One of the things I love about Civ is the 'customising your Empire' feel. UAs, cities, social policies, religion, ideologies, tech beelines all give you interesting choices to make each Civ you play feel that little bit different.
Now here's a thought about Great Generals. Right now there's only 2 uses for them; the +15% bonus or the Fortress. Here are some thoughts about a new use for Great Generals.
How it works is you have your Great General positioned on a city and you have a 3rd option to use the General for - a Great Military Strategy. When you click this (like founding a religion) a new table opens up and you have a selection of special strategies your General can choose. These will offer interesting bonuses for various aspects of your military that can't be gained anywhere else. Once you select a Strategy than the Great General is expended as any other Great Person is.
So the purpose is to make the military side of Civ 5 a little more interesting by adding some customization that lets you direct your military strategy.
Now none of these Strategies are meant to be overpowered or make certain existing builds even more powerful, rather the thought is that it can open up new ways of using military that aren't particularly practical right now or new ways to use a Great General. I've added a suggestion from the Military Advisor to help with making the decision and a short Civilopedia article to provide some background on each particular Strategy
Military Treatise - Can be chosen multiple times
Requires: One slot for a Work of Great Writing, 100 cumulative military unit experience
Grants a free Military Treatise – This is a Great Work of Writing that produces +2 science per turn and +2 tourism per turn. Do not provide theming bonuses.
Military Advisor: A Military Treatise is a document produced by a Great General that details military philosophy and strategy. These works tend to promote advances in technology and also seem to increase a Civilizations influence.
They are excellent to place in our Royal Libraries or in a National Epic for a small boost to tourism and science.
Civilopedia
Many generals through human history have earned their fame by turning the tides of war and influencing the world in writings & memoirs that detail military philosophy, strategy, tactics & logistics etc. Such Generals and examples of their works include
Aeneas Tacticus (How to survive under siege), Byzantine Emperor Maurice (Strategikon), Vo Nguyen Giap (Big Victory, Great Task; Peoples Army…, and most famously of all Sun Tzu’s Art of War.
Art of War - Can only be chosen once per game.
Requires: Philosophy, one available Honor policy, one slot for a Work of Great Writing, 100 cumulative military unit experience
Grants a free Honor social policy and a free Military Treatise (2 science turn/2 tourism turn)
Military Advisor: The Art of War will provide our Empire with a significant benefit to our military strategy and science output.
Civilopedia
Sun Tzu was a Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher who lived from 545 BC to 470 BC and was the author of the Art of War.
The Art of War is arguably the most influential study of military philosophy and strategy ever compiled in human history. Its work has inspired countless military commanders ever since and it could be said that every successful general was once an apprentice of Sun Tzu.
War of Independence - No limit to use. Only one can be in effect at any one time.
Requires: Lost capitol
Increases military combat strength and military production speed by 20% for 15 turns
Military Advisor: We have lost our capitol city! Our people and our soldiers are ready for revenge and are willing to fight to the death to reclaim our homeland. We should strike now!
Civilopedia
Many times through human history when conquest looked certain aspiring civilians (often from an obscure past) rose up and formed armies and rebellions to reclaim lost lands and to restore honor and independence. Examples of such leaders that gave their lives to wars of independence include William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, Ho Chi Minh, Chian Kai-shek….
Decree of Themistocles - May only be chosen once per game
Requires: Sailing, Writing
Grants +25% production towards Triremes. Triremes heal at +3hp per turn in all tiles (even after action and outside friendly territory) and move at +1 speed.
Military Advisor: Naval supremacy will surely grant our military a unique advantage over our neighbouring adversaries
Civilopedia
Themistocles was a famous Athenian politician and general who advocated for the discovery of a silver vein to be used to pay for a 200 strong fleet of triremes in 483 BC. This fleet enabled the Greek states enough maritime strength under the leadership of Themistocles to defeat the King Xerxes Persian navy at Salamis which prevented the Persians from securing a land victory over the Peloponnese. Themistocles foresight and leadership demonstrated the importance of naval supremacy in military campaigns in coastal lands.
Testudo Formation
Requires: Discipline (Honor Policy)
Melee (pre-gunpowder units) will gain +25% defense against city attacks and +10% strength against ranged attacks. Effect is lost if the unit health drops below 50%.
Military Advisor: Effective siege tactics are necessary for any empire with expansionist objectives. Training our armies with Testudo tactics will significantly reduce casualties during siege warfare.
Civilopedia
The Testudo formation was a popular military formation adopted by the Roman Legions and was particularly effective during sieges. The formation relied upon soldiers interlocking their shields so every angle was impervious to basic missile attacks. This gave a highly trained and organised army a distinct advantage during siege warfore. Testudo’s were not invincible however and concentrated melee and heavy cavalry attacks could break the formation allowing for missiles to penetrate the shield-wall….
Themes
Requires: Civil Service
Expires: Industrialization
Farms adjacent to a Garrisoned Fort produce 1 gold. Maximum of 1 gold per farm.
Military Advisor: A large permanent standing army is extremely expensive for any empire to maintain. Themes will give us the means to decentralize the military and reduce expenditures.
Civilopedia
In the early 7th century the Eastern Roman/Byzantine Empire was in crisis. Imperial rule from Constantinople nearly collapsed from overwhelming attacks from Avars and Persians. After surviving this threat, the Empire faced a new onslaught from an aggressive Islamic Caliphate which conquered 2/3s of the Byzantine Empire within a few decades.
However Byzantium proved to be a resilient state and paramount to 9-10th century imperial resurgency were military reforms which involved decentralizing the military by dividing the Empire into provinces called Themes. Each theme would be populated by soldiers who would ‘lease’ land of the Emperor and work as farmers during times of peace in exchange for their services during war. This system allowed the late Byzantine Empire to field the largest and most powerful army in Europe during the middle-ages until the Theme system began to break down in the late 11th century from neglect and civil wars.
Master of the Steppes
Requires: Horseback riding
Horsemen, Knights and Lancers receive double flanking bonuses and + 10% combat strength in rough terrain.
Military Advisor: If we are planning to wage war using mounted troops through difficult terrain than I suggest we learn to use the land to our advantage
Civilopedia
Many people originated from the steppes of central Eurasia: the Mongols, Turks and Huns for instance and many of them were nomadic and learned to master horse riding. In battle nomadic horse riders could silently attack the rear or flanks of a larger, better equipped but slower army and vanish before the defending army had the chance to organise themselves and retaliate. The battle of Myriokephalon was an example of a typical ambush where stealthy Turk armies ambushed and defeated a larger Byzantine army in a mountain pass near central Anatolia.
Foreign Legion
Requires: Replaceable Parts, control of two or more capitol cities
Allows for the training and purchase of Foreign Legions
Military Advisor: Perhaps the formation of a Foreign Legion may entice men in the occupied territories who wish to experience the opportunities of adventure, better pay and social standing into serving the army?
Civilopedia: unchanged.
Mass Conscription
Requires: Ideology (any)
Increases military production speed by 33% and unhappiness by 25% for 15 turns. Reduces cultural output by 25% for 15 turns. Provides 3 free of the latest melee units immediately in the capital (Rifleman, Great War Infantry etc…
Military Advisor: If we need to increase the size of our military quickly we can enforce conscription on the population. This may be very unpopular and have social ramifications but it could save our bacon.
Civilopedia.
Conscription is a policy introduced by a government that by enforced law drafts civilians into the army. Conscription dates back to antiquity and has been used to great effect in army recruitment. With industrialisation however a nation can quickly raise civilian armies at rates never before seen and mass conscription quickly became the tool for driving recruitment during the two world wars. However since the early 20th century it is a policy that has become increasingly controversial. During World War 1 for instance the British initially enjoyed high rates of volunteer recruitment from Irish Catholics however later attempts to conscript Irish men were met with heavy opposition. The United States lost public support for its war in Vietnam in part due to the practice of civilian conscription.
Now here's a thought about Great Generals. Right now there's only 2 uses for them; the +15% bonus or the Fortress. Here are some thoughts about a new use for Great Generals.
How it works is you have your Great General positioned on a city and you have a 3rd option to use the General for - a Great Military Strategy. When you click this (like founding a religion) a new table opens up and you have a selection of special strategies your General can choose. These will offer interesting bonuses for various aspects of your military that can't be gained anywhere else. Once you select a Strategy than the Great General is expended as any other Great Person is.
So the purpose is to make the military side of Civ 5 a little more interesting by adding some customization that lets you direct your military strategy.
Now none of these Strategies are meant to be overpowered or make certain existing builds even more powerful, rather the thought is that it can open up new ways of using military that aren't particularly practical right now or new ways to use a Great General. I've added a suggestion from the Military Advisor to help with making the decision and a short Civilopedia article to provide some background on each particular Strategy
Military Treatise - Can be chosen multiple times
Requires: One slot for a Work of Great Writing, 100 cumulative military unit experience
Grants a free Military Treatise – This is a Great Work of Writing that produces +2 science per turn and +2 tourism per turn. Do not provide theming bonuses.
Military Advisor: A Military Treatise is a document produced by a Great General that details military philosophy and strategy. These works tend to promote advances in technology and also seem to increase a Civilizations influence.
They are excellent to place in our Royal Libraries or in a National Epic for a small boost to tourism and science.
Civilopedia
Many generals through human history have earned their fame by turning the tides of war and influencing the world in writings & memoirs that detail military philosophy, strategy, tactics & logistics etc. Such Generals and examples of their works include
Aeneas Tacticus (How to survive under siege), Byzantine Emperor Maurice (Strategikon), Vo Nguyen Giap (Big Victory, Great Task; Peoples Army…, and most famously of all Sun Tzu’s Art of War.
Art of War - Can only be chosen once per game.
Requires: Philosophy, one available Honor policy, one slot for a Work of Great Writing, 100 cumulative military unit experience
Grants a free Honor social policy and a free Military Treatise (2 science turn/2 tourism turn)
Military Advisor: The Art of War will provide our Empire with a significant benefit to our military strategy and science output.
Civilopedia
Sun Tzu was a Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher who lived from 545 BC to 470 BC and was the author of the Art of War.
The Art of War is arguably the most influential study of military philosophy and strategy ever compiled in human history. Its work has inspired countless military commanders ever since and it could be said that every successful general was once an apprentice of Sun Tzu.
War of Independence - No limit to use. Only one can be in effect at any one time.
Requires: Lost capitol
Increases military combat strength and military production speed by 20% for 15 turns
Military Advisor: We have lost our capitol city! Our people and our soldiers are ready for revenge and are willing to fight to the death to reclaim our homeland. We should strike now!
Civilopedia
Many times through human history when conquest looked certain aspiring civilians (often from an obscure past) rose up and formed armies and rebellions to reclaim lost lands and to restore honor and independence. Examples of such leaders that gave their lives to wars of independence include William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, Ho Chi Minh, Chian Kai-shek….
Decree of Themistocles - May only be chosen once per game
Requires: Sailing, Writing
Grants +25% production towards Triremes. Triremes heal at +3hp per turn in all tiles (even after action and outside friendly territory) and move at +1 speed.
Military Advisor: Naval supremacy will surely grant our military a unique advantage over our neighbouring adversaries
Civilopedia
Themistocles was a famous Athenian politician and general who advocated for the discovery of a silver vein to be used to pay for a 200 strong fleet of triremes in 483 BC. This fleet enabled the Greek states enough maritime strength under the leadership of Themistocles to defeat the King Xerxes Persian navy at Salamis which prevented the Persians from securing a land victory over the Peloponnese. Themistocles foresight and leadership demonstrated the importance of naval supremacy in military campaigns in coastal lands.
Testudo Formation
Requires: Discipline (Honor Policy)
Melee (pre-gunpowder units) will gain +25% defense against city attacks and +10% strength against ranged attacks. Effect is lost if the unit health drops below 50%.
Military Advisor: Effective siege tactics are necessary for any empire with expansionist objectives. Training our armies with Testudo tactics will significantly reduce casualties during siege warfare.
Civilopedia
The Testudo formation was a popular military formation adopted by the Roman Legions and was particularly effective during sieges. The formation relied upon soldiers interlocking their shields so every angle was impervious to basic missile attacks. This gave a highly trained and organised army a distinct advantage during siege warfore. Testudo’s were not invincible however and concentrated melee and heavy cavalry attacks could break the formation allowing for missiles to penetrate the shield-wall….
Themes
Requires: Civil Service
Expires: Industrialization
Farms adjacent to a Garrisoned Fort produce 1 gold. Maximum of 1 gold per farm.
Military Advisor: A large permanent standing army is extremely expensive for any empire to maintain. Themes will give us the means to decentralize the military and reduce expenditures.
Civilopedia
In the early 7th century the Eastern Roman/Byzantine Empire was in crisis. Imperial rule from Constantinople nearly collapsed from overwhelming attacks from Avars and Persians. After surviving this threat, the Empire faced a new onslaught from an aggressive Islamic Caliphate which conquered 2/3s of the Byzantine Empire within a few decades.
However Byzantium proved to be a resilient state and paramount to 9-10th century imperial resurgency were military reforms which involved decentralizing the military by dividing the Empire into provinces called Themes. Each theme would be populated by soldiers who would ‘lease’ land of the Emperor and work as farmers during times of peace in exchange for their services during war. This system allowed the late Byzantine Empire to field the largest and most powerful army in Europe during the middle-ages until the Theme system began to break down in the late 11th century from neglect and civil wars.
Master of the Steppes
Requires: Horseback riding
Horsemen, Knights and Lancers receive double flanking bonuses and + 10% combat strength in rough terrain.
Military Advisor: If we are planning to wage war using mounted troops through difficult terrain than I suggest we learn to use the land to our advantage
Civilopedia
Many people originated from the steppes of central Eurasia: the Mongols, Turks and Huns for instance and many of them were nomadic and learned to master horse riding. In battle nomadic horse riders could silently attack the rear or flanks of a larger, better equipped but slower army and vanish before the defending army had the chance to organise themselves and retaliate. The battle of Myriokephalon was an example of a typical ambush where stealthy Turk armies ambushed and defeated a larger Byzantine army in a mountain pass near central Anatolia.
Foreign Legion
Requires: Replaceable Parts, control of two or more capitol cities
Allows for the training and purchase of Foreign Legions
Military Advisor: Perhaps the formation of a Foreign Legion may entice men in the occupied territories who wish to experience the opportunities of adventure, better pay and social standing into serving the army?
Civilopedia: unchanged.
Mass Conscription
Requires: Ideology (any)
Increases military production speed by 33% and unhappiness by 25% for 15 turns. Reduces cultural output by 25% for 15 turns. Provides 3 free of the latest melee units immediately in the capital (Rifleman, Great War Infantry etc…
Military Advisor: If we need to increase the size of our military quickly we can enforce conscription on the population. This may be very unpopular and have social ramifications but it could save our bacon.
Civilopedia.
Conscription is a policy introduced by a government that by enforced law drafts civilians into the army. Conscription dates back to antiquity and has been used to great effect in army recruitment. With industrialisation however a nation can quickly raise civilian armies at rates never before seen and mass conscription quickly became the tool for driving recruitment during the two world wars. However since the early 20th century it is a policy that has become increasingly controversial. During World War 1 for instance the British initially enjoyed high rates of volunteer recruitment from Irish Catholics however later attempts to conscript Irish men were met with heavy opposition. The United States lost public support for its war in Vietnam in part due to the practice of civilian conscription.