Researching Order

That's a very opinion-centric question to answer. The answers will vary depending on what you're trying to reach. If you like a quick boost in weapons, you focus there first. Or sensors, engines, armor, hull sizes, and so on ad infinitum. If you like to spread it around, it still leaves little you can get a straightforward answer to. Personally, I like to spread it around a little, with focused effort mainly into a weapons/sensor acc jump first. Then moving into other areas.

I play IRM (a most beautiful tech tree ). It is ultimately relative to the style you like to play.

"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and will always long to return." ~Leonardo DaVinci

personally- it varies... in the beginning, i focus on more research... then i start shifting towards infrustructure, defenses, and the better weapons.

i don't spend too much on early weapons unless i'm in a pinch and have to fight off the AI early; otherwise i wait so i can have the better weapons, like the phased weapons.

usually it will be over a handful of different areas, occasionally i would re-direct a substantial amount to one area if it is going to improve my empire signicantly.

These days, I will first try to get to the next research level, then increase sensor range.

After that, it's usually things like more research, more sensors, ship size and weapons.

I always go after a few levels of sensors first. Then I research Ship parts like armour and weapons. I save the rest for Mid game. That Way I have a huge fleet, and then im like MUHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, NOW I CAN RESEARCH STORAGE AND RESOURCE EXTRACTION TO SUPPORT IT!!!

I like to get at least two or three levels in Sensor technology before anything else. Sensors are a huge benefit early expansion. Also, it's nice to see the enemy coming that much sooner.

After sensors, I typically get a few levels of Armor tech. Armor tech is cheap and very efficient (more than 10% boost per level at the beginning, I think). You can't rely on armor forever, though, as eventually you'll run into someone using Shard cannons...

Oh, you'll also want to get at least level 1 in Intelligence Services, or you'll be unable to defend yourself against spies.

Some players will prioritize Physics in order to get shield technology quickly. That's not always a good idea, though, depending on your attack strategies. Fighters, for example, do not benefit much from shields (IMO).

First question: What mod do you play?

---Sig---
Playing Touhou games (Go here if interested . No, nobody else is that good/insane as that replay). No rush for SE V bug fixing.

Are you sure you know what you're getting yourself into?

Haven't played a game long enough yet to see first-hand, but I keep hearing it's essentially suicide to give the AI max bonus in the latest version of IRM.

"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and will always long to return." ~Leonardo DaVinci

I disagree. Stay in your corner of the quadrant, befriend all the AI (share all tech), then lower the tech treaties and out-research them (you can still manage your population a lot better than the AI). Of course if you want to play a FUN game you shouldn't do that. I naively thought they would try to attack me at some point...
Savegame