Toxic worlds research in the early game
Today I played on a tiny map against the Iconians on challenging. Though I don't recall exactly I think I went straight for Universal Translator. Within the first 20 turns (estimated) I opened the "Speak to" window with them, and they already had the first tier of Toxic Worlds and I think Aquatic Worlds. Their half of the map had 3 such worlds in one sector alone. Did the game cheat to give them the tech they needed, is it cheap for them, or is it cheaper than I think?