Civilization Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
Civilization Wiki
Civilization Wiki
17,079
pages
in: Game concepts (Civ5)

Changes: Science (Civ5)

Back to page
Edit
No edit summary
Tags: Visual edit apiedit
m (→‎Tech Tree and Civilization Eras: Made wording changes and revised links.)
Tags: Visual edit apiedit
(15 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
   
 
==Introduction==
  
==Introduction==
  ⚫
{{Science5}} '''Science''' is a game concept in ''[[Civilization V]]'' which represents the research power of your civilization. Unlike other stats like {{culture5}} Culture or {{faith5}} Faith, it has only one use: the acquisition of new [[Technologies (Civ5)|Technologies]]. This, however, is paramount for your progress in the game, because technologies unlock [[Building (Civ5)|buildings]] and [[List of improvements in Civ5|improvements]] that allow you to access [[Resources (Civ5)|resources]] and produce almost everything else, and they also advance your military, allowing you to fight more effectively. And of course, it is one of the main paths towards winning the game, via the [[Science victory (Civ5)|Science Victory]].
   
  ⚫
==Scientific Mechanics==
⚫
{{Science5}} '''Science''' is a game concept in ''[[Civilization V]]'' which represents the research power of your civilization. Unlike other stats like {{culture5}} Culture or {{faith5}} Faith, it has only one use - the acquisition of new [[Technologies (Civ5)|Technologies]]. This, however, is paramount for your progress in the game, because technologies unlock buildings and improvements that allow you to access resources and produce almost everything else, and they also advance your military, allowing you to fight more effectively. And of course, it is one of the main paths towards winning the game, via the [[Science victory (Civ5)|Science Victory]].
  
  ⚫
As with most ''[[Civilization (series)|Civilization]]'' games, your scientific progress is measured in '''Science Points''' (SPs), also known as '''Research Points''' (RPs). They are generated by various sources and added to a total pool, which contributes to your current research project. The project toward which your civilization turns its research efforts is chosen from the available technologies in the '''tech tree''', and may be changed at any point (without losing the progress you've made with the tech you abandoned). The discovery (development) of each technology requires a certain amount of SPs, which grows the more you advance through the tech tree, and which also depends on game speed, and the current size of your empire (number of [[City (Civ5)|cities]] you control). Besides that, each technology has one or more earlier technologies as prerequisites - thus the concept of a tech tree. The only techs without prerequisites are [[Pottery (Civ5)|Pottery]], [[Animal Husbandry (Civ5)|Animal Husbandry]], [[Archery (Civ5)|Archery]] and [[Mining (Civ5)|Mining]] - the ones first available for research in the very beginning of the game.<sup>*</sup>
−  
⚫
==Scientific mechanics==
  
⚫
As with most Civilization games, your scientific progress is measured in '''Science points''' (SP). They are generated by various sources and added to a total pool, which contributes to your current research effort. This effort you choose from the '''Science tech tree''', from among the technologies that are currently available for research,  and may be changed at any point (without losing the progress you've made with the tech you abandoned). The discovery (development) of each technology requires a certain amount of SPs, which grows the more you advance through the Tech Tree, and which also depends on game speed, and the current size of your Empire (number of cities you control). Besides that, each technology has one or more earlier technologies as prerequisites - thus the concept of a Tech Tree. The only techs without prerequisites are [[Pottery (Civ5)|Pottery]], [[Animal husbandry (Civ5)|Animal husbandry]], [[Archery (Civ5)|Archery]] and [[Mining (Civ5)|Mining]] - the ones first available for research in the very beginning of the game.*
 
   
 
The research process is automatic, and starts once you set up your capital - this means that you're constantly researching something throughout the entire game. The more SPs you contribute each turn for research, the faster you are going to discover the current technology. After you discover a technology, you gain all its benefits, and the game will prompt you to select the next one to be researched.
  
The research process is automatic, and starts once you set up your capital - this means that you're constantly researching something throughout the entire game. The more SPs you contribute each turn for research, the faster you are going to discover the current technology. After you discover a technology, you gain all its benefits, and the game will prompt you to select the next one to be researched.
   
−
*'''Note:''' You don't need to completely develop each technology before going to the next one - you can make some progress towards one, then change to another, if the strategic situation calls for it. Later, you'll come back to the first technology, and your scientists will resume from where they stopped.
 +
As mentioned above, you don't need to completely develop each technology before going to the next one - you can make some progress towards one, then change to another, if the strategic situation calls for it. Later, you'll come back to the first technology, and your scientists will resume from where they stopped.
  +
  ⚫
===Tech Tree and Civilization Eras===
  ⚫
All technologies in the game are organised in a "tree," with each tech "connected" to one or more higher-level techs. Those higher-level techs cannot be researched before you finish all lower-level techs that connect to them directly (a process known as "unlocking"). So, you can neither research nor gain in other ways technologies you haven't unlocked - keep that in mind when planning your technological development and which techs you're going to research next!
   
  +
The technological tree is also divided into [[Era (Civ5)|eras]], starting with the [[Ancient Era (Civ5)|Ancient Era]] and finishing with the [[Information Era (Civ5)|Information Era]]. These eras are a broad representation of the general level of development of your civilization, both from historical and game viewpoint. Each era includes a number of technologies, divided into two tiers; all techs in certain tier require roughly the same amount of SPs, and the general amount of SP progresses gradually from left to right. Those of Tier 2 (the rightmost tier) are almost always connected to Tier 1 (the leftmost tier). In other words, techs of Tier 1 of a certain era are almost always prerequisites for Tier 2 techs of the same era. There are notable exceptions, however, and in many cases you may leap tiers to progress faster to the next era.
⚫
===Tech tree and Civilization Eras===
  
⚫
All technologies in the game are organised in a 'tree', with each tech 'connected' to one or more higher-level techs. Those higher-level techs cannot be researched before you finish all lower-level techs that connect to them directly (a process known as 'unlocking'). So, you can neither research or gain in other ways technologies you haven't unlocked - keep that in mind when planning your technological development and which techs you're going to research next!
  
   
−
The technological tree is also divided into '''Eras''', starting with the Ancient Era and finishing with the Information Era. These Eras are a broad representation of the general level of development of your civilization, both from historical and game viewpoint. Each Era includes a number of technologies, and the position of the technology you've last researched in the tree determines which Era your civilization is in currently. This, in turn, determines a number of other gameplay effects, such as the exact amount of {{Culture5}} and {{Faith5}} you receive from friendly [[City-state (Civ5)|City-States]], or what Social Policies you have access to. To progress to the next Era, you either need to research all technologies included in the previous one, or a single technology from the next Era (after unlocking it of course).  
 +
Your civilization always starts in the Ancient Era (unless you start a custom game from a later era). To progress to the next era, you either need to research all technologies included in the previous one, or a single technology from the next era (after unlocking it of course). The era you are currently in determines a number of other gameplay effects, such as the exact amount of {{Culture5}} Culture and {{Faith5}} Faith you receive from friendly [[City-state (Civ5)|City-States]], or what [[Social policies (Civ5)|Social Policies]] you have access to.
   
−
*'''Note:''' passing to the next Era is an important achievement for a civilization, and is marked by a special announcement. Keep an eye for these announcements to track the progress of your rivals!
 +
Note that passing into the next era is an important achievement for a civilization, and is marked by a special announcement. Keep an eye for these announcements to track the progress of your rivals!
   
−
For a full list of technologies, see [[List of technologies (Civ5)|here]]. 
 +
For a full list of technologies, see [[List of technologies in Civ5|here]].
   
 
==Producing Science==
  
==Producing Science==
−
===Population and buildings===
 +
===Population and Buildings===
−
The main source of {{science5}} SP in the game is your population. Each citizen in each city in your empire (even the Puppet cities) automatically contributes 1 SP to the total. On the other hand, each city (even Puppet cities) increases cost of new technologies by 5%! So, it turns out it's better to have a smaller empire with fewer cities, but a large Population in each one, rather than a large empire with many cities, each one having only 3 - 4 Citizens. Of course, the best thing is to have a large empire with large Population. 
 +
The main source of SP in the game is your population. Each {{Population5}} Citizen in each city in your empire (even the Puppet cities) automatically contributes 1 SP to the total. On the other hand, each city (even Puppet cities) increases cost of new technologies by 2%! Therefore, if you want to maximize science production, it's better to have a small empire with heavily populated cities than a large empire with many cities, each one having only 3-4 {{Population5}} Citizens. Of course, the best thing is to have a large empire with large population. 
   
−
The second source of SP are the Science buildings. However, most of them base their contributions on the number of citizens in the city where they're built, which means Population again matters. For example, a Library is more effective in a city with 20 population (providing +10 SP), than it is in a city with 6 citizens (providing only +3 SP). Certain Wonders also produce or enhance science, as shown below.
 +
The second source of SP are the science buildings. However, most of these base their contributions on the number of citizens in the city where they're built, which means population again matters. For example, a Library is more effective in a city with 20 {{Population5}} Citizens (providing +10 SP), than it is in a city with 6 {{Population5}} Citizens (providing only +3 SP). Certain Wonders also produce or enhance science, as shown below.
   
 
'''Buildings that provide science'''
  
'''Buildings that provide science'''
Line 38: Line 39:
 
| {{PageIcon5|Library}}
  
| {{PageIcon5|Library}}
 
| {{Link5|Ancient era}}
  
| {{Link5|Ancient era}}
−
| +1 {{Science5}} science for every 2 {{Population5}} citizens
 +
| +1 {{Science5}} Science for every 2 {{Population5}} Citizens
 
| {{Link5|Writing}}
  
| {{Link5|Writing}}
 
|-
  
|-
 
| {{PageIcon5|University}}
  
| {{PageIcon5|University}}
 
| {{Link5|Medieval era}}
  
| {{Link5|Medieval era}}
−
| +33% {{Science5}} science, +2 {{Science5}} science on jungle tiles worked by the city
 +
| +33% {{Science5}} Science, +2 {{Science5}} Science on jungle tiles worked by the city
−
| {{Link5|Education}}, requires a [[Library (Civ5)|library]] or [[Paper maker (Civ5)|paper maker]]
 +
| {{Link5|Education}}, requires a [[Library (Civ5)|Library]], [[Paper Maker (Civ5)|Paper Maker]], or [[Royal Library (Civ5)|Royal Library]]
 
|-
  
|-
 
| {{PageIcon5|Observatory}}
  
| {{PageIcon5|Observatory}}
 
| {{Link5|Renaissance era}}
  
| {{Link5|Renaissance era}}
−
| +50% {{Science5}}
 +
| +50% {{Science5}} Science
−
| {{Link5|Astronomy}}, requires a mountain next to city
 +
| {{Link5|Astronomy}}, requires a [[Mountain (Civ5)|mountain]] adjacent to the city
 
|-
  
|-
 
| {{PageIcon5|Public school}}
  
| {{PageIcon5|Public school}}
 
| {{Link5|Industrial era}}
  
| {{Link5|Industrial era}}
−
| +3 {{Science5}}, +1 {{Science5}} for every 2 {{Population5}} citizens
 +
| +3 {{Science5}} Science, +1 {{Science5}} Science for every 2 {{Population5}} Citizens
−
| {{Link5|Scientific theory}},requires a [[University (Civ5)|university]]
 +
| {{Link5|Scientific Theory}}, requires a [[University (Civ5)|University]] or [[Wat (Civ5)|Wat]]
 
|-
  
|-
 
| {{PageIcon5|Research lab}}
  
| {{PageIcon5|Research lab}}
 
| {{Link5|Modern era}}
  
| {{Link5|Modern era}}
−
| +4 {{Science5}}, +50% {{Science5}}
 +
| +4 {{Science5}} Science, +50% {{Science5}} Science
−
| {{Link5|Plastics}}, requires a [[Public school (Civ5)|public school]]
 +
| {{Link5|Plastics}}, requires a [[Public School (Civ5)|Public School]]
 
|}
  
|}
   
Line 70: Line 71:
 
|-
  
|-
 
|{{PageIcon5|Great Library}}
  
|{{PageIcon5|Great Library}}
−
| +3 {{Science5}} science, free library and provides one free technology
 +
| +3 {{Science5}} Science, free {{Link5|Library}} and provides one free technology
 
|{{Link5|Writing}}
  
|{{Link5|Writing}}
 
|-
  
|-
 
|{{PageIcon5|National College}}
  
|{{PageIcon5|National College}}
−
| +3 {{Science5}} science, +50% {{Science5}} science
 +
| +3 {{Science5}} Science, +50% {{Science5}} Science
−
| Requires a library in every city
 +
| Requires a {{Link5|Library}} in every city
 
|-
  
|-
 
|{{PageIcon5|Porcelain Tower}}
  
|{{PageIcon5|Porcelain Tower}}
−
|50% more {{Science5}} science from research agreements
 +
|50% more {{Science5}} Science from research agreements
−
|Architecture
 +
|{{Link5|Architecture}}
−
Requires Rationalism ([[Brave New World|BNW]])
 +
Requires Rationalism ({{BNW}})
 
|-
  
|-
 
|{{PageIcon5|Oxford University}}
  
|{{PageIcon5|Oxford University}}
−
| +3 {{Science5}} science, and provides one free technology
 +
| +3 {{Science5}} Science, and provides one free technology
 
|
  
|
 
{{Link5|Education}}
  
{{Link5|Education}}
   
−
Requires a university in every city
 +
Requires a {{Link5|University}} in every city
 
|}
  
|}
  +
  +
=== Scientist Specialists ===
  +
A number of science-oriented buildings have slots for Scientist Specialists. Assigning {{Citizen5}} Citizens to work in them provides +3 {{Science5}} Science each to the city's base output.
   
 
===Terrain===
  
===Terrain===
−
Normally, terrain isn't a source of {{science5}}. The only type that has inherent science potential is [[Jungle (Civ5)|Jungle]], but '''only after''' you build a [[University (Civ5)|University]] in the city which controls it (which doesn't happen before the Middle game).
 +
Normally, terrain isn't a source of {{science5}} Science. The only type that has inherent science potential is [[Jungle (Civ5)|jungle]], but only after you build a [[University (Civ5)|University]] in the city which controls it (which doesn't happen before the middle game).
   
−
Many [[Natural Wonders (Civ5)|Natural Wonders]] produce {{science5}}, and could be extremely beneficial to your empire in the early game, providing additional science when no other sources are yet possible.
 +
Many [[Natural wonder (Civ5)|Natural Wonders]] produce {{science5}} Science, and could be extremely beneficial to your empire in the early game, providing additional science when no other sources are yet possible.
   
−
Finally, the [[Academy (Civ5)|Academy improvement]] adds a good amount of {{science5}} to a tile - again very useful in the early game (and also later - the initial amount increases with certain technologies).
 +
Finally, the [[Academy (Civ5)|Academy]] improvement adds a good amount of {{science5}} Science to a tile - again very useful in the early game (and also later - the initial amount increases with certain technologies).
   
 
'''Terrain features that boost science'''
  
'''Terrain features that boost science'''
Line 104: Line 108:
 
|-
  
|-
 
| {{PageIcon5|Academy}}
  
| {{PageIcon5|Academy}}
−
| +8 {{Science5}}, +10 {{Science5}} with {{Link5|Scientific Theory}}, +12 {{Science5}} with {{Link5|Atomic Theory}}
 +
| +8 {{Science5}} Science, +10 {{Science5}} Science with {{Link5|Scientific Theory}}, +12 {{Science5}} Science with {{Link5|Atomic Theory}}, +16 {{Science5}} with {{Link5|New Deal}} from the [[Ideology (Civ5)#Freedom|Freedom Ideology]]
 
|-
  
|-
 
| {{PageIcon5|Trading post}}
  
| {{PageIcon5|Trading post}}
−
| +1 {{Science5}} with Free Thought from the Rationalism Social Policy Tree.
 +
| +1 {{Science5}} Science with {{Link5|Free Thought}} from the Rationalism Social Policy Tree
 
|-
  
|-
 
| {{PageIcon5|Jungle}}
  
| {{PageIcon5|Jungle}}
−
| +2 {{Science5}} when worked by a city with a {{Link5|university}}
 +
| +2 {{Science5}} Science when worked by a city with a {{Link5|University}}
 
|}
  
|}
   
−
===Other sources===
 +
===Other Sources===
−  
 
The following additional ways to boost Research are available:
  
The following additional ways to boost Research are available:
⚫
* {{BNW}} Opening [[International trade route (Civ5)|Trade routes]] with other civilizations; each route will contribute some SPs, based on the number of technologies the other civilization has discovered that you haven't
  
−
* Conducting [[Diplomacy (Civ5)#Research agreement|Research agreements]] with other civilizations
  
−
* Using up a Great Scientist via his special ability
  
   
  ⚫
* {{BNW}} Opening [[International trade route (Civ5)|trade routes]] with other civilizations; each route will contribute some SPs, based on the number of technologies the other civilization has discovered that you haven't.
⚫
There are also ways to gain 'free' technologies:
  
  +
* Using up a [[Great Scientist (Civ5)|Great Scientist]] via his special ability. This contributes immediately a fixed number of SPs, depending on the era you're in.
⚫
* [[Espionage (Civ5)|Stealing technologies]] from other civilizations via spying; note that you're limited to the technologies the other civilization has discovered, and you haven't, but have unlocked
  
  +
* Conducting [[Diplomacy (Civ5)#Research Agreement|research agreements]] with other civilizations. Again, this contributes a fixed number of SPs towards your current research effort. Note that if you earn more than enough points to finish researching the current tech, the extra points are automatically applied to the next technology in your queue, or another random technology available for research if you do not have one queued up. The same is valid for the [[Great Scientist (Civ5)|Great Scientist]].
⚫
* Constructing certain Wonders
  
  +
⚫
* Finishing the [[Social policies (Civ5)#Rationalism|Rationalism]] social branch.
  
  ⚫
There are also ways to gain "free" technologies:
  +
  ⚫
* [[Espionage (Civ5)|Stealing technologies]] from other civilizations via spying. Note that you're limited to the technologies the other civilization has discovered, and you haven't, but have unlocked and available for research.
  ⚫
* Constructing certain Wonders.
  ⚫
* Finishing the [[Rationalism (Civ5)|Rationalism]] policy tree.
   
−
The following Social policies and Ideological Tenets also boost {{Science5}}:
 +
The following Social policies and Ideological Tenets also boost {{Science5}} Science:
   
 
'''{{Link5|Social policies}} that provide science'''
  
'''{{Link5|Social policies}} that provide science'''
Line 137: Line 142:
 
|-
  
|-
 
| {{SocialPolicy5|Scholasticism}}
  
| {{SocialPolicy5|Scholasticism}}
−
| [[Social policies (Civ5)#Patronage|Patronage]]
 +
| [[Patronage (Civ5)|Patronage]]
 
| {{Link5|Medieval era}}
  
| {{Link5|Medieval era}}
−
| Philanthropy
 +
| [[Philanthropy (Civ5)|Philanthropy]]
−
| City states provide 25% of their {{Science5}} science to you
 +
| City-states provide 25% of their {{Science5}} Science to you
 
|-
  
|-
 
| {{SocialPolicy5|Secularism}}
  
| {{SocialPolicy5|Secularism}}
−
| [[Social policies (Civ5)#Rationalism|Rationalism]]
 +
| [[Rationalism (Civ5)|Rationalism]]
 
| {{Link5|Renaissance era}}
  
| {{Link5|Renaissance era}}
 
| ''none''
  
| ''none''
−
| +2 {{Science5}} science for every specialist
 +
| +2 {{Science5}} Science for every specialist
 
|-
  
|-
 
| {{SocialPolicy5|Free thought}}
  
| {{SocialPolicy5|Free thought}}
−
| [[Social policies (Civ5)#Rationalism|Rationalism]]
 +
| [[Rationalism (Civ5)|Rationalism]]
 
| {{Link5|Renaissance era}}
  
| {{Link5|Renaissance era}}
−
| Secularism
 +
| [[Secularism (Civ5)|Secularism]]
−
| +17% {{Science5}} science to universities, +1 {{Science5}} for {{link5|trading post}}s
 +
| +17% {{Science5}} Science to Universities, +1 {{Science5}} for {{link5|Trading Post}}s
 
|-
  
|-
 
| {{SocialPolicy5|Scientific revolution}}
  
| {{SocialPolicy5|Scientific revolution}}
−
| [[Social policies (Civ5)#Rationalism|Rationalism]]
 +
| [[Rationalism (Civ5)|Rationalism]]
 
| {{Link5|Renaissance era}}
  
| {{Link5|Renaissance era}}
−
| Free Thought
 +
| [[Free Thought (Civ5)|Free Thought]]
 
| Boosts {{Science5}} Science gained from Research Agreements by +50%
  
| Boosts {{Science5}} Science gained from Research Agreements by +50%
 
|-
  
|-
−
| [[Ideology (Civ5)#Ideological Tenets|Worker's faculties]]
 +
| [[Workers' Faculties (Civ5)|Worker's Faculties]]
 
| [[Ideology (Civ5)#Ideological Tenets#Order|Order]]
  
| [[Ideology (Civ5)#Ideological Tenets#Order|Order]]
 
| {{Link5|Industrial era}}
  
| {{Link5|Industrial era}}
−
| two level 1 Order Tenets
 +
| Two level 1 Order Tenets
−
| +25% {{Science5}} science to Factories
 +
| +25% {{Science5}} Science to [[Factory (Civ5)|Factories]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
| [[Ideology (Civ5)#Ideological Tenets|Industrial Espionage]]
 +
| [[Industrial Espionage (Civ5)|Industrial Espionage]]
 
| [[Ideology (Civ5)#Ideological Tenets#Autocracy|Autocracy]]
  
| [[Ideology (Civ5)#Ideological Tenets#Autocracy|Autocracy]]
 
| {{Link5|Industrial era}}
  
| {{Link5|Industrial era}}
Line 172: Line 177:
 
| Spy tech stealing rate +50%
  
| Spy tech stealing rate +50%
 
|}
  
|}
⚫
''Notes:''
  
⚫
*''Adopting Rationalism gives you a +15% {{Science5}} while your empire is {{Happiness5}} Happy (+10% '''{{Science5}} '''in {{BNW}})''
  
⚫
*''Adopting all Policies in the Rationalism tree will grant 2 free Technologies (1 free Tech in {{BNW}})''
  
⚫
*''Completing Order gives you +2 {{Science5}} science in every city'' (not in BNW)
  
⚫
*''Completing Freedom doubles production on Great Person tile improvements, including the Academy'' ({{BNW}} this effect is transferred to the '''New Deal''' Freedom Tenet)
  
   
  ⚫
'''Notes:'''
⚫
===Science conversion===
  
  ⚫
*Adopting Rationalism gives you a +15% {{Science5}} Science while your empire is {{Happiness5}} Happy (+10% {{Science5}} Science in {{BNW}}).
  ⚫
*Adopting all policies in the Rationalism tree will grant 2 free Technologies (1 free Tech in {{BNW}}).
  ⚫
*Completing Order gives you +2 {{Science5}} Science in every city (in vanilla and {{GK}}).
  ⚫
*Completing the Freedom policy tree doubles production from Great Person tile improvements, including the Academy (in vanilla and {{GK}}).
  +
**{{BNW}} This effect is transferred to the [[New Deal (Civ5)|New Deal]] Freedom Tenet.
  +
  ⚫
===Science Conversion===
  ⚫
After researching [[Education (Civ5)|Education]], your cities gain the ability to convert 25% of their current {{Production5}} Production into {{Science5}} Science. Just assign this ability in the Production function of a city, and it will start producing science, adding points each turn according to its production potential!
   
  ⚫
Additionally, note that all {{Science5}} Science production in Puppet Cities suffers a 25% penalty.
⚫
After researching [[Education (Civ5)|Education]], your cities gain the ability to convert 25% of that city's current {{production5}} into {{science5}}. Just assign this ability in the Production function of a city, and it will start producing Science, adding points each turn according to its Production potential! 
  
⚫
*WARNING! Note that all {{science5}} production in Puppet Cities suffers a -25% penalty! 
  
   
 
==Strategy==
  
==Strategy==
−
As mentioned above, scientific progress is vital for your empire, especially on higher difficulties, even if you don't pursue Science victory. Good technological progress allows your army to gain an edge thanks to superior military tech; it gives you higher chances at completing Wonders because it allows you early access to them (and as we know, Wonders are completed on a 'first build - first serve' basis), and it unlocks all buildings necessary for the other types of victory.
 +
As mentioned above, scientific progress is vital for your empire, especially on higher difficulties, even if you don't pursue a scientific victory. Good technological progress allows your army to gain an edge thanks to superior military tech; it gives you higher chances at completing Wonders because it allows you early access to them (and as we know, Wonders are completed on a "first build-first serve" basis), and it unlocks all buildings necessary for the other types of victory.
   
−
Science depends first on {{Population5}}, and then on Buildings, most of which base their bonuses also on Population. So, having a large Population is a key to producing lots of {{Science5}}.
 +
Science depends first on {{Population5}} Population, and then on buildings, most of which base their bonuses also on population. So, having a large population is a key to producing lots of {{Science5}} Science.
   
−
Use every opportunity to extract Science from terrain - if you have lots of Jungle tiles nearby, DON'T CUT THEM DOWN, unless you really have to! Each one will boost {{Science5}} Science as soon as you build a University in the city controlling it. Also, when you gain a [[Great Scientist (Civ5)|Great Scientist]], build its Tile improvement - [[Academy (Civ5)|the Academy]]. And search for those Natural Wonders producing {{Science5}}, and try to build a city nearby!
 +
Use every opportunity to extract science from terrain - if you have lots of jungle tiles nearby, DON'T CUT THEM DOWN, unless you absolutely must! Each one will boost {{Science5}} Science as soon as you build a University in the city controlling it. Also, when you gain a [[Great Scientist (Civ5)|Great Scientist]], build its tile improvement - the [[Academy (Civ5)|Academy]]. And search for those Natural Wonders that produce {{Science5}} Science, and try to build a city nearby!
   
−
Technological progression is paramount for everybody in the game; but just as important as producing the {{science5}} is '''how''' you use that science, or rather (since science only has one use - discovering Technologies) in what order you discover your technologies. You should have a strategy for that, based on your current development strategy, the current circumstances of your empire (being low on {{gold5}}, {{culture5}}, etc., being threatened by a neighbor), and finally on the type of victory you're striving for.
 +
Technological progression is paramount for everybody in the game; but just as important as producing the {{science5}} Science is ''how'' you use that science, or rather (since science only has one use - discovering technologies) in what order you discover your technologies. You should have a strategy for that, based on your current development strategy, the current circumstances of your empire (being low on {{Gold5}} Gold, {{Culture5}} Culture, or another commodity, or being threatened by a neighbor), and finally on the type of victory you're striving for.
   
−
A very important technique you need to master, if you want to be successful, is '''''leapfrogging techs'''''. Because of the way the tech tree works, you are actually able to move up the tree without researching every single technology! This may be used to gain early access to the benefits of a key tech, including the ability to construct certain World Wonders ahead of the competition. To achieve that, check the tech you want in the tree, then follow back the lines that connect to its '''left''' side - they will lead you to the immediate prerequisites for the technology. Repeat that for these techs too, until you establish the necessary path to your current tech state. Then work consistently towards the target tech, '''leapfrogging''' the others along the way. Afterwards, go back and research what you skipped (it's not advisable to leave big technological gaps in your tree, this will most certainly backfire at a certain moment). A sign of the importance of this technique is that the computer AI always uses it, especially in the beginning of the game.
 +
A very important technique you need to master, if you want to be successful, is '''leapfrogging techs'''. Because of the way the tech tree works, you are actually able to move up the tree without researching every single technology! This may be used to gain early access to the benefits of a key tech, including the ability to construct certain World Wonders ahead of the competition. To achieve that, check the tech you want in the tree, then follow back the lines that connect to its left side - they will lead you to the immediate prerequisites for the technology. Repeat that for these techs too, until you establish the necessary path to your current tech state. Then work consistently towards the target tech, leapfrogging the others along the way. Afterwards, go back and research what you skipped. (It's not advisable to leave big technological gaps in your tree, as this will almost certainly backfire at an inopportune moment.) A sign of the importance of this technique is that the computer AI always uses it, especially in the beginning of the game.
   
−
Science is practically required for 2 of the 4 Victory conditions: [[Victory (Civ5)#Science victory|Science Victory]] and [[Victory (Civ5)#Diplomatic victory|Diplomatic victory]]. For the first you'll need to build a [[Spaceship (Civ5)|Spaceship]], and its 4 parts are unlocked via 4 of the last technologies in the Information (Future in Vanilla Civ 5) era. For more info on this type of victory, see [[Science victory (Civ5)|Science victory]].
 +
Science is practically required for 2 of the 4 victory conditions: [[Victory (Civ5)#Science victory|Science Victory]] and [[Victory (Civ5)#Diplomatic victory|Diplomatic Victory]]. For the first you'll need to build a [[Spaceship (Civ5)|Spaceship]], and its 4 parts are unlocked via 4 of the last technologies in the Information Era (or [[Future Era (Civ5)|Future Era]] in vanilla ''[[Civilization V]]'') era. For more info on this type of victory, see [[Science victory (Civ5)|Science victory]].
   
−
In the second case, there is a Wonder needed to trigger voting for a World Leader - [[United Nations (Civ5)|the United Nations]]. This wonder is unlocked by the [[Globalization (Civ5)|Globalization technology]], which is also one of the last in the last era. Although, its prerequisites allow you to rush to it by skipping a good deal of the Atomic Era and Information era technologies. Without this Wonder, it's impossible to win a Diplomatic victory (the voting will never start), and the others won't probably build it, if they see you have large influence with City-states.
 +
In the second case, there is a Wonder needed to trigger voting for a World Leader: the [[United Nations (Civ5)|United Nations]]. This wonder is unlocked by the [[Globalization (Civ5)|Globalization]] technology, which is also one of the last in the last era. Although, its prerequisites allow you to rush to it by skipping a good deal of the Atomic Era and Information Era technologies. Without this Wonder, it's impossible to win a Diplomatic victory (the voting will never start), and the others won't probably build it, if they see you have large influence with city-states.
   
−
*Note: In the [[Brave New World]] expansion pack, the United Nations isn't a Wonder anymore, but develops automatically from the World Congress, so the above isn't valid - you won't need that much Science for a Diplomatic victory. Still, the [[Globalization (Civ5)|Globalization technology]] is again extremely valuable for winning this type of victory - rush straight to it!
 +
Note that the United Nations isn't a Wonder anymore in the ''[[Civilization V: Brave New World|Brave New World]]'' expansion pack, but develops automatically from the [[World Congress (Civ5)|World Congress]], so the above isn't valid - you won't need that much science for a diplomatic victory. Still, the Globalization technology remains extremely valuable for winning this type of victory - rush straight to it!
   
 
Finally, for a [[Victory (Civ5)#Domination victory|Domination victory]], you'll need a competitive army, capable of defeating all other civilizations. Again, late-game military technologies will be required for that.
  
Finally, for a [[Victory (Civ5)#Domination victory|Domination victory]], you'll need a competitive army, capable of defeating all other civilizations. Again, late-game military technologies will be required for that.
   
−
<nowiki>*</nowiki>In fact, they DO have a prerequisite - the [[Agriculture (Civ5)|Agriculture]] technology. But the discovery of this tech is the very basis of civilization, the one requirement for a barbarian tribe to advance to this new status, so we consider that every civilization starts with Agriculture already researched.
+
<sup>*</sup> In fact, they DO have a prerequisite: the [[Agriculture (Civ5)|Agriculture]] technology. But the discovery of this tech is the very basis of civilization, the one requirement for a barbarian tribe to advance to this new status, so we consider that every civilization starts with Agriculture already researched.
   
 
{{Civ5}}
  
{{Civ5}}

Revision as of 19:06, 20 August 2017

BackArrowGreen Back to game concepts

File:Einstein.jpg

Introduction

20xScience5 Science Science is a game concept in Civilization V which represents the research power of your civilization. Unlike other stats like Culture Culture Culture or Faith Faith Faith, it has only one use: the acquisition of new Technologies. This, however, is paramount for your progress in the game, because technologies unlock buildings and improvements that allow you to access resources and produce almost everything else, and they also advance your military, allowing you to fight more effectively. And of course, it is one of the main paths towards winning the game, via the Science Victory.

Scientific Mechanics

As with most Civilization games, your scientific progress is measured in Science Points (SPs), also known as Research Points (RPs). They are generated by various sources and added to a total pool, which contributes to your current research project. The project toward which your civilization turns its research efforts is chosen from the available technologies in the tech tree, and may be changed at any point (without losing the progress you've made with the tech you abandoned). The discovery (development) of each technology requires a certain amount of SPs, which grows the more you advance through the tech tree, and which also depends on game speed, and the current size of your empire (number of cities you control). Besides that, each technology has one or more earlier technologies as prerequisites - thus the concept of a tech tree. The only techs without prerequisites are Pottery, Animal Husbandry, Archery and Mining - the ones first available for research in the very beginning of the game.*

The research process is automatic, and starts once you set up your capital - this means that you're constantly researching something throughout the entire game. The more SPs you contribute each turn for research, the faster you are going to discover the current technology. After you discover a technology, you gain all its benefits, and the game will prompt you to select the next one to be researched.

As mentioned above, you don't need to completely develop each technology before going to the next one - you can make some progress towards one, then change to another, if the strategic situation calls for it. Later, you'll come back to the first technology, and your scientists will resume from where they stopped.

Tech Tree and Civilization Eras

All technologies in the game are organised in a "tree," with each tech "connected" to one or more higher-level techs. Those higher-level techs cannot be researched before you finish all lower-level techs that connect to them directly (a process known as "unlocking"). So, you can neither research nor gain in other ways technologies you haven't unlocked - keep that in mind when planning your technological development and which techs you're going to research next!

The technological tree is also divided into eras, starting with the Ancient Era and finishing with the Information Era. These eras are a broad representation of the general level of development of your civilization, both from historical and game viewpoint. Each era includes a number of technologies, divided into two tiers; all techs in certain tier require roughly the same amount of SPs, and the general amount of SP progresses gradually from left to right. Those of Tier 2 (the rightmost tier) are almost always connected to Tier 1 (the leftmost tier). In other words, techs of Tier 1 of a certain era are almost always prerequisites for Tier 2 techs of the same era. There are notable exceptions, however, and in many cases you may leap tiers to progress faster to the next era.

Your civilization always starts in the Ancient Era (unless you start a custom game from a later era). To progress to the next era, you either need to research all technologies included in the previous one, or a single technology from the next era (after unlocking it of course). The era you are currently in determines a number of other gameplay effects, such as the exact amount of Culture Culture Culture and Faith Faith Faith you receive from friendly City-States, or what Social Policies you have access to.

Note that passing into the next era is an important achievement for a civilization, and is marked by a special announcement. Keep an eye for these announcements to track the progress of your rivals!

For a full list of technologies, see here.

Producing Science

Population and Buildings

The main source of SP in the game is your population. Each 20xPopulation5 Population Citizen in each city in your empire (even the Puppet cities) automatically contributes 1 SP to the total. On the other hand, each city (even Puppet cities) increases cost of new technologies by 2%! Therefore, if you want to maximize science production, it's better to have a small empire with heavily populated cities than a large empire with many cities, each one having only 3-4 20xPopulation5 Population Citizens. Of course, the best thing is to have a large empire with large population. 

The second source of SP are the science buildings. However, most of these base their contributions on the number of citizens in the city where they're built, which means population again matters. For example, a Library is more effective in a city with 20 20xPopulation5 Population Citizens (providing +10 SP), than it is in a city with 6 20xPopulation5 Population Citizens (providing only +3 SP). Certain Wonders also produce or enhance science, as shown below.

Buildings that provide science

Building Era Science Requirements
Library Library Ancient era +1 20xScience5 Science Science for every 2 20xPopulation5 Population Citizens Writing
University University Medieval era +33% 20xScience5 Science Science, +2 20xScience5 Science Science on jungle tiles worked by the city Education, requires a Library, Paper Maker, or Royal Library
Observatory Observatory Renaissance era +50% 20xScience5 Science Science Astronomy, requires a mountain adjacent to the city
Public school Public school Industrial era +3 20xScience5 Science Science, +1 20xScience5 Science Science for every 2 20xPopulation5 Population Citizens Scientific Theory, requires a University or Wat
Research lab Research lab Modern era +4 20xScience5 Science Science, +50% 20xScience5 Science Science Plastics, requires a Public School

Wonders that provide science

Wonder Science Requirement
Great Library Great Library +3 20xScience5 Science Science, free Library and provides one free technology Writing
National College National College +3 20xScience5 Science Science, +50% 20xScience5 Science Science Requires a Library in every city
Porcelain Tower Porcelain Tower 50% more 20xScience5 Science Science from research agreements Architecture

Requires Rationalism (BNW-only)

Oxford University Oxford University +3 20xScience5 Science Science, and provides one free technology

Education

Requires a University in every city

Scientist Specialists

A number of science-oriented buildings have slots for Scientist Specialists. Assigning Citizen Citizen Citizens to work in them provides +3 20xScience5 Science Science each to the city's base output.

Terrain

Normally, terrain isn't a source of 20xScience5 Science Science. The only type that has inherent science potential is jungle, but only after you build a University in the city which controls it (which doesn't happen before the middle game).

Many Natural Wonders produce 20xScience5 Science Science, and could be extremely beneficial to your empire in the early game, providing additional science when no other sources are yet possible.

Finally, the Academy improvement adds a good amount of 20xScience5 Science Science to a tile - again very useful in the early game (and also later - the initial amount increases with certain technologies).

Terrain features that boost science

Feature Bonus
Academy Academy +8 20xScience5 Science Science, +10 20xScience5 Science Science with Scientific Theory, +12 20xScience5 Science Science with Atomic Theory, +16 20xScience5 Science with New Deal from the Freedom Ideology
Trading post Trading post +1 20xScience5 Science Science with Free Thought from the Rationalism Social Policy Tree
Jungle Jungle +2 20xScience5 Science Science when worked by a city with a University

Other Sources

The following additional ways to boost Research are available:

  • BNW-only Opening trade routes with other civilizations; each route will contribute some SPs, based on the number of technologies the other civilization has discovered that you haven't.
  • Using up a Great Scientist via his special ability. This contributes immediately a fixed number of SPs, depending on the era you're in.
  • Conducting research agreements with other civilizations. Again, this contributes a fixed number of SPs towards your current research effort. Note that if you earn more than enough points to finish researching the current tech, the extra points are automatically applied to the next technology in your queue, or another random technology available for research if you do not have one queued up. The same is valid for the Great Scientist.

There are also ways to gain "free" technologies:

  • Stealing technologies from other civilizations via spying. Note that you're limited to the technologies the other civilization has discovered, and you haven't, but have unlocked and available for research.
  • Constructing certain Wonders.
  • Finishing the Rationalism policy tree.

The following Social policies and Ideological Tenets also boost 20xScience5 Science Science:

Social policies that provide science

Policy/Tenet Branch/Ideology Era Requirements Effect
Template:SocialPolicy5 Patronage Medieval era Philanthropy City-states provide 25% of their 20xScience5 Science Science to you
Template:SocialPolicy5 Rationalism Renaissance era none +2 20xScience5 Science Science for every specialist
Template:SocialPolicy5 Rationalism Renaissance era Secularism +17% 20xScience5 Science Science to Universities, +1 20xScience5 Science for Trading Posts
Template:SocialPolicy5 Rationalism Renaissance era Free Thought Boosts 20xScience5 Science Science gained from Research Agreements by +50%
Worker's Faculties Order Industrial era Two level 1 Order Tenets +25% 20xScience5 Science Science to Factories
Industrial Espionage Autocracy Industrial era none Spy tech stealing rate +50%

Notes:

  • Adopting Rationalism gives you a +15% 20xScience5 Science Science while your empire is 20xHappiness5 Happiness Happy (+10% 20xScience5 Science Science in BNW-only).
  • Adopting all policies in the Rationalism tree will grant 2 free Technologies (1 free Tech in BNW-only).
  • Completing Order gives you +2 20xScience5 Science Science in every city (in vanilla and GodsKings5 clear).
  • Completing the Freedom policy tree doubles production from Great Person tile improvements, including the Academy (in vanilla and GodsKings5 clear).
    • BNW-only This effect is transferred to the New Deal Freedom Tenet.

Science Conversion

After researching Education, your cities gain the ability to convert 25% of their current Production Production Production into 20xScience5 Science Science. Just assign this ability in the Production function of a city, and it will start producing science, adding points each turn according to its production potential!

Additionally, note that all 20xScience5 Science Science production in Puppet Cities suffers a 25% penalty.

Strategy

As mentioned above, scientific progress is vital for your empire, especially on higher difficulties, even if you don't pursue a scientific victory. Good technological progress allows your army to gain an edge thanks to superior military tech; it gives you higher chances at completing Wonders because it allows you early access to them (and as we know, Wonders are completed on a "first build-first serve" basis), and it unlocks all buildings necessary for the other types of victory.

Science depends first on 20xPopulation5 Population Population, and then on buildings, most of which base their bonuses also on population. So, having a large population is a key to producing lots of 20xScience5 Science Science.

Use every opportunity to extract science from terrain - if you have lots of jungle tiles nearby, DON'T CUT THEM DOWN, unless you absolutely must! Each one will boost 20xScience5 Science Science as soon as you build a University in the city controlling it. Also, when you gain a Great Scientist, build its tile improvement - the Academy. And search for those Natural Wonders that produce 20xScience5 Science Science, and try to build a city nearby!

Technological progression is paramount for everybody in the game; but just as important as producing the 20xScience5 Science Science is how you use that science, or rather (since science only has one use - discovering technologies) in what order you discover your technologies. You should have a strategy for that, based on your current development strategy, the current circumstances of your empire (being low on Gold Gold Gold, Culture Culture Culture, or another commodity, or being threatened by a neighbor), and finally on the type of victory you're striving for.

A very important technique you need to master, if you want to be successful, is leapfrogging techs. Because of the way the tech tree works, you are actually able to move up the tree without researching every single technology! This may be used to gain early access to the benefits of a key tech, including the ability to construct certain World Wonders ahead of the competition. To achieve that, check the tech you want in the tree, then follow back the lines that connect to its left side - they will lead you to the immediate prerequisites for the technology. Repeat that for these techs too, until you establish the necessary path to your current tech state. Then work consistently towards the target tech, leapfrogging the others along the way. Afterwards, go back and research what you skipped. (It's not advisable to leave big technological gaps in your tree, as this will almost certainly backfire at an inopportune moment.) A sign of the importance of this technique is that the computer AI always uses it, especially in the beginning of the game.

Science is practically required for 2 of the 4 victory conditions: Science Victory and Diplomatic Victory. For the first you'll need to build a Spaceship, and its 4 parts are unlocked via 4 of the last technologies in the Information Era (or Future Era in vanilla Civilization V) era. For more info on this type of victory, see Science victory.

In the second case, there is a Wonder needed to trigger voting for a World Leader: the United Nations. This wonder is unlocked by the Globalization technology, which is also one of the last in the last era. Although, its prerequisites allow you to rush to it by skipping a good deal of the Atomic Era and Information Era technologies. Without this Wonder, it's impossible to win a Diplomatic victory (the voting will never start), and the others won't probably build it, if they see you have large influence with city-states.

Note that the United Nations isn't a Wonder anymore in the Brave New World expansion pack, but develops automatically from the World Congress, so the above isn't valid - you won't need that much science for a diplomatic victory. Still, the Globalization technology remains extremely valuable for winning this type of victory - rush straight to it!

Finally, for a Domination victory, you'll need a competitive army, capable of defeating all other civilizations. Again, late-game military technologies will be required for that.

* In fact, they DO have a prerequisite: the Agriculture technology. But the discovery of this tech is the very basis of civilization, the one requirement for a barbarian tribe to advance to this new status, so we consider that every civilization starts with Agriculture already researched.

Civilization V [edit]
Gods & Kings • Brave New World
Lists
Eras
Concepts
Miscellaneous
† Only in vanilla Civ5
‡ Only in Gods & Kings and Brave New World
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
More Fandoms