPCs may be split between the economies in any way the player likes.

Yep, you lost all when you got a tech. We made a houserule that if you accidentily rolled two 6’s you was allowed two rolls and could pick the tech you liked.

Nice, well with depreciation of the dollar I would say that would probably be about what I pay for something like that as well. I will have to do some digging to find a place that does that, because I do admit that the ridges irritate me, not to mention the board separating from time to time if someone hits the edge or something.