Any1 else thinks rushing steel longsword tech as Russia is an exploit?

[Teagen]

Steel itself isn't revolutionary at all. That'd be like saying coal was revolutionary back when the Romans or Hopi indians used it for heating since coal eventually lead to the industrial era.

Mass producing steel was revolutionary, that came later.

 

[askia53]

But even if it isnt revolutionary, isn't it still important enough to be a tech?
Some things on the tech tree weren't revolutionary per se, but they still were important enough or led to important enough things to be put on the tech tree.

Back on topic: I don't really think they are OP. They come a decent amount of time after swordsmen, and even if you do rush them, even as Russia you likely wont produce that many before the AI can counter. And if you beelined steel, you would neglect lots of crucial techs.

 

[Cahillicus]

Steel was a very important development in history. It's stronger and more durable than iron. Though it's been around for a long time, around that time is when large smelters popped up to process it.