Research Ahead of Time

I notice that you can build up some research time before picking a tech.

However, each day tick also reduces how much time penalty (50% extra cost if the tech is still 6 months away as an example).

So I was wondering is it best to stack research bonus from the electronic tree and wait until that year to start work on tech? Or just start work on it and ignore the penalty?

There are some tech that can be a "huge game-changer" like infantry equipment 2 that makes it worthwhile to ignore penalty a bit. However, there are some tech that you may want to rush but comes with a huge penalty like nuclear tech in the 1940s.

Basically what is the best way to min-max research speed?

Basically what is the best way to min-max research speed?

• Never research with the ahead of time penalty.
• Change trade law to Free Trade(−10% research time).

• Prioritize research of the Engineering technology tree:

  1. 1936 - Electronic Mechanical Engineering (-2% research time)
  2. 1936 - Mechanical Computing (-3% research time)
  3. 1938 - Computing Machine (-3% research time)
  4. 1940 - Improved Computing Machine (-5% research time)
  5. 1940 - Atomic Research (-2% research time)
  6. 1942 - Advanced Computing Machine (-5% research time)

• Pick designers, concerns and theorists giving bonus for what you are researching now (or about to begin).

• Pick National Focus giving research bonus or increasing research slots.
• License military technology for units that you wish to research (with Death or Dishonor on).
• Boost the research of doctrines and some Naval techs using Army XP / Air XP / Navy XP.
• If your country is part of a technology sharing group (with Together for Victory on) pick technologies researched by other nations.
• Pick the Technology Sharing focus (with Together for Victory on) if no other focus can help with research.

Or just start work on it and ignore the penalty?

You ignore the penalty for things that take a long time to develop or you need them when the war starts:

• Atomic bomb.
• Naval technology research tree (capital ships take a long time to build with Man the Guns on).