is it entirely random what you get from a ruin?

madeirabhoy · Apr 20, 2014

just wondering.

I'm playing terra, and after battering attila down to the last city, I'm sitting nicely but to an extent rudderlesly, not sure what type of victory to go for. its 1600 and I'm well ahead of the other divs, my core is 976, the next is darius on 501 and the rest are 200 to 300.

i figure its too late to bother settling in the new world, but I've got a big army thats no longer got an enemy to kill, so I've sent them all sailing over to the new world. i figure with all the ruins to get, plus the 90 gold for every barbarian camp its better than having them doing press ups until i next go to war.

i assumed the ruins would be random, but i must have found at least 10 of them, and out of that, 2 have given advanced weapons, and the other 8 have given crudely drawn maps which is obviously as useful as a chocolate fire guard.

is this random, or are you less likely to get techs if you are ahead of the other nations?

BigChiefLizzy · Apr 20, 2014

I don't think you can get techs more advanced than classical era ones from ruins, maybe medieval? I think the cut off point is around about astronomy; which I assume you have as you sailed over there.

Still unlucky to get all those maps though, I would have expected a bit more variety (more gold, culture, faith etc..)

Monthar · Apr 20, 2014

Free techs from the good huts, aka ruins, are only up to the same column writing, bronze working and the wheel are in. You'll never get any techs later than those.

GoStu · Apr 20, 2014

It's random with a few rules. Faith ruins can't appear before a fixed turn number depending on game speed (20 on standard I think). Free techs can't be higher than ancient era. A single unit can't get two upgrade huts.

There might be a point where faith ruins stop appearing too. Other than that though, I think you just got screwed with a lot of maps.

ravenmagus · Apr 20, 2014

GoStu said:
There might be a point where faith ruins stop appearing too.

Faith ruins never stop appearing. Once you get a Pantheon though a Faith ruin will provide a lot more Faith.

You should not be able to get a bunch of crudely drawn maps in a row - a ruin cannot repeat its bonus until you've gotten two other ruins. That being said you can also find traces of nearby barbarian encampments as a ruins bonus, which is a separate bonus nearly as useless as the maps.

tat501 · Apr 20, 2014

ravenmagus said:
Faith ruins never stop appearing. Once you get a Pantheon though a Faith ruin will provide a lot more Faith.

You should not be able to get a bunch of crudely drawn maps in a row - a ruin cannot repeat its bonus until you've gotten two other ruins. That being said you can also find traces of nearby barbarian encampments as a ruins bonus, which is a separate bonus nearly as useless as the maps.

Especially when you already know where the barbarian encampment is...

Buccaneer · Apr 20, 2014

+20 faith ruins do become +60 prophet-related faith ruins.

George Abitbol · Apr 22, 2014

Monthar said:
Free techs from the good huts, aka ruins, are only up to the same column writing, bronze working and the wheel are in. You'll never get any techs later than those.

I had knights turned into Cavalry by popping a ruin on a terra map. I don't think there is a limit.

Heretiv · Apr 22, 2014

It is tempting to try to preserve some island ruins into later eras just to experiment with this.

Memoryjar · Apr 22, 2014

There not totally random.
In a challenge to build GL as faster as possible, I reload again and again the same start. I noted that depending of your building work and the turn when you pick the ruin you have a certain bonus.

For example : first ruin were archery, second gold, third one pop, fourth faith. If I replay same building (a monument) and pick the ruin the same turn, I was able to have this bonus each restart.
If I change a monument for a worker, archery became gold, gold, upgrade, pop surrounding era.

I'm not able to understand how ruins work, but I'm pretty sure there are not entirely random.

Loucypher · Apr 22, 2014

George Abitbol said:
I had knights turned into Cavalry by popping a ruin on a terra map. I don't think there is a limit.

That's a Unit Upgrade hut, which is different from a Free Tech hut.

Monthar · Apr 22, 2014

George Abitbol said:
I had knights turned into Cavalry by popping a ruin on a terra map. I don't think there is a limit.

I checked the tech tree xml file before answering. In case anyone else has any doubts here are the only techs you can get from ruins, aka goody huts. You can tell by the <GoodyTech>true</GoodyTech> tag on these techs.

Code:

	<Technologies>
		<Row>
			<ID>0</ID>
			<Type>TECH_AGRICULTURE</Type>
			<Cost>20</Cost>
			<Description>TXT_KEY_TECH_AGRICULTURE_TITLE</Description>
			<Civilopedia>TXT_KEY_TECH_AGRICULTURE_DESC</Civilopedia>
			<Help>TXT_KEY_TECH_AGRICULTURE_HELP</Help>
			<Era>ERA_ANCIENT</Era>
			<Trade>true</Trade>
			<GoodyTech>true</GoodyTech>
			<GridX>0</GridX>
			<GridY>5</GridY>
			<Quote>TXT_KEY_TECH_AGRICULTURE_QUOTE</Quote>
			<PortraitIndex>0</PortraitIndex>
			<IconAtlas>TECH_ATLAS_1</IconAtlas>
			<AudioIntro>AS2D_TECH_AGRICULTURE</AudioIntro>
			<AudioIntroHeader>AS2D_HEADING_TECH_AGRICULTURE</AudioIntroHeader>
		</Row>
		<Row>
			<Type>TECH_POTTERY</Type>
			<Cost>35</Cost>
			<Description>TXT_KEY_TECH_POTTERY_TITLE</Description>
			<Civilopedia>TXT_KEY_TECH_POTTERY_DESC</Civilopedia>
			<Help>TXT_KEY_TECH_POTTERY_HELP</Help>
			<Era>ERA_ANCIENT</Era>
			<Trade>true</Trade>
			<GoodyTech>true</GoodyTech>
			<GridX>1</GridX>
			<GridY>1</GridY>
			<Quote>TXT_KEY_TECH_POTTERY_QUOTE</Quote>
			<PortraitIndex>4</PortraitIndex>
			<IconAtlas>TECH_ATLAS_1</IconAtlas>
			<AudioIntro>AS2D_TECH_POTTERY</AudioIntro>
			<AudioIntroHeader>AS2D_HEADING_TECH_POTTERY</AudioIntroHeader>
		</Row>
		<Row>
			<Type>TECH_ANIMAL_HUSBANDRY</Type>
			<Cost>35</Cost>
			<Description>TXT_KEY_TECH_ANIMAL_HUSBANDRY_TITLE</Description>
			<Civilopedia>TXT_KEY_TECH_ANIMAL_HUSBANDRY_DESC</Civilopedia>
			<Help>TXT_KEY_TECH_ANIMAL_HUSBANDRY_HELP</Help>
			<Era>ERA_ANCIENT</Era>
			<InternationalTradeRoutesChange>1</InternationalTradeRoutesChange>
			<Trade>true</Trade>
			<GoodyTech>true</GoodyTech>
			<GridX>1</GridX>
			<GridY>4</GridY>
			<Quote>TXT_KEY_TECH_ANIMAL_HUSBANDRY_QUOTE</Quote>
			<PortraitIndex>2</PortraitIndex>
			<IconAtlas>TECH_ATLAS_1</IconAtlas>
			<AudioIntro>AS2D_TECH_ANIMAL_HUSBANDRY</AudioIntro>
			<AudioIntroHeader>AS2D_HEADING_TECH_ANIMAL_HUSBANDRY</AudioIntroHeader>
		</Row>
		<Row>
			<Type>TECH_ARCHERY</Type>
			<Cost>35</Cost>
			<Description>TXT_KEY_TECH_ARCHERY_TITLE</Description>
			<Civilopedia>TXT_KEY_TECH_ARCHERY_DESC</Civilopedia>
			<Help>TXT_KEY_TECH_ARCHERY_HELP</Help>
			<Era>ERA_ANCIENT</Era>
			<Trade>true</Trade>
			<GoodyTech>true</GoodyTech>
			<GridX>1</GridX>
			<GridY>6</GridY>
			<Quote>TXT_KEY_TECH_ARCHERY_QUOTE</Quote>
			<PortraitIndex>7</PortraitIndex>
			<IconAtlas>TECH_ATLAS_1</IconAtlas>
			<AudioIntro>AS2D_TECH_ARCHERY</AudioIntro>
			<AudioIntroHeader>AS2D_HEADING_TECH_ARCHERY</AudioIntroHeader>
		</Row>
		<Row>
			<Type>TECH_MINING</Type>
			<Cost>35</Cost>
			<Description>TXT_KEY_TECH_MINING_TITLE</Description>
			<Civilopedia>TXT_KEY_TECH_MINING_DESC</Civilopedia>
			<Help>TXT_KEY_TECH_MINING_HELP</Help>
			<Era>ERA_ANCIENT</Era>
			<Trade>true</Trade>
			<GoodyTech>true</GoodyTech>
			<GridX>1</GridX>
			<GridY>8</GridY>
			<Quote>TXT_KEY_TECH_MINING_QUOTE</Quote>
			<PortraitIndex>1</PortraitIndex>
			<IconAtlas>TECH_ATLAS_1</IconAtlas>
			<AudioIntro>AS2D_TECH_MINING</AudioIntro>
			<AudioIntroHeader>AS2D_HEADING_TECH_MINING</AudioIntroHeader>
		</Row>
		<Row>
			<Type>TECH_SAILING</Type>
			<Cost>55</Cost>
			<Description>TXT_KEY_TECH_SAILING_TITLE</Description>
			<Civilopedia>TXT_KEY_TECH_SAILING_DESC</Civilopedia>
			<Help>TXT_KEY_TECH_SAILING_HELP</Help>
			<Era>ERA_ANCIENT</Era>
			<InternationalTradeRoutesChange>1</InternationalTradeRoutesChange>
			<Trade>true</Trade>
			<GoodyTech>true</GoodyTech>
			<GridX>2</GridX>
			<GridY>0</GridY>
			<Quote>TXT_KEY_TECH_SAILING_QUOTE</Quote>
			<PortraitIndex>13</PortraitIndex>
			<IconAtlas>TECH_ATLAS_1</IconAtlas>
			<AudioIntro>AS2D_TECH_SAILING</AudioIntro>
			<AudioIntroHeader>AS2D_HEADING_TECH_SAILING</AudioIntroHeader>
		</Row>
		<Row>
			<Type>TECH_CALENDAR</Type>
			<Cost>55</Cost>
			<Description>TXT_KEY_TECH_CALENDAR_TITLE</Description>
			<Civilopedia>TXT_KEY_TECH_CALENDAR_DESC</Civilopedia>
			<Help>TXT_KEY_TECH_CALENDAR_HELP</Help>
			<Era>ERA_ANCIENT</Era>
			<Trade>true</Trade>
			<GoodyTech>true</GoodyTech>
			<GridX>2</GridX>
			<GridY>1</GridY>
			<Quote>TXT_KEY_TECH_CALENDAR_QUOTE</Quote>
			<PortraitIndex>9</PortraitIndex>
			<IconAtlas>TECH_ATLAS_1</IconAtlas>
			<AudioIntro>AS2D_TECH_CALENDAR</AudioIntro>
			<AudioIntroHeader>AS2D_HEADING_TECH_CALENDAR</AudioIntroHeader>
		</Row>
		<Row>
			<Type>TECH_WRITING</Type>
			<Cost>55</Cost>
			<Description>TXT_KEY_TECH_WRITING_TITLE</Description>
			<Civilopedia>TXT_KEY_TECH_WRITING_DESC</Civilopedia>
			<Help>TXT_KEY_TECH_WRITING_HELP</Help>
			<Era>ERA_ANCIENT</Era>
			<AllowEmbassyTradingAllowed>true</AllowEmbassyTradingAllowed>
			<Trade>true</Trade>
			<GoodyTech>true</GoodyTech>
			<GridX>2</GridX>
			<GridY>2</GridY>
			<Quote>TXT_KEY_TECH_WRITING_QUOTE</Quote>
			<PortraitIndex>8</PortraitIndex>
			<IconAtlas>TECH_ATLAS_1</IconAtlas>
			<AudioIntro>AS2D_TECH_WRITING</AudioIntro>
			<AudioIntroHeader>AS2D_HEADING_TECH_WRITING</AudioIntroHeader>
		</Row>
		<Row>
			<Type>TECH_TRAPPING</Type>
			<Cost>55</Cost>
			<Description>TXT_KEY_TECH_TRAPPING_TITLE</Description>
			<Civilopedia>TXT_KEY_TECH_TRAPPING_DESC</Civilopedia>
			<Help>TXT_KEY_TECH_TRAPPING_HELP</Help>
			<Era>ERA_ANCIENT</Era>
			<Trade>true</Trade>
			<GoodyTech>true</GoodyTech>
			<GridX>2</GridX>
			<GridY>4</GridY>
			<Quote>TXT_KEY_TECH_TRAPPING_QUOTE</Quote>
			<PortraitIndex>13</PortraitIndex>
			<IconAtlas>TECH_ATLAS_2</IconAtlas>
			<AudioIntro>AS2D_TECH_TRAPPING</AudioIntro>
			<AudioIntroHeader>AS2D_HEADING_TECH_TRAPPING</AudioIntroHeader>
		</Row>
		<Row>
			<Type>TECH_THE_WHEEL</Type>
			<Cost>55</Cost>
			<Description>TXT_KEY_TECH_THE_WHEEL_TITLE</Description>
			<Civilopedia>TXT_KEY_TECH_THE_WHEEL_DESC</Civilopedia>
			<Help>TXT_KEY_TECH_THE_WHEEL_HELP</Help>
			<Era>ERA_ANCIENT</Era>
			<Trade>true</Trade>
			<GoodyTech>true</GoodyTech>
			<GridX>2</GridX>
			<GridY>6</GridY>
			<Quote>TXT_KEY_TECH_THE_WHEEL_QUOTE</Quote>
			<PortraitIndex>3</PortraitIndex>
			<IconAtlas>TECH_ATLAS_1</IconAtlas>
			<AudioIntro>AS2D_TECH_THE_WHEEL</AudioIntro>
			<AudioIntroHeader>AS2D_HEADING_TECH_THE_WHEEL</AudioIntroHeader>
		</Row>
		<Row>
			<Type>TECH_MASONRY</Type>
			<Cost>55</Cost>
			<Description>TXT_KEY_TECH_MASONRY_TITLE</Description>
			<Civilopedia>TXT_KEY_TECH_MASONRY_DESC</Civilopedia>
			<Help>TXT_KEY_TECH_MASONRY_HELP</Help>
			<Era>ERA_ANCIENT</Era>
			<Trade>true</Trade>
			<GoodyTech>true</GoodyTech>
			<GridX>2</GridX>
			<GridY>8</GridY>
			<Quote>TXT_KEY_TECH_MASONRY_QUOTE</Quote>
			<PortraitIndex>6</PortraitIndex>
			<IconAtlas>TECH_ATLAS_1</IconAtlas>
			<AudioIntro>AS2D_TECH_MASONRY</AudioIntro>
			<AudioIntroHeader>AS2D_HEADING_TECH_MASONRY</AudioIntroHeader>
		</Row>
		<Row>
			<Type>TECH_BRONZE_WORKING</Type>
			<Cost>55</Cost>
			<Description>TXT_KEY_TECH_BRONZE_WORKING_TITLE</Description>
			<Civilopedia>TXT_KEY_TECH_BRONZE_WORKING_DESC</Civilopedia>
			<Help>TXT_KEY_TECH_BRONZE_WORKING_HELP</Help>
			<Era>ERA_ANCIENT</Era>
			<Trade>true</Trade>
			<GoodyTech>true</GoodyTech>
			<GridX>2</GridX>
			<GridY>9</GridY>
			<Quote>TXT_KEY_TECH_BRONZE_WORKING_QUOTE</Quote>
			<PortraitIndex>5</PortraitIndex>
			<IconAtlas>TECH_ATLAS_1</IconAtlas>
			<AudioIntro>AS2D_TECH_BRONZE_WORKING</AudioIntro>
			<AudioIntroHeader>AS2D_HEADING_TECH_BRONZE_WORKING</AudioIntroHeader>
		</Row>

Unit upgrades are only limited to 1 free upgrade per unit. So if you had an infantry find an upgrade hut it would become a mech infantry if that unit had never received an upgrade from a hut. It used to be that there was no limit on upgrades, but when folks were getting their scout upgraded to an archer, then a crossbow, then rifleman, then infantry then mech infantry while still in the ancient or classical era, the devs added the limit to once per unit.

Buccaneer · Apr 22, 2014

If I recall, that limit of once per unit was put in place about a month after initial release.

scarfanatic · Apr 29, 2014

You can definitely get a Knight upgraded to a Cavalry with a ruin- AI Montezuma had a Cavalry, but nobody was in the Industrial Era. I can't think of another way that could have happened.

JeSuisNapoleon · Apr 29, 2014

I have had huts surrounded by mountains that I got in the information age with a helicopter unit, it gave me a population boost, which I thought was nice.

I had been waiting to get that hut for 2000 years.....

at least it wasn't a crudely drawn map of the region.

Gori the Grey · Apr 29, 2014

Funny that the programmers call them by their informal name, goody (huts), rather than their formal name, ruins.

Halcyan2 · Apr 29, 2014

Gori the Grey said:
Funny that the programmers call them by their informal name, goody (huts), rather than their formal name, ruins.

1. They have been informally called goody huts for quite some time. Ancient ruins is actually a new term.

2. Civ V uses a lot of old code from Civ IV, so it could easily be legacy code rather than a conscious, deliberate decision for Civ V.

Hygro · Apr 30, 2014

I thought I had some units that got free upgraded twice, recently. Perhaps there's a rule that allows them another upgrade once [x] has been fulfilled?

reddishrecue · Apr 30, 2014

Ancient ruins work like finding a ruin with a pathfinder except that the Ai chooses the best bonus for you.

S.O.T MAHak · Apr 30, 2014

is it entirely random what an AI Pathfinder will choose from a ruin?

is it entirely random what you get from a ruin?

Chieftain

Warlord

Deity

King

Warlord

Warlord

Deity

Prince

Warlord

Emperor

King

Deity

Deity

Chieftain

Prince

The Poster

Emperor

soundcloud.com/hygro/

Some dude on civfans

Warlord

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