Like most people I have just got the game, and finding one of the biggest difficulties is remembering which units to use against which units in the game during a war.

So instead of endlessly having to go through the guide/civillopedia I thought it might be useful if there was an easy visual aid to hand that split the units into the era they are from and pointed out what they should be used against, and what they should be used for. Hence I did such a visual aid you can print out.

All my attempts at pasting the text directly into this box failed to produce something readable. Hence I have attached my guide to this post. I would be grateful if someone more tech savy than me could turn the attached file into a straightforward post, but until then you'll have to do with the attached file.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=103240&stc=1&d=1131575100

This is a VERY valuable document. With a little bit of development, it could become THE document.

It's very important to know the combat relations.

Just as a tip -- cavalry is strong against both muskets and grenadiers.

And it's important to note that the line between categories of units is often blurred. For example, you can see knights running around with muskets. And upgraded knights actually perform quite well against muskets. I'm not sure how you could include those blurry lines between ages in a clean way, but there it is.

Would you publish it in a slightly less evil format please? Even RTF would be OK, but a PDF would be nice.

Well I'm at work at the moment so can't really do anything, and busy over the next few days as well. If someone else wants to play around with the document then by all means do so (eg:adding dh_epic's tip). Ideally someone could get the contents posted on here in a readable manner so people don't have to download a file (thats a hint). ;)

I also have it as an Excel file, I'll upload that later.

I'm not saying I agree with everything in the document, but I do have the ability to make .pdfs, so everyone can read this. The document has some good and some bad points. I think a fuller document would be better, but maybe more confusing.

Anyway, for all who want, here's the same thing (slightly prettified with capital letters and some bolds) in a universally readable file format.

HTH,
Arathorn

Thanks! :)

great guide thanks.
adding required tech for each unit would be useful
adding actual bonus in the use against column also would be useful
(i.e for spearmen put in the use against column "Mounted (+100%)")

Thanks for the work! :) That will become really useful!

very usefull Drugged_Unholy
Thanks.
LeSphinx

Good document. I would like to see hammer costs added to it, though. Hammer cost can make a big difference in my decision on how many of each unit to build.

this is gunna save me really thnx alot


die all hehe i will kill u bismarck

When you attack a stack, how does the computer choose which unit defends from the stack?

Say there's an archer/axeman/spearman stack, and I attack with a horse archer.

Will it automatically be the spearman that defends first?

What if I was attacking with two horse archers? Would the first horse archer face the spearman, and then the next one face the next unit most likely to win the combat?


That's really the only thing I'm unsure of in the combat system.

When you attack a stack, how does the computer choose which unit defends from the stack?

Say there's an archer/axeman/spearman stack, and I attack with a horse archer.

Will it automatically be the spearman that defends first?

What if I was attacking with two horse archers? Would the first horse archer face the spearman, and then the next one face the next unit most likely to win the combat?


That's really the only thing I'm unsure of in the combat system.

You've basically hit the nail on the head. Whichever unit in the stack with the highest victory percentage will be the defender.

So using your example lets say you attack with two horse archers. We'll assume the first horse archer dies by the spear, and then you attack again. Even if the spearman has taken some damage from the first attack, but still has a better chance to win the fight compared to the axe and archer, then he will be chosen again as the defender.

Cheers man for a useful document. Just one thing, you shouldn't use axemen against chariots.

Why not?

Chariots in warlords only get their 100% bonus against axemen IF they attack, the same is true of the grenadier vs the rifleman as that too is an attack bonus.

Yeah sorry, very drunk at the time. should remember not to post when i am. should of been you should use chariots to attack axemen. not just for pillaging.

Why not?

Chariots in warlords only get their 100% bonus against axemen IF they attack, the same is true of the grenadier vs the rifleman as that too is an attack bonus.

Who is this non-idiotic civ player? :lol:

Thanks very much!

I never think to build SAM infantry, and keep wondering why my entire civilization can be mopped up in a handful of turns by a swarm of gunships.

Now, I'm unstoppable. [Generic evil laughter]

Good document. I would like to see hammer costs added to it, though. Hammer cost can make a big difference in my decision on how many of each unit to build.

Very good point. Hammer cost is decisive in whether one unit is better suited for the task than another.

Any plans to update this with the new units that were introduced in Warlords and BTS?

Cheers!

Why not?

Chariots in warlords only get their 100% bonus against axemen IF they attack, the same is true of the grenadier vs the rifleman as that too is an attack bonus.

This thread might be dead, but: how do you know this? I didn't see this in the Civilopedia but I guess that explains why my Chariots always get killed by axemen. I never heard about this "attack only" bonus before... if it says 100% vs. axemen wouldn't anyone assume it means in any type of combat? I was quite surprised to see this post and learn something new, but I'm really curious where this information comes from.

I don't know if that info is in the civ-pedia but if you hover over the unit icon in the tech tree, that information is there. Also, if you have a grenadier selected, if you hover the mouse over the grenadiers stats in the lower left of the HUD, you'll see that information as well.

I think mounted units bonuses vs. siege is also attack only.