Some things I've learned

[Darth Venom]

I suggest repairing newly conquered regions ASAP, preferably during the turn you conquered it. The AI, like me, always has an observatory up on regions that can build it. That's 4% research and +2 to happiness. Repairing the main building always adds 1-4 repression which is helpful.

Speaking of the 4% research bonus. Does anyone know of that is global or province specific? If it is the latter observatories would be the worse choice in most provinces than their alternative (have forgotten the name..).

[Haudegen]

Speaking of the 4% research bonus. Does anyone know of that is global or province specific? If it is the latter observatories would be the worse choice in most provinces than their alternative (have forgotten the name..).

I think it´s global. For testing purposes I have just removed all four Observatories in my empire and as a result the the research times increased a little bit. And my only two research facilities were both in my starting province.

[Darth Venom]

Cheers, that's good to know.

[MikeV]

I think it´s global. For testing purposes I have just removed all four Observatories in my empire and as a result the the research times increased a little bit. And my only two research facilities were both in my starting province.

It's worth re-testing: try removing all the Observatories except the one in your home Capital. It would be good to know if it is the only one that provides the global bonus.

[Haudegen]

It's worth re-testing: try removing all the Observatories except the one in your home Capital. It would be good to know if it is the only one that provides the global bonus.

Ok,

1. the estimated time for the research of "Abolition of Slavery" was 9 turns in my best university in my home province.
2. I removed all Observatories (~ 8 or 9) except the one in my capital
3. the estimated time jumps from 9 to 12 turns.

q. e. d.

[Kulgan]

Apart from the % research bonus your obersatories also spawn gentlemen and allow more gentlemen so that's two times a research bonus. I don't see a viable use for the other building you can build ( opera something ) before you finished the tech tree.

[Slaists]

good post. i picked up a thing or two :)

[katank]

As for the trade spot race thing, be sure to send your regular military ships there as well. Even though they don't generate trade, parking one there denies it to your rivals. Many nations have substantial fleets of sloops and brigs early on which can be put to good use this way. Simply replace those with real trade ships when you get a chance.

[MikeV]

Apart from the % research bonus your obersatories also spawn gentlemen and allow more gentlemen so that's two times a research bonus. I don't see a viable use for the other building you can build ( opera something ) before you finished the tech tree.

Agreed -- that's the approach I'm using, too.

[MikeV]

It seems that the global map topology, and the descriptions on the strat map, are a bit misleading about the naval "teleport" zones (those rectangular trampoline thingies at the edges of the map).

They are not single-edge connections, but all hyper-linked together in some (undocumented) way. That is, it does not matter which teleport you use, you can sail your fleet to any other theater or trade zone from it. About the only effect it has is which box the fleet occupies when it arrives.

So, sail towards the one that's closest to your originating port. It can save 1-3 turns.

[MikeV]

Ok,

1. the estimated time for the research of "Abolition of Slavery" was 9 turns in my best university in my home province.
2. I removed all Observatories (~ 8 or 9) except the one in my capital
3. the estimated time jumps from 9 to 12 turns.

q. e. d.

Thanks!