I'd like to point you guys my thread on re-balancing the (mainly) Ancient Era units from before:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=524237
What I wrote didn't seem to get much attention at the time, but a number of units need to be reworked- especially once the Thorax Hoplite Unique Unit for the Athenian culture is introduced into the game (currently it only has a Civilopedia entry- as the Athenian culture is still WIP)
Of particular note:
- The "Thorax Hoplite" Athenian UU ought to have its base strength increased (from 5 to 6) to reflect the very heavy armor worn by Hoplites. This should be partially balanced with a -10% penalty vs. archer/throwing units (the heavy armor and somewhat rigid formations made them a bit slow-moving), though the net effect should still be to allow them to generally defeat Javelineers and Composite Bowmen on open terrain due to their extremely heavy armor (they were still capable of some very long and rapid charges despite their heavy armor- as evidenced by the Battle of Marathon).
Their combat bonus vs mounted units should be reduced (to +15%), but they should be given a bonus (+30%) vs. melee units- as the primary historical purpose of Hoplite forces was to crush enemy melee units, in a similar (but better-armored and slower-moving) manner to a Macedonaian Phalanx. Currently it just serves as a Spearman unit with an extra bonus vs. mounted units- which is extremely unrealistic (and poorly balanced), as Hoplites were if anything worse at fighting cavalry (relative to their level of armor and armament) than light spearmen.
In summary- the reworked "Thorax Hoplite" UU should serve a similar (slightly stronger) role to Axemen, but be slightly more capable of facing ranged units due to their extremely heavy armor (higher base strength), and mounted units due to their carrying spears. They can (and were) still be defeated by the reworked Phalanx unit (Macedonian Phalanxes defeated Hoplites mainly due to their much longer spears), mounted archers, Praetorians, and Horsemen (and similar units) when on the defensive in open terrain.
- The "Phalanx" unique unit (which from the description and name appears to represent a Macedonian Phalanx- a distinctly different fighting style than a Hoplite) needs to have its bonus vs. chariots expanded to also include the Early Chariot and Hittite Chariot units, which are new units from C2C (the Phalanx UU is from the original game).
The Phalanx UU should also have a bonus vs. the "Horsemen" and similar units (such as the "Zebra Rider")- as the intention of the balancing in the original game was clearly to make it an anti-melee unit that was still strong against all mounted units before Horse Archers, as they carried long, heavy pikes (phalanx spearpoints were VERY effective at keeping enemy cavalry at bay, and their excellent training meant they could easily turn to face cavalry trying to flank them if not facing a combined-arms force with infantry to pin them. But their light armor made them vulnerable to mounted archery).
Last but not least for the Phalanx UU, I suggested the Phalanx be given +60%, instead of +50%, vs. melee units (so they can defeat the reworked Thorax Hoplite, and Axemen), but a minor (-5%) penalty vs. both archers/throwing units, to reflect their slightly slow-moving formations making them more vulnerable to ranged units than other comparably armored infantry.
- The "Hittite Chariot" UU needs to either be moved to the same tech requirements as the "Early Chariot", or the same base strength as the "Chariot" (I suggest increasing the strength). Currently, it cannot be built until the same techs as the "Chariot", but is a slightly-improved UU-version of the Early Chariot.
- The "Spartan Warrior" UU should have its "Throwing" class removed (it is currently Melee/Throwing). Why is it even there? It's unrealistic (the Spartans fought as elite Hoplites, and were equipped with stabbing rather than throwing spears, and typically no javelins), and only serves to make the unit additionally vulnerable to units with a natural bonus vs. Throwing units, or the "Sidestep" promotion (which provides a bonus vs. Throwing units) *as well as* anything with a bonus against melee units.
Regards,
Northstar