Do starting NPRs use the research points given at the start?

[seinwave (OP)]

I prefer to play with a TN start but without using the SM "instant" function to use the RP given to me at the start. However, if NPRs use theirs, I don't want to be disadvantaged. So, do either starting NPRs or generated NPRs use their RP when created?

[welchbloke]

As far as I'm aware, yes they do use the starting RP.

[seinwave (OP)]

Well, that explains my severe lack of success in military engagements so far.

[Caesar]

Have you tried setting starting research points to zero?

Besides- It might be fun fighting a much more advanced alien race!

[EarthquakeDamage]

I think the initial RP, population, and other values only apply to the player.  The NPRs are probably generated the way they usually are, with a random population based on (but not necessarily equal to) the player's.  Their RP should be the default for that size population, normal (100%) industry, and their government type.  Their population, and thus RP, should also be scaled by difficulty.

NPRs generated later in the game supposedly get X years' worth of additional RP, where X is the time since the game started (initial year not relevant, so change that 2025 at whim).  IIRC this has been confirmed by Steve.  I'm not so sure about the initial NPRs.

[vladimir]

So does that mean as the game get along in years, the NPRs you encounter will generally be higher tech than the player?. . .  If I've spent 100 years researching, in that time I will have devoted a huge amount of research to racial tech at each level that the NPR will simply skip in initial research spending.

[EarthquakeDamage]

Racial tech costs very little compared to the later base tech.

Also, players tend to research far more than NPRs, with more labs and such.  So no, I wouldn't expect them to outpace you.  They'll probably stay somewhat competitive, though.  More so if you increase the difficulty.