Are early research penalties worth it?

[Professor Von-Wulfen ]

Are early research penalties worth it?
I would like to research medium tanks (Panzer III) as soon as possible.
But I would be 2.6 years ahead of time.
Is it worth doing or would I not gain any advantage to doing it now?

[spike2071]

I always look for a focus, tech, or something that gives 50% off the research time of what you want to research ahead of time.

I don't think tanks are worth researching ahead of time, but give it a shot and see. I usually rush fighters, as I think they're worth their weight in gold.

[Professor Von-Wulfen ]

Originally posted by spike2071:

I always look for a focus, tech, or something that gives 50% off the research time of what you want to research ahead of time.

I don't think tanks are worth researching ahead of time, but give it a shot and see. I usually rush fighters, as I think they're worth their weight in gold.

I notice that the Medium tank designer gives me -10% armor research + reliability and attack bonus.
I will get him first, there are a few other advisors that can help as well. Many thanks :)

[|H|H| Fr3ddi3]

Against AI, it's not worth it. The AI can't keep pace with you to offer up a challenge if you 'rush' down certain tech trees.

Against a Human, it can be highly beneficial if not important, depending on your strategy.

Panthers by 39 for the war with Russia is a common tech path for Germany players.

[Professor Von-Wulfen ]

Originally posted by |H|H| Fr3ddi3:

Against AI, it's not worth it. The AI can't keep pace with you to offer up a challenge.

Against a Human, it can be highly beneficial depending on strategy. Panthers by 39 for the war with Russia is a common tech path for Germany players.

Cheers Fr3. This is my first playthrough, I am just getting used to the game atm. I may give it a try just to see how it works for future reference :)

[FDX]

Btw you should never take industrial companies or arty/infantry -10% research time

[Professor Von-Wulfen ]

Originally posted by BloddyK:

Btw you should never take industrial companies or arty/infantry -10% research time

Many thanks for the heads up)

[direweaseltjw]

In the case of German Armor, there are national foci which will very much speed up your ability to get advanced armor ahead of time. If you make the technology deal with the Soviets, you will recieve (among other things) a 100% penalty reduction in PZIII research. In other words, you can research it in 1936 as if it were 1939, with no early research penalty. You will also get a 50% bonus on another armor (the PZ4), so it makes the early penalty on it much less painful. Using those, it is quite possible to have PZIVs in full production by 1939.

There are other similar cases where a well used national focus will get you way ahead in a critical tech. For instance, when playing as the Brits, I have 1944 fighter planes going before the war starts.

[Professor Von-Wulfen ]

Originally posted by direweaseltjw:

In the case of German Armor, there are national foci which will very much speed up your ability to get advanced armor ahead of time. If you make the technology deal with the Soviets, you will recieve (among other things) a 100% penalty reduction in PZIII research. In other words, you can research it in 1936 as if it were 1939, with no early research penalty. You will also get a 50% bonus on another armor (the PZ4), so it makes the early penalty on it much less painful. Using those, it is quite possible to have PZIVs in full production by 1939.

There are other similar cases where a well used national focus will get you way ahead in a critical tech. For instance, when playing as the Brits, I have 1944 fighter planes going before the war starts.

Many thanks, really helpful :)

[Drunk Demoman]

I love playing as america and getting the tier 4 battleship by 1940 because of the focus tree. Makes the Pacific war a breeze when none of their ships aside from the super heavies can even damage them.