Howdy Folks,
Today we dive into a fundamental mechanic of Barrage, the Tech tiles, or Technologies. You will need Techs to build Structures - whenever you perform a Construction action, a Tech will allow you to build a specific Building which will end up on the game map. Advanced Techs can be purchased throughout the game; they represent cutting-edge innovations and strategic upgrades that can supercharge your infrastructure, streamline your operations, and unlock new possibilities for your economic engine.
5. The power of Advanced Techs
Unlike standard actions, Advanced Techs add an extra layer of complexity and customization to your strategy. Just like regular ones (which every player possesses at the beginning of the game), they allow the Construction of a specific Structure; however, they also have a special secondary effect which applies in the moment they are chosen during the Construction action.
Advanced Techs are divided in three Tiers which are revealed (3 by 3) as the game progresses. At the end of each round, unsold techs will be discarded and lost forever; one more reason to plan ahead when it comes to purchasing them.
Tier 1 - Early game (Round 1-2)
Effect: Build a Dam base.
Secondary effect: Your empty Dams (including this one) receive a Water drop.
Strategy: if you are rushing to build as many Dams as you can, this Tech allows to fill them easily, balancing out the scarcity of water (especially during the first turns).
Effect: Build an Elevation.
Secondary effect: You also rotate your Construction wheel as many times as the amount of Elevations you built (including this one).
Strategy: if you are playing tall, you will deal with the relative scarcity of Concrete Mixers. This tile will allow you to easily empty out your Construction wheel, retrieving the Techs you have allocated.
Effect: Build a Conduit.
Secondary effect: You also gain 2 Credits per each level of the Conduit you just built.
Strategy: A good engine start, this Tech provides easy Credits to use for other Advanced Techs or to rotate the Construction wheel early.
Effect: Build a Powerhouse.
Secondary effect: You don’t place Engineers to build this Powerhouse.
Strategy: An easy way to rush to the CEO’s special ability, which unlocks when the third Powerhouse is built.
Effect: Build a Structure of your choice.
Secondary effect: You don’t pay Credits if you build a Building in a building space with the red border.
Strategy: Ensuring access to the red bordered building spaces provides a small but significant advantage against opponents, as they are closer to the Basins (thus they collect Water drops more easily).
Tier 2 - Mid game (Round 2-3-4)
Effect: Build a Dam base.
Secondary effect: You also produce Energy equal to the number of the Dams you have built (including this one).
Strategy: While the game progresses, smaller contracts may get less useful - this Tech allows an easy way to fulfill them without wasting an actual Production action.
Effect: Build an Elevation.
Secondary effect: The Dam where you have built this Elevation gets filled up to its maximum capacity.
Strategy: Useful for building tall or when opponents build their Dams upstream.
Effect: Build a Conduit.
Secondary effect: If you would pay more than 5 Excavators to build this Conduit, you pay 5 Excavators instead.
Strategy: Allows an easy access to very expensive Conduits.
Effect: Build a Powerhouse.
Secondary effect: You may also perform a Production action with a +2 bonus.
Strategy: Production is of the utmost importance; a free Production allows to save 2-3 Engineers which can be allocated elsewhere.
Effect: Build a Structure of your choice.
Secondary effect: You can use any combination of Excavators and Concrete Mixers to build this Structure.
Strategy: Mid-game is easy to have a lot of one type of Machinery. This Tech evens out the difference.
Tier 3 - End game (Round 4-5)
Effect: Build a Dam base.
Secondary effect: You don’t place Engineers to build this Dam, and you don’t pay any Excavator.
Strategy: Useful to unlock the 7 Victory Point bonus when all Dams are built.
Effect: Build an Elevation.
Secondary effect: You also gain 3 Victory Points for each of your Dams with at least one Elevation on it.
Strategy: Works well with multiple, cheap Dams.
Effect: Build a Conduit.
Secondary effect: You also produce 2 Energy per each level of the Conduit you just built.
Strategy: Additional Production during the end-game ensures the top tier Objectives can be reached (30+ Energy).
Effect: Build a Powerhouse.
Secondary effect: You also gain 3 Victory Points for each Powerhouse you built (including this one).
Strategy: Powerhouses do not unlock a 7 Victory Point reward - this Tech makes building Powerhouses more lucrative.
Effect: Build a Structure of your choice.
Secondary effect: You also gain 3 Victory Points for each Advanced Tech you have (including this one).
Strategy: Can be the culmination of a strategy based on Advanced Techs acquisition.
Advanced Techs can shift the tide of the game as long as they are purchased at the right moment. Just don’t leave them too unattended, as the AI is particularly greedy towards them!
Until next time,
Amintiri