Best Unique Unit

[Go Boks]

Thanks for that, however i still do not have any idea how these weapons stacked up against the best weapons in Europe at the time? or for how long they remained superior if that was the case before the Europeans came to posses similar weapons?

German infantry did not have repeating rifles in WWII. Does that answer the question?

BTW, @ basing one's opinions on wikipedia. If wikipedia doesn't have it, it must not exist! Not trying to be a dick, but couldn't resist...

As for America "always" having a dominant airforce, they've only had a dominant airforce since the late, late Cold War. I'll be generous and say 25 years versus 230 years of independence and 400 years of English settlement in North America? Not a good choice IMO.

America wasn't a super power until after WWII, so the unit should probably be modern TBH (which sucks for them, but America shouldn't be a "civ" IMO, so too bad). Best UU candidate from the second half of the 20th century? I would have to go with nuclear supercarriers or an Abrams, so an upgrade on the carrier or modern armour (my vote would be for the carrier out of those two, as there are several tanks that are as good as an Abrams, but the US has the best carriers hands down).

If you wanted an earlier unit, I'd be hard pressed to think of one. I can't think of anything from the Revolutionary War period through to the Napoleonic era. I suppose cavalry is a decent choice from the mid-19th century (the existing model already looks like US cavalry, so they should keep that for the UU and the standard unit should be something different). However, I'd have to go with Ironclads from that period, since the US was really the only country to ever use them in combat. Super short lived unit though (maybe if you made it an early sub and other countries couldn't get it period, it would be useful?).

Other than that, I can't really think of anything that the US excelled at from the Civil War to WWII, beyond raw production. Maybe an earlier UU should really be something like India's fast worker?

 

[salty mud]

Instead of 'Settlers,' maybe America could have 'Colonists' and move 3 tiles per turn/start with size 2 cities? Just a thought...

 

[Go Boks]

You could call them covered wagons a la the Oregon trail.

Improved settlers would be super powerful though, so the improvement would have to be minor at best. For instance, cost less hammers would definitely be unfair. Starting with size 2 cities would probably also be unfair (you'd have to ask a power gamer though).

1 extra movement probably isn't unbalancing though. Maybe something like your city still grows while you make them? That is probably too powerful as well though.

Maybe a free improvement in the new city instead. Something basic like a free granary. That's pretty powerful but maybe not unbalancing.

 

[TheMeInTeam]

I hadn't thought of the ironclad, but it's not a bad suggestion for a US UU that would actually be useful! Give them an extra move or so and the ability to travel in the ocean, and all of a sudden an otherwise weak sauce unit becomes QUITE viable. In fact it might be TOO strong on water maps then, with no counter until combustion .

 

[bestbrian]

Yeah, I agree that it should be the Carrier.

Earlier units? Ranger (replaces Musketman): Free Guerilla I / Woodsman I promotions. That's about as early as I think you could get. An Infantry replacement would work, call it the GI: No promos, but maybe a reduction in drafting cost (or full strength at draft?).

 

[Onionsoilder]

The American UU should be the B-24 Bomber, A.K.A. the Flying Fortress. Armed with nearly three times as many gun turrets as a standard bomber, and hosting an innovative belly-mounted turret, It could get a bonus such as +100% versus Fighter. Comes slightly earlier then the Marine, and represents the might of the U.S. Airforce.

 

[Go Boks]

the B-24 Bomber, A.K.A. the Flying Fortress.

Do you mean the B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 Liberator or the B-29 Superfortress?

I'm guessing you mean the B-17 or the B-29.

The B-29's didn't really go up against many fighters, and the B-17's certainly weren't very effective against them (defensive gun turrets don't repel fighters, smaller/faster bombers avoid them though).

If you wanted to go that route, I'd make their upgrade more strength and/or more range (i.e., fly further and drop more bombs).

 

[Genv [FP]]

No. It would be an UU nobody builds.

 

[skinrair]

Mine is Fast Workers, Redcoats, and Carracks

 

[azzaman333]

War Chariot without any doubt. (mostly because Quecha's feel too much like an exploit, and Egypt gets WC after 1 tech, Persia gets Immortals after 2)

 

[J-man]

War Chariot without any doubt. (mostly because Quecha's feel too much like an exploit, and Egypt gets WC after 1 tech, Persia gets Immortals after 2)

Immortals are better on Monarch+. With the bonus against archers.

 

[azzaman333]

Immortals are better on Monarch+. With the bonus against archers.

War Chariots are out faster, speed is the key. It may take 10 extra turns to research the Wheel, which is 10 extra turns until you can get to that first city.

 

[the mzr]

go phalanxs they are awesome defenders on mountains 1 phalanxs killed 18 axemen once prving tey are awesome

 

[KinesongPayaso]

Almost any mounted unit
Immortal, War Chariot, Cossack

 

[reverend oats]

Quencha, War Chariot, Immortal, Praet. Nothing else can compare.

 

[NeverSurrender]

go phalanxs they are awesome defenders on mountains 1 phalanxs killed 18 axemen once prving tey are awesome

I'm surprised the phalanx hasn't been mentioned more. Axemen that trumps it's nemesis?

 

[azzaman333]

I'm surprised the phalanx hasn't been mentioned more. Axemen that trumps it's nemesis?

The AI never really gets out enough Chariots or Horse Archers to make it as useful as War Chariots or Quechas.

 

[FlyinJohnnyL]

I'm by no means saying it's the best, but I actually like the East Indiaman on Continents maps. I usually want to start my intercontinental invasion before Transports are available, and having that extra cargo spot really helps. Every 3 Indiamans built basically equals a free galleon.

As far as the best, I can't argue against Praets. Quechas are a close 2nd.

 

[digitCruncher]

Digit's Top 5:

#5: Quecha. Cheap, early unit, that is the idea on winning at diety. At lower levels, however, its merits are markibly... weaker.

#4: Immortal. Again, a nice ruch unit. Alas, it's lifespan is amazingly short. However, its defensive bonus ability is nice.

#3: Cataphracts. A BIG jump up from #4, cataphracts are INSANELY POWERFUL units, with a MASSIVE 12 base . In a world where the next best defender is a 6 strength unit, cataphracts + a couple of defender units + siege > everything else.

#2: Chu-ko-nu. These guys are amazing. Early on, they are powerful anti-melee units, that have very few counters. Just remember to pack pikes. They are superior to maces, if you pack seige with you.
Then, later on, when they obsolete, you need not use gold to upgrade them... just suicide them into enemy stacks for the collateral damage!! Thier collateral damage is very nice in the early-game too... taking out those few units that survived the barrage of your seige units.
Grab a very powerful regular unit, give it collateral damage, and an extra first strike, and you have an amazing unit. Add in a great UB, and good synegy with traits, and China is a great civ to play as.

#1: Prets. No comment. 8 strength units, in a world of 3 / 5 strength defenders beats anything. Prets own the title as the famous "unit without a counter", as the only counter against them is Crossbows, or Macemen. And even then, a couple of promotions will delay the next counter to something like rifles >.<
As a result, I never play Rome. FAR too easy...

Fast workers get a dishonourable mention. As an epic speed player, I lose those abilities. Dog soldiers too, get a MASSIVE dishonourable mention. By sacrificing 1 strength, you get a tiny bonus. 8 strength vs. melee, compared to 7.5 strength vs. melee (while defending). That 0.5 strength bonus was REALLY worth the -1 strength against archers / mounted.

 

[harusame]

chukonu anyone?
collateral firststrike