Research

[Cornelius Plautus]

Out of curiosity, what is the first concept you research in Empire: Total War? I'm a new player myself, but in the two playthroughs I've attempted, I've found that starting by researching the basic philosophical concepts helps my economy the most.

[MortenJessen]

Hi there.
My order of early research:
1) Common land enclosures.
2) Empiricism.
3) Plug bayonet.
And from there, all the way to Military syllabus, before going back to economical techs.
Y.S.
M. Jessen

[Steave]

I always tear down 1 building in my capital region and replace that with a second school to start with. The original school starts researching plug bayonets, and then keep working on military tech to get fire by rank asap. 4 turns in, when my second school complete, it starts working on Empiricism since being able to upgrade to the next school gives a roughly 50% speed boost. After that, or if I have captured a third school by that time, I set that to work on farm uogrades.

I also try to get canister shot pretty soon, but that can be researched either by a secondary school or while waiting for the next tier of barracks to get built after completing military syllabus.

[eXistenZ]

Canister shot.

Then empiricism and social contract (+15% research rate)

Normally by then i have captured a region with a school in, and from there i start the military research (plg bayonet), to get to fire by rank as fast as possible. I ussualy don't care much for naval technology in the beginning

[TargetSlayer]

As with any TW title, or for that matter any other strategy game, generally speaking of course, resource management is key to success. I like the evolution of technology to TW, especially with schools in Empire. Less complicated than say Civilization, but still strategic especially at the beginning of the game.

Personally, I would try to establish 3 schools immediately, and generate as many gentlemen as possible. With England I focus on Navy technology almost continuously. At the beginning, especially if I can turtle, I will focus on economy and the non military techs. Research the "main" tech that provides the ability to construct a new building (if applicable), then while building the structure you can research the remaining "enhancement" techs for that tier. Once I have a solid economy then I start researching military technologies.

Again, one may need to research for battle sooner than later, or expansion may be paramount to acquiring sufficient land to build a decent economy. With England this is not critical. In my current (and first) Grand Campaign, I have turtled and have a very robust economy, lots of technology, and first in Prestige. I have the Thirteen Colonies and a sizeable navy. All this without fighting anyone except the Native Americans [edited: and New France for Quebec]. I still have reasonable relations with France and Spain, both of whom I have been trading with since the beginning of the game. I am 82 turns into this campaign.

My first tech(s) is food production. That and lowering taxes is a great strategy right at the beginning.

TS!

[♔ brucedickenson♔]

I always go for empiricism, then common land enclosures, followed by plug

[Tim1988]

I make sure that I have at least 2 schools early on (as Britain i usually destroy the church school and replace it with a research one). At one of them I research military technologies with the aim of getting fire by rank as soon as possible. This is key in battles, because it effectively triples the firepower of your units, whilst bayonets are also important, especially against natives and other melee troops (I'll also usually research canister along the way). In the other school I will research the first couple of philosophy researches, letting me upgrade the schools and then the one that lets me upgrade farms.

I also trade as many techs as i can early on in the game (sometimes even with enemies). This allows you to really get ahead fast.

[rubenandthejets]

I went for the first two that build up your research rate and allow you to build better schools. A 5-10% bonus on the research rate from turn 2 or 3 makes a big difference in the long run.