randomly focused

[gchristie]

Hello,

If one chooses the random research option at game setup, is there any point to expending focus points on particular areas of research? On the face of it I would think no, but...

Regards.

[Peter Stauffenberg]

I would say yes because the formula is like this:

Progress = number of labs * random number / research difficulty * 100 / 3 (if balanced)
Progress = number of labs * random number / research difficulty * 100 / 2 (if focus)
Progress = number of labs * random number / research difficulty * 100 / 4 (if focus in other area)

Let's say you research fixed defenses with 3 labs in infantry and the random number you get is 2 (it can any of 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 5 or 10)
Research difficulty for fixed defenses is 35.

Progress (balanced) = 3 * 2 / 35 * 100 / 3 = 5.7
Progress (focused) = 8.6
Progress (other focus) = 4.3

So you get 3 more progress with focus on fixed defenses than balanced. The price you pay is that you get 1.4 less progress for artillery and antitank.

Since each of the 15 categories are checked separately you can with random research get a random number 1.5 for artillery, 2 for fixed defenses and a 10 for antitank. So you might see the focued area progress less on that turn, but over time the focused area will progress the most.

[gchristie]

Bravo Stauffenberg. Thank you.