In my short time here so far on CivFanatics, I seem to have noticed a propensity for people to be a little negative towards the Lancer. After some introspection, I find that I am as well.
However, I was thinking about how most people are crazy about Pikemen. They're convenient to get to in the tech tree (a military unit upgrade while you're focusing on growth), great against mounted units, and otherwise good in general. The downside might be that they upgrade to Lancers.
But I was thinking, aside from the horse requirement, Lancers are really just more powerful Pikemen that can move really fast. That should make them great. But they aren't, so what's the issue? Is Metallurgy such a downer as a tech, and that's why they're looked upon as they are? Is the horse requirement that inconvenient?
However, I was thinking about how most people are crazy about Pikemen. They're convenient to get to in the tech tree (a military unit upgrade while you're focusing on growth), great against mounted units, and otherwise good in general. The downside might be that they upgrade to Lancers.
But I was thinking, aside from the horse requirement, Lancers are really just more powerful Pikemen that can move really fast. That should make them great. But they aren't, so what's the issue? Is Metallurgy such a downer as a tech, and that's why they're looked upon as they are? Is the horse requirement that inconvenient?