Tue Aug 26, 2014 11:55 am
From the manual which is available from the steam store page.
"Technology & Research
The Great War saw a rapid
incorporation of new 20th
century technologies into the
armies of Europe. Keeping up
with technological advancements
will be important for maintaining
a competitive edge over your
opponents.
Technological Centers
Technology is represented in the off-map
Research Area of the map, accessible by
clicking on the region of the mini-map in
the area indicated by the red circle below,
and navigating to the right of the Diplomacy
Regions. Here you will see a section for
Central Powers, Western Entente, and Eastern
Entente indicating the technology categories,
their current level (1-4, show in top right
of the technology icon), and the percentage
progress towards next level (0-100%, show in
bottom right of the technology icon).
Technology will increase gradually
over time. In addition, beginning in 1915,
funding can be immediately directed to
a certain technology category via the F6
Research screen (shown in figure below).
Figure 19: The Diplomatic Boxes (right) are on the top-right of the main map.
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100
For a cost in State Funds and Engagement Pts, progress can be
made immediately towards the technology being funded. It will
take 6-12 turns (3-6 months) before funding in the same category
can be applied again.
Figure 31: The Research Ministry view
Additionally, certain events can be played to give one-time
increases in a technology category (such as Fokker by the Central
Powers for a one-time Aviation Research bonus) to represent
historical advantages certain nations possessed.
Technological Decisions
A brief description of the Technology Categories follows (for further
detail, see the tool-tips in game on the technology counters in the
Research off-map regions):
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101
• Infantry Research: Each infantry tech level will improve the
stats of line infantry models, gradually improving protection,
trench penetration, and firepower/assault values. At level 4,
assault troops/stormtroopers will become available, useful for
making breaches in heavy entrenchments.
• Artillery Research: Each level of artillery tech will lead to
improvements in field artillery and/or medium/heavy artillery
pieces. Artillery is crucial for breaking through entrenchments and
softening up heavily defended enemy positions later in the war.
• Aviation Research: Aviation research will improve the fighting
capabilities of air units, and at later levels improve the bombing
capabilities as well. Early planes are incapable of combat, and
maintaining an edge in this category is crucial for claiming the
skies (and in turn keeping tabs on enemy positions and strength).
• Chemical Research: Chemical research levels will unlock
new forms of chemical warfare, ranging from early chlorine to
phosgene and mustard gas attacks. Once unlocked, each level
will grant Regional Decisions (RGD) which can be used against
enemy positions to weaken the enemy prior to an assault. The
very first time gas is used (of any type) it will have a much stronger
effect due to the surprise nature of the attack. Correspondingly,
each gas has a slight bonus the first 3 times it is used. Afterwards,
gas effects are somewhat muted (though still helpful). Therefore,
there is a great advantage towards researching and using this
technology before your opponent does.
• Tank Research: Tanks can be very helpful disrupting enemy
trenches and weakening the enemy before the infanty move in.
Each level of tank research improves the models and statistics
of tanks being built.
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Note: Unlike other technologies, tank research does not progress
until 8/1/1915, and cannot be funded for extra gain prior to this
time either.
• U-Boat Research (Central Powers only): U-Boat research
will increase the Force Pool availability of submarine units, as
well as improving submarine combat capabilities. Its primary
effect is increasing the raiding capability of submarines in the
Shipping Boxes. See the section on Submarine Warfare for
more details.
• Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Research (Western
Entente only): ASW research will improve the screening
ability of Entente light warships in protecting convoys from
submarine warfare. See the section on Submarine Warfare for
more details.
Note: Unlike other technologies, ASW research cannot be funded
until 6/1/1915 (due to the Entente’s slowness in incorporating
ASW technologies, but it will progress slowly on its own prior
to this date)."