Technology Tree SMAC

There are four tracks that comprise the SMAC technology tree in Firaxis' TBS Game of 1999, Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri (SMAC). All things considered, the overall best techs in SMAC are Centauri Ecology, Industrial Automation and Doctrine Flexibility.

Each tech-track is comprised of a series of technologies to be incrementally researched or otherwise acquired, and each technology is assigned a level, aka rank or tier, which facilitates comparisons during tech-trades. Most techs have prerequisites and also lead to other techs; that is, the tech is unlocked for research and then unlocks the research of new techs once it has been researched. In addition, researched techs unlock new base facilities, unit special abilities, weapons and armor for units as well as miscellaneous other, such as Society Models (politics, values and economics).

Blind Research is set to On by default. With Blind Research unchecked in Custom Game Rules, players can select the specific tech to research (a research goal), which makes the game much easier.

Due to research randomization and the fact that tech-progression weaves through muliple techs, choosing Conquer (for example) as Research Priority does not mean Conquer tech will be focused on like a laser-beam to the exclusion of other techs. What choosing Conquer as priority actually does is increase the chances of unlocking Conquer-techs for research.

In addition to manual research, tech can be acquired through Alien Artifacts, Diplomacy, Unity Pod data cubes, Probe Teams and annexation of rival faction bases, aka conquest.

For example, I once unlocked six techs from six data cubes early in a campaign. And in another campaign, trades between one SMAC faction yielded five techs in a single turn.

Build Technology

Advanced Ecological Engineering 7
Bio-Engineering 5
Biomachinery 7
Cyberethics 4
Environmental Economics 5
Gene Splicing 3
Industrial Automation 3
Industrial Base 1
Industrial Economics 2
Industrial Nanorobotics 9
Matter Editation 12
Matter Transmission 13
Monopole Magnets 6
Nanominiaturization 8
Planetary Economics 6
Probability Mechanics 7
Quantum Machinery 12
Silksteel Alloys 4
Social Psych 1
Super Tensile Solids 10
Temporal Mechanics 14

Conquer Technology

Advanced Military Algorithms
Applied Physics
Controlled Singularity
Doctrine Loyalty
High Energy Chemistry
Matter Compression
Mind Machine Interface
Neural Grafting
Nonlinear Mathematics
Organic Superlubricant
Photon Wave Mechanics
Retroviral Engineering
Superconductor
Superstring Theory
Unified Field Theory

Discover Technology

Advanced Spaceflight 8
Advanced Subatomic Theory 3
Applied Relativity 5
Biogenetics 1
Digital Sentience 10
Frictionless Surfaces 10
Fusion Power 6
Information Networks 1
Optical Computers 3
Orbital Spaceflight 6
Planetary Networks 2
Polymorphic Software 2
Pre-Sentient Algorithms 5
Quantum Power 11
Secrets of Alpha Centauri 12
Secrets of Creation 10
Secrets of the Human Brain 2
Self-Aware Machines 11
Singularity Mechanics 12
Transcendent Thought 16

Explore Technology

Applied Gravitonics 14
Centauri Ecology 1
Centauri Empathy 3
Centauri Genetics 7
Centauri Meditation 5
Centauri Psi 8
Doctrine Air Power 5
Doctrine Flexibility 2
Doctrine Initiative 4
Doctrine Mobility 1
Ecological Engineering 4
Ethical Calculus 2
Eudaimonia 12
Graviton Theory 13
Homo Superior 8
Intellectual Integrity 3
Nanometallurgy 8
Sentient Econometrics 11
Synthetic Fossil Fuels 4
The Will to Power 9
Threshold of Transcendence 15

Back to: Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Guide.

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