You treat research as if it were money, forgetting that money is money. The believers have the wonderful ability to expand and colonize very quickly... Therefore, much more money is to be had.
And when it all comes down to the final race to transcend, all of your research bonuses mean nothing when with money I can complete all projects in a turn. When the mindworms come for your ecologically wrecked cities, take comfort in at least knowing the Believers will survive.
So long as I play my cards right, I can start to treat my research like money, all I need is my cities to be in the right place, once all of it is in place, I can establish agreements with my neighbors, un-do what little damage you could ever inflict before I mobilize, watch as my allies march onto your land with their new shiny units that I proudly supplied them with, while you retreat your your enclave with your low-tech weapons, and as for your population, assuming the Chairmen isn't present, then they might do some damage, not enough to stop me, and in the end, when your cities are burning, your people are dying, I'll find you, hunt you down, stuff you into the punishment sphere, as commit to some...Research
Stuff the entirety Data links into your mind. Wheres your God now?...For the good of all of us of course.
A lot of assumptions there my tech-obsessed friend.
1. That your cities are fortunate enough to be in the right place.
2. That anyone will ally with you.
3. That said allies aren't already allied with the believers.
4. That said allies will be willing to attack the believers while you quietly power base away.
5. That your troops supplied to your allies are not committed with fighting planet or other factions.
6. That your troops supplied to your allies are not used against you, while their technology is cannibalized to produce a faction with your technology and no downsides [and then your tech will be traded to the believers].
7. That your drones do not wisely dissent.
8. That Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang does not exist.
9. That the believers aren't coming for you already.
What believers need to win:
1. Colonists.
Missiles and foil transports are all it takes to turn your cities into our cities. It's a wonderful process really. When we capture you there will be no inhumane hunting or punishment spheres. Only poetic justice, staring down the barrel of an anti-matter cannon [how's that for low-tech?!].
In a direct combat situation there is just no way Zhakarov can win without resorting to hiding behind allies. At a tech disparity, the believers will win with higher manufacturing capabilities due to many of their soldiers costing no upkeep at all. At a tech equality, the believers will win with superior offensive capability [so sitting back and allowing damage to be done cannot be undone]. At a tech inferiority... Believers have already won.
BELIEVE 2210 BELIEVE 2210 BELIEVE 2210
Got this a few days back.
It's Rather fun. Became most powerful faction, spartans declare war. Cue curbstomp battle.
Spartans curbstomp you or other way around?