Research Cooperative vs Trade League?

[jerrypocalypse]

In my current game, I'm running a egalitarian + fanatic materialistic technology focused empire (going with genetic ascension). I'm almost at 2250, the galactic community is established, and I'm preparing to start a federation with some neighbors I have good relations with.

I was originally going to go with a Research Cooperative, but 2 of my 3 highest relation neighbors are MegaCorps (with the closest and more advanced one unfortunately being spiritualist). The 3rd is an authoritarian, xenophilic, materialist that has a *ton* of territory.

I'm curious if because of the MegaCorps if I'd be better off just running a Trade League or if I should stick to my original plan and do a Research Cooperative to help boost their tech level from sharing all the tech I have. What are people's thoughts on the two?

[Shinobi273]

It has been a long time since i played materialist. Trade league is much better than research cooperative. The trade league gives great CG and unity income and also has a full strength federation fleet. The only thing research has going for it is that the max level president can build an additional concurrent megastruture (total constructed limits still apply). The research agreements have been very underwhelming. The ethics of your neighbors should be changed before you add them to the federation if possible. Liberation wars are actually really good if you are not going for territory.

[jerrypocalypse]

Originally posted by Shinobi273:

It has been a long time since i played materialist. Trade league is much better than research cooperative. The trade league gives great CG and unity income and also has a full strength federation fleet. The only thing research has going for it is that the max level president can build an additional concurrent megastruture (total constructed limits still apply). The research agreements have been very underwhelming. The ethics of your neighbors should be changed before you add them to the federation if possible. Liberation wars are actually really good if you are not going for territory.

Gotcha. Wouldn't liberation wars split up their empires though?

[HappySack]

For the most part the Trade League is better even you aren't going for trade value, with commercial pacts with your allies in addition to whatever trade value you are already making you'll get a hefty amount of consumer goods and unity for free.

The Research Coopeerative is only really good for the 5th level and is pretty bland otherwise as you don't get much else from it, and unless you're relying on another empire for tech then I don't think it's really worth it when you have better alternatives.

[Fabiaville]

a research fed is pretty good if you are behind in tech compared to your potential fed members due to the research pacts.
though can't seem to see a lot use from it aside from that. level 5 takes too long to get to. by the time i'd get to level 5 i would already have constructed all megastructures anyway.

if you are non-gestalt trade league seems to be a very good fed due to the better trade policy you get. i don't really build trade value anymore though. clerks are a job which sucks away tons of potential if you staff them, literally any other job is better in terms of output. thus in my mind a hegemony is slightly better since you get the fleet earlier and you don't pass leadership around. it's a gamble with other feds if you are going to be able to control the fed fleet if you get declared war on or a crisis is happening.

[Tiasmoon]

For level 5 federations keep in mind it takes 10+20+40+80 = 150 years to get there, and thats not including any time spend not at max exp gain.
So depending on how fast your games go and how late you start a federation that level 5 might well be out of reach.

Playing the game in a non-metagaming way, Trade League is better in most ways. Access to trade league policy for trade value, better federation fleets, earlier federation fleets.

Playing in a metagaming way however:
Research federation research agreements count as a seperate agreement. While you wont be able to also sign a regular one with members of the federation you can still do so with empires that are not a part of the federation. Meaning you can effectively get 2x the bonus. (and more, since federation agreement gives higher %)

The federation fleet will still be bad, tho.

[jerrypocalypse]

Alright, so sounds like I'll do a Trade League. That's what I ran last game so I'm more familiar with it anyway.

So an additional question. I need to do the full Mercantile tree still to unlock the Trade League. The closest MegaCorp empire to me asked me to be their overlord and our starting agreement has them voting how I do in the GC and Federations. Can I get a Research Cooperative going with the big empire I want to ally with, and then switch it over to a Trade League once I unlock that? I'm not sure if that's a unanimous or majority vote.

[Tiasmoon]

Yes, but it requires unanimous vote. Unlike most other votes you cant use favors on this either, making it pretty hard to do. I would not rely on that. Better to wait and go Trade League right away once its available.

[jerrypocalypse]

Originally posted by Tiasmoon:

Yes, but it requires unanimous vote. Unlike most other votes you cant use favors on this either, making it pretty hard to do. I would not rely on that. Better to wait and go Trade League right away once its available.

Thanks for the info. Definitely going to wait then. Especially seeing as how the prospective ally just vassalize half of one empire and another volunteered to join them. Definitely want to get them on board in the right federation since it's looking like we're the most powerful 2 empires at this point aside from FEs. Should be a good foundation to take on a crisis

[ScreamCon]

Research alliance is useful if your sole purpose is to maximise scientific gain and not fall behind. It has the benefit of boosting your federation members also. Making it easier for them to scientifically stay ahead even when you tributise the bananas out of their science yields.

[CrUsHeR]

Research Cooperative potentially lets you keep more influence, because you get automatic research treaties with all members. Wouldn't make a difference if you're in a Trade League but refuse those treaties.

[mss73055]

Trade league any time. Its trading policy allows you to pick any path you deem suitable.
If you start a league late opt for martial alliance.

[BigTurnip]

How are you going Trade League??

Why are you wasting a tradition tree when your not a trade build.

[jerrypocalypse]

Originally posted by BigTurnip:

How are you going Trade League??

Why are you wasting a tradition tree when your not a trade build.

I'm taking Mercantile anyway. You don't need to stick to one thing, I'm only on the default Ensign difficulty.

Besides, tech focus can kinda do anything. Gotta put that tech you unlock to use somewhere.