At the end of the game, when you check the histograph, there's stars and swords at certain time periods, but I've yet to decipher what they represent. Even the Ai's usually get a star or two If I don't wipe them out right away... Started to notice this on Emp, and diety.

I've been wondering this myself. I used to think it was when I went to war, but that doesn't make sense.

I think the sword means you declare a war and the star....it could be when you build a wonder.

I think the sword means you declare a war and the star....it could be when you build a wonder.

Nope, spam'ed wonders in my last game, stars a no go. Kept track of DOW's and doesn't match, (though could still be DOW's from the AI, gonna check that next), not city celebrations, or captures either.

I've wondered this too. Two weird things:
- I either get a bunch of swords or a bunch of stars, never a mix (also, "a bunch" is usually around 8)
- They always appear around the same time period and somewhat close together - they def don't span across different eras or anything

I've wondered this too. Two weird things:
- I either get a bunch of swords or a bunch of stars, never a mix (also, "a bunch" is usually around 8)
- They always appear around the same time period and somewhat close together - they def don't span across different eras or anything
Maybe it depends on game style, I've gotten 2swords with 1star in the same line, one game I've had 3stars spread out, no distinct pattern.
One thing I do know, when I first started playing, I never saw any, got better, noticed them. Now I seem to get even more, obviously its tied to skill in some way... It's diving me nuts. Even the Ai's get them.

Maybe it is related to government change?

Maybe it is related to government change?
That's what I thought once, but it doesn't add, or line up. The closest I can figure is, stars are based on a city requirement,(there is a star flag in capital cities) but capturing one of these cities doesn't give you a star. Possible a sword, but it still doesn't match up to the time line.
One thought, swords and stars don't match the time line accurately, which would explain a lot.
Instead, it marks it at the end of "periods", you would gain a star for capitals, and a sword for city captures. This would account for why many symbols line up at certain points and the numbers of swords and stars. Just a theory so far, still working on it. Please, check out your histographs, someone will figure it out.

I don't think it is related to capturing cities either. I normally get just one sword or one sword and one star. This is also true if I go for a domination victory. I always get them at the very beginning of the time line. You would think what the symbols meant would be more obvious... :\

Maybe the stars indicate when you reached the Medieval age/Industrial Age/Modern Age?

Maybe the stars indicate when you reached the Medieval age/Industrial Age/Modern Age?
This is starting to make sense, here's the Theory thus far.
At the end of each period, a tally is made of how many capitals(stars) and how many captured cities(swords). This would explain why the time line of the events never matches up to captures,why so many are in a row, why some civs have them and some don't.It marks this on the period endings in the graph. (the numbers still don't add up, I gotta break down and get a pen, and write as I play) So another thing to try and keep track of periods...
On another note, straying from topic. I posted this same question on the 2KForum boards, thinking...You know, someone might give an answer. Hehe... Silly me.

To correct one thing I mentioned earlier, I did get a game yesterday where I had a couple stars mixed in with mostly swords.

However, one of the stars was located next to my civ at 4000 BC (first turn of the game). I was using the Greeks this game (government "change" to democracy?) and did nothing out of the ordinary my first few turns - built a couple warriors, went out and explored, etc.

When you guys figure this out, please post it here. I've been wondering...

I had happened to ask my room mate this before I read it here. He said he thought the swords were tough battles. Since we were only playing on warlord at the time it seemed to make sense. All the swords were only at the beginning of the time line. After that the AI was out teched so the battles were quite lopsided. No real clue on the stars.

I wish they provided more statistics at the end of the game.

I wish they provided more statistics at the end of the game.
I am with you on that. Also, that that like minimap replay they had in civ4 and 3 where it showed you where the cities were and tell you ever major thing that happened and in what year.

I wish there were more end game stats, too--as well as a running record like the Hall of Fame on the computer Civs.

But, getting to the original question, my hypothesis is that the symbols relate to when the various artifacts are found.

the ds version has the replay feature (as in the pc games) - wonder why they never put it in the console versions.

the ds version has the replay feature (as in the pc games) - wonder why they never put it in the console versions.

Hehe, I wonder lots of things. Still no response from 2k on this Histograph. I'm starting to think the damn thing is just random, or doesn't function(would explain everything). I know what it's not; wonders, ages, or Gp's,
I think the star maybe, a city of a population more then 4, and swords captures of the same.

Could be the swords means Amies, and stars great persons???

Nah because I'd have way more swords and stars then. I think the swords represent significant battles.

I've studied it, as well, and have come up with nothing. I'm a bit surprised that Fireaxis hasn't clarified what these symbols mean. This game seems rushed.

dont know what the sword is, but the star is probley goldon age

dont know what the sword is, but the star is probley goldon age

Is there Golden Age in this game???

I have not gotten any so far...

dont know what the sword is, but the star is probley goldon age

oh wait i think the sword is when you destroy a nation or capture its capital city

There's no golden ages.

oh wait i think the sword is when you destroy a nation or capture its capital city

Nah. My game last night had all the swords near the beginning, and there were a lot of them, when in fact I didn't capture any capitals/destroy any civs until the late game.

Nah. My game last night had all the swords near the beginning, and there were a lot of them, when in fact I didn't capture any capitals/destroy any civs until the late game.
A game I just had had four stars red, and one green, all in the same line of time. I did have four cities, but another color is new (noticed it on some swords earlier though). The lack of an answer from 2k on this subject convinces be that this aspect of the game is entirely broken.

The lack of an answer from 2k on this subject convinces be that this aspect of the game is entirely broken.

Yeah - the fact that they all appear concentrated in one particular era even though any conceivable event that they represent would be taking place over the course of the entire game makes it pretty likely that it just doesn't work right and they didn't bother fixing it before release.

It is a bit annoying that we still don't know/can't figure out what these symbols mean.

It seems like somebody with the developer could shed some light on the subject.

I'm gonna add in my frustration with the histograph, as well as the lack of statistics post-game. I mean, why have a tab titled "Final Score" only to show you that you came in first? Why not just say "rank" instead of "score"?

I'm gonna add in my frustration with the histograph, as well as the lack of statistics post-game. I mean, why have a tab titled "Final Score" only to show you that you came in first? Why not just say "rank" instead of "score"?

Because Rank applies to the other thing where they compare you to Macchiavelli and Churchill...?

I agree with everyone here. The histograph is crap.
This game is in desperate need of a stat page like in a sports game.
How neat would it be to see how many battles you won and lost over the course of a game?
How many wonders, great people, etc....
The list goes on and on. It would really add to the trash talk and competitiveness of the game.

I agree with everyone here. The histograph is crap.
This game is in desperate need of a stat page like in a sports game.
How neat would it be to see how many battles you won and lost over the course of a game?
How many wonders, great people, etc....
The list goes on and on. It would really add to the trash talk and competitiveness of the game.

That's probably my biggest grudge against most Civ games. Civ 4 had it and I thought that was awesome, but I didn't like Civ 4. Civ 3 had some, but not in depth.

I love history and statistics, Civ has the history now I just want tons and tons of statistics. How many units I destroyed and of what type, how many wars I was in and duration and cost. Things like that.

Maybe stars are when your city takes lead. No clue about the sword.

just had a thought, what if the swords are barbarian villages and the stars are friendly ones.

Inky I was just about to say the same thing, it would make sense because you always clear out barbs and villages at the beginning.:lol:

Inky I was just about to say the same thing, it would make sense because you always clear out barbs and villages at the beginning.:lol:

No, they cant be. I only get about 1/2 swords/stars in a game, even when i destroy or visit about 5 friendly/hostile barbarian villages. I think the sword means that you capture a capital.

Does anyone else find it rather pathetic that this very simple question has not been answered three weeks after it was put on this board?

Hehe, I do. I stopped visiting the 2K site altogether where I posted and pm'd the same question(got told it'd get looked into). I guess they have a networking problem in general, at all levels. Since the 2K Kronies can't or won't, I'll attempt to answer this "secret" and "mystical" question. It may be inaccurate, and I may have to kill you once you know it's secret.:lol:

The histrogram represents your Civ's power from the beginning of time, to your eventual victory, or demise.
This power/score is derived by a Civ's, culture, population, land mass, tech level, and dash of oregano.
The symbols in the graph; Swords=barb villages conquered. Stars= Cities of Status. Cities of status are usually capitals, have more then a population of four, and have a star flag waving in the breeze above them in game.
As you progressed though the game, gaining power, the shaded area will increase in the graph, or decrease do to unpleasant events such as, you know... losing.
When a Civ is losing ground, their shaded area diminishes, and eventually ends when the Civ is gone.
Strong and consistent players will see a steady angle of growth.
Great come backs from disasters look like a parabola. And short, small, diminishing graphs mean your looking at this graph all to soon... Drop down a level or stop gambling on early rushes:lol:

Well there yeah go, the un-offical answer.. It maybe wrong, but at least a reply.

You're aware that the "star flags" are due to David or Agamemnon settled in the city?

Yup! I'm aware that is states as such per the fine manual my game came with.
But... Just watch yer first city grow. Around a pop of four maybe more, you'll see this wonderful flag in the city, or in the Ai's.
And I did say, it'd be inaccurate. Till a 2K Kronie comes to the rescue with an "official" answer, humor me.:crazyeye:

Swors arent for barbs. I kept a village 'till late in the game and destroyed it. No record on the graph!

Could it be a star when you meet a new civilization for the first time in the game. I hadn´t met India in any SP game until yesterday and I had a start at the beginning of the game in the histograph. I usually don´t get stars anymore but this time I did. I have never met Japan in a SP game so I will keep an eye on this until I meet him to see if my hypothesis holds true.

Regarding the swords, I have no clue.

I'm beginning to think the Swords and Stars are just completely random and have no meaning what-so-ever.

I'm beginning to think the Swords and Stars are just completely random and have no meaning what-so-ever.

I have never known a Sid Meier game to have anything with no meaning whatsoever. It might be a rank thing. Like the bars and stars on a military uniform. I can't see it being that simple tho....

I have never known a Sid Meier game to have anything with no meaning whatsoever. It might be a rank thing. Like the bars and stars on a military uniform. I can't see it being that simple tho....

Me neither, but after hundreds of guesses people have made, nothing seems to fit, so I don't know what else it could be.

I'm beginning to think the Swords and Stars are just completely random and have no meaning what-so-ever.

No doubt. I'm beginning to think that the developers don't have a clue what they mean, either. The game has only been out a month and they still can't answer this very basic question. I am very disappointed in their inability to tell us players what is up.

I think it's most likely something that has meaning but is broken and never got fixed before release. For example, every sword is a battle, except that the game sucks at keeping track of them so it only displays like 5 out of the 200 battles you fight every game.

Yup, that's my summation too. I've tried every way I know how to get an answer. The only response thus far is it's too complicated to explain right now, we'll get back to you

Yup, that's my summation too. I've tried every way I know how to get an answer. The only response thus far is it's too complicated to explain right now, we'll get back to you


*rofl* This is the way!

Yup, that's my summation too. I've tried every way I know how to get an answer. The only response thus far is it's too complicated to explain right now, we'll get back to you They are probably reading this forum hoping the fans figure out what these stars and swords mean.

They are probably reading this forum hoping the fans figure out what these stars and swords mean.

HAHAHAHA :lol:

It is possible the symbols do not represent a single occurrence of an event, but multiple occurrences of an event. Maybe they represent 5 or even 10 occurrences per symbol? Lots of graphs do this.

believe the star symbols represent culturally flipped cities and the swords represent conquered cities. However I do not think the symbols are related to particular dates. This seems to be supported by the fact that they are always at the beggining. Next time you conquer cities, count how many. Next time you flip cities, count how many. The time line of each just seems to be a underline for the accumulating icons. Since the line is crooked the are forced to follow it. As far as the uneven spacing. I think that has to do with icons being unable to cross over into other civilizations shaded areas. And maybe it's just coincidence, but it seems that stars must be unable to be represented behind the names of the great leaders, but the swords can (programming?).

Have you also noticed that the histograph timeline is very unclear?

Example:

4000 bc 600 ad 1500 ad 2000 ad

I would be happy if it would be:

4000 BC 3000 BC 2000 BC etc.

Also,the histograph only measures military might(i think) it could also show culture,science and gold(so that you could see them seperately).Also some kind of a theatre quick replay mode would be cool.

Hope this was not too confusing ;)

The timeline probably goes by turns

4000 BC ->0AD =40 turns
0AD->1000 AD = 20 turns
1000 AD->1500 AD=20 turns

Seems i was wrong, however i strongly believe that each icon represents a series of first. I tried a couple of games where i allowed the cpu to capture my city early in the game, but before they did i tried to do several things first.

One thing i always received a stare on the exact date if i was first to masonry and therefore, first to build a wall (structure). I did this several times. I also recieved a tar when I was first to settle a city around on the exact time i did it with the chinese.

The sword icons are alittle tricky, but I think one may be first to capture barb hut and first to recieve upgrade or win three battles.

Try it out some "firsts" in your games and post.

I got two stars at the very start once. Has anyone gotten swords or stars late in the game coz i never do!

Stars must have something to do with improvements sees as greeks start with CH and a star

Stars must have something to do with improvements sees as greeks start with CH and a star

Perhaps improvements just in your capital. Otherwise I would see a million of these things near the end of the graph.

I restate what I wrote above, regarding the star. This is for me the reason why most stars appear early in the game. However, it would prove that we can only get 16 stars in total because once we have met all opponents in SP the stars are "out". Is this the case?

Could it be a star when you meet a new civilization for the first time in the game. I hadn´t met India in any SP game until yesterday and I had a start at the beginning of the game in the histograph. I usually don´t get stars anymore but this time I did. I have never met Japan in a SP game so I will keep an eye on this until I meet him to see if my hypothesis holds true.

Regarding the swords, I have no clue.

Doubt it... met them all, and still get a mix. Tomorrow there will be some sort of update info on the 2K site. Maybe, after a couple of months a hounding, this will finally get answered.
Till then, let's see what happens.

Tomorrow there will be some sort of update info on the 2K site. Maybe, after a couple of months a hounding, this will finally get answered.
Till then, let's see what happens.

Funny that nobody knows the answer for this.......Really funny :lol:
Anyone?

All i know is that the sword must have something to do with military(maybe a Great General?),
and the star...... a wonder? A Great Person or what?

From 2K Elizabeth at the 2K site.

"Currently, the histograph shows the first 7 historical events in your Civilization, which could be military or domestic (winning a city or spawning a Great Person.) As many of you have been confused by these markings, in patch 1.30 we’ll be taking them out and leaving only the graph which represents each Civilization’s “score” throughout the game, which is derived on a number of factors including how many cities you have, how many settlers you produce, your attack and defensive power, and many other markers that indicate how strong and prosperous your Civilization is in relation to your opponents."

Well, months and months later we finally have an answer. I think you'd be pretty dimwitted not to realize this answer doesn't match what is displayed, time line wise. Further evidence that the game was rushed(no legend), and released with known errors(time line). They dropped the ball, and keep fumbling the pick up.