Changes to Technology

Earlier in this section, the concepts and gameplay of Trade, Culture, Tourism, and the World Congress were covered. Naturally, there have also been some changes in the technological underpinnings that make these things possible. Let’s see how Technology has developed in this Brave New World.

Animal Husbandry

A new feature of Animal Husbandry allows for the creation of Trade Routes through Caravans laden with goods, Gold, and Food. The Caravans traveling along Trade Routes can be used to share scientific progress between civilizations, spread religion, generate wealth, and even help far away cities avoid starvation. Use them to help your internal development or foster international goodwill—just beware of marauding barbarians or enemies looking for easy plunder!

The changes to Trade Routes as well as their benefits and downsides will receive heavy treatment later in this guide in its own section.

Archery

In Brave New World, an increase in barbarian activity and increased exposure due to Trade Routes means that it is even harder to protect the interests of your civilization. Station Archers on hills to provide a lookout so you always know when enemies approach your vulnerable Workers and Caravans. Having an eye on the world around you is essential. Also, research Archery even sooner than before if you need to protect your nation inside and outside of its borders.

Sailing

The Wheel

Having roads connecting your cities is the best way to speed vulnerable Caravans along their Trade Routes. The less time they spend in transit, the less opportunity for an enemy to undo your precious investment. Beyond this, your martial units can use them to move wherever they are needed faster and more efficiently, keeping your empire safe. Because of this, The Wheel is essential to a budding Trade Empire looking to expand.

Trapping

Writing

Construction

Currency

If you are investing any time in trading, research Currency to enable the building of markets. You’ll welcome the extra Gold gained on each route!

Drama and Poetry

The Writers’ Guild produces Culture on its own and has slots that can accommodate additional Writers. Each Writer increases the Culture produced by the Writers’ Guild and generates points towards the birth of a Great Writer.

The importance of Culture and Tourism was covered earlier in this section. This Technology has become an even more powerful force in protecting your Culture and starting you on the path toward a Cultural Victory.

Engineering

Researching this Technology gives you an additional Trade Route. Even if your economy is in good shape, use these internally to shore up the Food reserves of your satellite cities.

Horseback Riding

In Brave New World, use fast-moving mounted units to police your Trade Routes and protect Caravans from increased barbarian activity. Ride down barbarian encampments as soon as they appear, before they become a problem to your internal development.

This Technology also unlocks the Caravansary, which extends the range of your Caravans by 50%. This allows you to create new Trade Routes with cities and civilizations even further away, but make sure that you have the Horsemen to keep them safe.

Compass

Researching the Compass increases the range of your Cargo Ships, allowing them to expand your Trade networks to even more distant cities. They also unlock Harbors, which also extend the range. Any sea-faring merchants will benefit immensely from this technology, as long as they keep their ships safe from opportunistic scavengers.

Guilds

Those with a taste for the refined world of Art will enjoy the Artists’ Guild. It generates Culture and has slots for Artists to work toward the birth of a Great Artist. Having Great Works on display is a major factor in Tourism, so anyone seeking a Cultural Victory will want to get this early to start generating Great Artist points.

Traders can build the East India Company, a powerful new Wonder devoted to accruing money through Trade Routes. If you have a city that is a major Trade hub, this Wonder can grant you immense wealth.

Machinery

Anyone investing heavily in Trade Routes will enjoy the increased speed along roads, as your Caravans will spend less time traveling and more time delivering shiny Gold to your treasury.

Theology

If you seek to send the tenets of your religion out into the world, this is the Technology you want. The Grand Temple is a National Wonder that doubles the religious pressure from the city, and the Wonder known as Borobudur sends out free missionaries. Both must be built on a holy city. Spread the word and let the faithful come!

Acoustics

Acoustics is a Technology for cultural powerhouses. It unlocks the Musicians’ Guild, a new building, to generate Culture and Great Musicians. Acoustics also unlocks the Opera House to hold the Great Works of Music that are created by your Great Musicians (to generate Tourism). Use these buildings in concert to work toward a Cultural Victory!

Astronomy

Trade ships have limited range, so anything that lets them take a direct route instead of hugging the coastline is useful. If the ocean sits between you and new sources of wealth (or conquest), look to the stars.

Banking

Banking allows you to increase the breadth of your Trade Empire by increasing the maximum number of Trade Routes. It also allows for the creation of Banks, a building that increases the amount of Gold generated by Trade Routes in the same city (as well as providing Gold by itself). See the money roll in!

Metallurgy

The Technology of Metallurgy now allows for the construction of the Red Fort, a Wonder that increases the effectiveness of defensive structures by 25%. Build it to protect your lands while conquering or to make your civilization a much less tempting target to predators.

Printing Press

The Printing Press is a milestone in Technology because of the World Congress. As soon as a civilization researches the Printing Press and meets all other Nations, the World Congress is unlocked. An entire section later in this guide is devoted to the World Congress, as it is a major new development in diplomacy and global power.

Even the most isolationist nation has to deal with the sweeping changes the World Congress makes possible, so research this Technology as soon as possible. This ensures that you not only have a seat at the table, but that it’s also one that can make the proposals that change the world.

Even without the intricacies of Diplomacy, this Technology grants the Zoo and Globe Theatre. The Zoo takes over the function of the old Theatre building, in that it is relatively cheap, provides Happiness, and requires a Colosseum. The new Globe Theatre Wonder grants Culture, houses Great Works of Writing, and generates a Great Writer, making it a powerful force for Culture and Tourism.

Archaeology

Cultural Victories revolve around showcasing Great Works of Art, Music, and Writing in buildings and Wonders to promote Tourism. This Technology allows you to construct Archaeologists who can excavate ruins (a new type of tile covered later in the guide) to bring back Artifacts and Great Works for you to exhibit. Search your own ruins with Archeologists or send them on missions to other nations to dig up their treasures!

Biology

In addition to revealing Oil deposits, Biology lets you continue to expand and dominate the Trade system by granting an additional maximum Trade Route.

Combustion

Combustion is an essential Technology for modern war machines as well as a potent tool for Traders since it grants an instant 50% boost to the distance your Trade Caravans can go. Use it to peacefully expand your Trade network or work toward paying for a military push.

Radio

Radio is one of the milestone Technologies for a Cultural Victory. If you have been focusing on creating and displaying Great Works, the Wonder of Broadway will give you additional ways to lure in Tourism. Combine this with Broadcast Towers to see a sharp increase in Tourism. If you are seeking victory through Culture and Tourism, research this Technology to tell the world of the wonders and marvels you have waiting for them.

Railroad

This Technology gives you an additional Trade Route to use however you see fit, whether that is to expand Trade along the rails to foreign lands or to develop internally to create Production and Food between your cities. Be vigilant and watch for predators seeking easy money by robbing your cargo!

Refrigeration

Refrigeration provides two new advancements for non-military powers. Hotels are a complex new building for those working toward a Cultural Victory. They generate Tourism based on Culture, which means that any player that has been focused on Wonders and other Culture-generating buildings will start to see a sharp increase in Tourism as well. They’ll be covered fully later along with the other new buildings!

Traders will likewise be pleased, as this Technology extends the distance cargo ships can travel for Trade Routes by 50%. Your sea Trade will reach farther than ever before, bringing you Gold to use however you wish.

Nuclear Fission

The Technology of Nuclear Fission unlocks the Nuclear Bomb and Nuclear Plant as well as the new Anti-tank Bazooka unit. The Bazooka does not fire nuclear rounds!

Penicillin

Besides the military and medical benefits, this Technology grants an additional maximum Trade Route. Use it to help pay for projects or use it internally to grow.

Globalization

This is an essential Technology for anyone seeking a Diplomatic Victory, as any Diplomat in another civilization’s Capital starts providing an additional vote in the World Congress. Push toward this Technology if you have any interest in ruling the world as an elected leader. We’ve covered the delicate art of Diplomacy and the World Congress extensively in its own section, later in this guide.

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology unlocks the powerful XCOM squad. They're able to deploy over a huge distance and act as powerful infantry for end-game sieges and defense.

The Internet

This is a new Technology that doubles the Tourism of all your cities once you research it. If you’ve been working towards Cultural Victory the whole game, this might be the final step that lets you reach the top.