research breakthrough

[Pocus]

What are the probabilities into gaining the next research level when you have one less point invested that the required amount? (not specified in the manual, but I had this occur, and I think it is mentioned in one AAR).
Also, is it possible to breakthrough with 2 points missing, etc. ?

thanks in advances.

[Becket]

Pocus: The chance is based on the actual point total needed (which can have fractions. From the research section of the manual, using 7/8 as an example:

Research, however, is not inexpensive. To increase a unit types attribute by 1, it costs five Research Points plus
one for every five units already on the map and on the Production Spiral. So, if 13 units exist on the map or in
production, it takes 5 points plus 3 more (13 units divided by 5), or a total of 8 Research Points to move up one
attribute level.

There is a chance that it will cost one less Research Point than this calculation comes up with, if there is a fraction
involved. For example, above it costs 8 Research Points but in reality it is 7.6. What this equates to is that during
any given turn, there is a 60% chance (the .6 fraction) that it will cost 8 Research Points and a 40% change (the
remaining .4 of a full point) that it will actually cost 7 Research Points instead. If in this case the player had spent
eight research points and the computer determined it only took seven, the unit attribute will increase by one and one
research point will be accumulated toward the next level increase.

[Joel Billings]

Section 9.6 (top of page 86 in the Ebook manual) describes the chance. Bascally depends on how many units you have on the map and in production as described.

[Pocus]

sorry both, and I even reread the section just before posting to be sure it was not in the manual. Must buy some glasses then!