Hi,
any idea what the lowest possible number of research points for manually created NPRs should be to prevent them from completely gimping themself (start with some engines and geo sensors at least)?
I want to start as conventional and do not want the other powers on Earth to be too far ahead, but they should still be able to build some viable explorers. Will the NPRs actually place a higher priority on geo sensors and engines or do I have to factor in that they will buy a couple of "useless" techs?
If you give them around 200-500k RPs there will be a good chance for them to research at least one tier of engines.
Unfortunately, there is no way to influence the priority of research to NPRs. There is always a possibility that they will direct all their RPs to something "useless", like sensors, missiles or logistics, and leave themselves with Nuclear Thermal engines.
And IIRC geo sensors are given to any starting TN empire.