BIG list of ideas for new units

[NeoAnderson]

Modern Nuclear Submarine

NO idea why this one was not in the game... seriously, why would you take the game a step backward in this respect?
If possible, in the nuclear era, make 4 types of subs, those being attack, SSGN (cruise missile), SSBN (nuke launch), and transport.


JagPanzer

A tank with less defensive strength than a regular tank but an attack bonus vs other armor AND it's cheaper to make.


Blimp

Slow weak, but doesn't require airplanes to be invented to use, can move onto any type of square but doesn't have to land at a base like an airplane.
Possibly make some way for civilizations to build them early on, provided they have the necessary technologies, but it would be much more costly in ancient times.


Greek Fire Ship

Possibly needs some hard-to-get technology to build, but has very high attack bonus vs wooden ships.


Decereme

Galleys in Civ 4 are based on the Trireme which was the dominant sea vehicle for the Greeks and the Imperial Romans. Had Rome not lay content with supremacy over the Mediterranean, they would not have reduced their navy to simple trireme liburnians, but would have gone with much larger and stronger deceres (three oars per row, but a total of 10 men per three oars) or possibly much larger (16remes, and the fabled Ptolemian 40reme trimaran).
Therefore the Decereme would be a lot more expensive to build but be faster and more powerful in battle.


Corvi

Not actually a unit, but the Romans should have a Corvus-equipped boat which can transport legionaries and have a HUGE bonus versus other galleys provided a legion is onboard, but it would be one move slower (in real life the corvus made the galleys very unstable).


Steelclad

Ironclads could well have been built out of steel in the 1860s but due to the lack of the Bessemer process, steel was expensive to make.
Why not keep this option open though, as an alternative to ironclads, if your civilization has the ability to produce these boats in quantity.
Note, there was a 3rd generation Monitor class in the Spanish-American war made of steel.


Matchlock Troops

I don't know how you'd go about doing this, but possibly, make a way to make this unit available slightly before the musketman is.
Make it basically a crappier version of the ostensibly flintlock based musketman.


Testudo formation

The technique used by Romans (and the Myrmidons in Troy) of creating a makeshift moving fortress out of their shields.
Not a unit, but a promotion (Roman Legions would get it automatically).
Removes all bonuses from archers.


Cataphract

The concept of knights is strictly based on the existence of the Middle Ages, which in a game of Civ need not ever happen.
In those days feudalism dictated that landowners would arm themselves as private mercenaries to their lord, however this individualistic combat system prevented a very displined army.

Cataphracts, who were descended from the heavily armored cavalry of the Romans, and continued in the East Roman Empire, used traditional military drill tactics and would have wiped out a similarly sized group of knights.

So, consequently this unit should be more expensive to make, but not require feudalism, and be much more powerful.


Stealth Fighter/ATF

This needs to be back in the game!
Why was it taken out?


Armored Hellepolis

Very costly to build, and MUST move on roads but adds a huge bonus when attacking a city.


Biplane

Like the ones in WW1.


Trebuchet

Similar to Hellepolis but no defensive ability, but better range and power.
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SPACE WARFARE

Hammer of God/Polyus

Sattelite that launches missles from space.
Can destroy any unit it points at.


Armed Spacecraft

Based on concepts like HyperSoar, the X-30, and NASP.
Can destroy sattelites or other spacecraft or bomb cities without being intercepted (usually).


Space Fighter

Not based on any concepts I know of, but basically a hybrid turbofan/scramjet plane that can briefly leave the atmosphere to attack and intercept armed spacecraft, drop capsules or other atmospheric fighers.


Drop Capsule

Capable of transporting any infantry unit to any point on the globe.
Disposable.



Ok, that's enough for now!
Anyone want to volunteer?

 

[Mongoloid Cow]

Has anyone yet figured out how to actually make new units? (and by new I mean not reskinned)

 

[Exavier]

Well atm we can't add new models so that cuts alot of those out. Waiting on the SDK in hopes... Especially since i have several models standing by for half that stuff (including the space age ones lol)

But for functionality purposes of those units I have a few of them...

Nuclear Submarine - Hold 5 Tactical ICBMs (Still looks like a U-boat though till i can get my Typhoon Class Model in)
Blimp - Actually called a Zepplin (pulled from lost Units Mod)
Biplane - Pulled from lost units mod
Trebruchet - In Lost units mod (I didn't need it in my mod)

But other then those the rest of them would take new models to actually make sence. Trust me when we can add new models to the game the # of units avalible will probobly go through the roof... I am already attempting to expand the tech tree to provide room for them (My Mods next update will had a WW2 era in it)

 

[Exavier]

@Mongoloid Cow - I can convert things into NIF files all day long (Graphic Format used by Civ4). The problem is I can't convert them into the proper version of NIF needed... Civ4 uses v20.0.0.0 NIF files for its unit graphics... I think the highest I can get them is 1 version below that

So untill it gets cracked and someone makes a plugin or Fraxis releases the SDK (assumming it has a plugin) we modders are stuck. Fraxis had to use the one game engine that has its own custom graphics technology didn't it

 

[Silica_Pathways]

@Mongoloid Cow - I can convert things into NIF files all day long (Graphic Format used by Civ4). The problem is I can't convert them into the proper version of NIF needed... Civ4 uses v20.0.0.0 NIF files for its unit graphics... I think the highest I can get them is 1 version below that

So untill it gets cracked and someone makes a plugin or Fraxis releases the SDK (assumming it has a plugin) we modders are stuck. Fraxis had to use the one game engine that has its own custom graphics technology didn't it

But as i understood, u already have done unit models waiting for conversion ?

 

[Exavier]

I can do 3D models untill my eyes bleed. I am horrible with texturing
I'd have to go back and look but current models I have sitting ready for conversion:

Typhoon Class Submarine (Nuclear Sub)
LA Class Attack Sub (Moderns Attack Submarine)
WW2 Destroyer
WW2 Battleship
Space Aged Aireal Transport (going to be an upgrade from my cargo plane in my mod)

And a few others but i'd have to have a look at my files to remember them.

 

[Draax]

omg I want ALL of those!

Couple things about the trebuchet though.

They'd need setup time and reload time, but MASSIVE damage. Something like they'd only be able to fire if they were 10% fortified or something. Bonus dmg if firing from a hill. Nerf to damage if firing from a forest. Stuff like that.

I want the SDK

 

[NeoAnderson]

Well hopefully when the SDK comes out someone will listen to my ideas because I think they are essential for historical accuracy and/or potential what-ifs.

 

[Exavier]

Hey Neo go check out my Composite Mod (in my sig). It has several of those (mostly the ones feasable atm) and then some

Actually i just posted teaser screens/stats in the last page of my WW2 Naval units

 

[Iron Beagle]

How about some kind of paratrooper? They seem to have done away with those.

 

[AngryPants]

There are lots of missing units:
Paratroopers
Mobile Rocket Launcher vehicles
Anti-Tank Guns - I had no idea these things existed until i played Panzer General, but apparently they were huge in WWII.
Early Cannons - Right now we are stuck using Catapults with riflemen and grenadiers, this isnt right. I'd also love to see a separate field/siege artillery for each era. The Field artillery would have a high combat value and low bombard value, while the siege artillery would have a low combat value and high bombard value.

I like the JagPanzer unit, but maybe rename it as the Tank Destroyer so it can fit with all Civs.

 

[NeoAnderson]

How about this?

Ancient Field: Catapult
Ancient Siege: Trebuchet

Medieval Field: Cannon
Medieval Siege: Mortar

Industrial Field: Artillery (like civil war cannons)
Industrial Siege: Big Bertha

Modern Field 1: Mobile Artillery (like Crusader). Better at self-defense.
Modern Field 2: MLRS. Better at combat support.
Modern Siege: Missile Truck (like SCUD).

 

[NeoAnderson]

Oh, and I should add a few extra points.

War chariots were NOT unique to the Egyptians.
The Greeks of the bronze age used them as well.
The great Trojan war was likely fought with armies of chariots charging at each other (not this pansy ass taxi service they seemed to be used for in Troy).

The famous Dendra armor, is an example of chariot operator armor as it's completely impractical as an infantry suit, as it restricts movement.
Instead it's meant for someone who wont' be moving their legs all that much.

Before all this, the Egyptians learned of chariots from the Semitic Hyksos who in turn learned it from the Hittites who learned it from the Sumerians.
Basically every culture that had access to horses used war chariots because horses of sufficient size to support a rider were uncommon (except in Central Asia).

 

[Iron Beagle]

I think they should make a non-stealth modern bomber or attack aircraft.

The stealth bomber should be America's unique unit since nobody else, to my knowledge, has ever built one. On the other hand, America's current unique unit, the Navy SEAL, has numerous counterparts in other countries.

 

[Thalassicus]

I think they should make a non-stealth modern bomber or attack aircraft.

The stealth bomber should be America's unique unit since nobody else, to my knowledge, has ever built one. On the other hand, America's current unique unit, the Navy SEAL, has numerous counterparts in other countries.

Even better would be to replace the B-2 Stealth Bomber with the equivalent of a B-1 (supersonic) or B-52 (subsonic), which are the backbone of the real-life long-range bomber force. Replace the Navy SEAL with an attack or assault helicopter like the Huey or Cobra: Cobra would have +1 movement, march and first strike, or Huey would be able to transport 1 non-mechanized unit (such as Marines).

B-2 stealth bombers are also ridiculously expensive to form the backbone of a modern bomber force. B-2's are the most expensive planes ever created, each one costs $2.1 billion dollars! In comparison, B-52's only cost $70 million. A little interesting trivia: weighing around 75,000 kg, each B-2 stealth bomber costs $30 per gram.

There's only about a dozen B-2's in existance...there's hundreds of B-52's.

 

[Jeffool]

I know some folk don't often use spys, but one thing I'd find useful is an upgraded spy unit that, while destroying what a city is currently working on, could spread your religion to that city. Maybe call it an 'operative'?

 

[AngryPants]

B-2 stealth bombers are also ridiculously expensive to form the backbone of a modern bomber force. B-2's are the most expensive planes ever created, each one costs $2.1 billion dollars! In comparison, B-52's only cost $70 million. A little interesting trivia: weighing around 75,000 kg, each B-2 stealth bomber costs $30 per gram, about double it's weight in gold

Its hard to get a good bargain when you spend more than $2 trillion a year.

 

[NeoAnderson]

Yeah, your ideas gave me a few more things to work with:

Black Op: Has some combat value as well as the commando upgrade, and can also perform spy duties. Model would look like the black ops in Half Life.

Jet Bomber: Akin to TU-95 Bear, B-52, TU-16 Badger. Like regular bomber but more movement and more bombing power. Model would most likely look like B-52.

Supersonic Bomber: Akin to TU-160 Blackjack, TU-22 Backfire, B-70, B-1. Less bombing power than jet bomber, but more range and harder to intercept.

Fighter-Bomber: The weakest bomber, but can also intercept and defend itself from interception. Like the F-111, SU-23 (I think), and Tornado. Model would look like the F-111.

Fighter Hunter: Now this is starting to get a bit over the top but, this would be similar to the Soviet Mig 25 and 31, as well as the original purpose of the Blackbird (little known trivia there). Very long interception range but inferior at closer range combat.

V2: Possible German unique unit. Like a shorter range ballistic missile without nuclear capabilities.

Agent Orange: An ability for bombers. Turns jungles into plains, but adds pollution.

Tiltrotor: Obviously based on V-22 Osprey. Faster and more powerful than Gunship. Probably should require some advanced technology to use to simulate how hard they are to make safe.

Heavy Tiltrotor: Based on the little-known concept V-44, which is like a C-130 Hercules. Works like the Tiltrotor, but can carry infanty units.

Ground-effect transport: Akin to the Soviet Ekranoplans and conceptual Pelican transport. Capable of landing only on the water, and flying only over water, plains, and rivers, these planes can carry infantry OR armored units. The Russians should get a similar but weaker unit earlier in the game.

Stealth Carrier: Faster, smaller, harder to detect aircraft carrier.

Supercarrier: Larger, more expensive carrier.

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A few more notes from this history nerd.

Throughout the history of Civilization, one thing the developers NEVER seemed to take into account was that the way history went was not dictated by technological fiats, but politics.
That is to say, a lot of things easily could have turned out differently, and yet that is not reflected in the units.

In ancient Rome, they could have had a much more powerful navy consisting of 16-remes, however for their territory, such a force was unnecessary.
As a matter of fact, using Archmedes's water screw and Hero's Aeolipile, if they were so determined to become a naval power, they could have developed both of those technologies and had steam-powered battleships by 300 AD!
As it happened, Rome didn't give a crap about either and even worse, by then they were so culturally degenerate that practical inventions were far less interesting to them than the latest imperial baths.

In the Middle Ages, technology took a dive because without a large unifying force like the Roman Empire to maintain an infrastructure of learning and utilities people reverted toward glorified tribalism also known as Feudalism.
This in no way had to happen and yet Civilization not only treats it as an inevitability, but a POSITIVE thing, as it's a technology that gets you a more powerful horse rider unit than you could otherwise have.
Furthermore, while Europe sank into the dark ages, China never became feudal and were for centuries the technological leaders of the world.
Despite this, they lacked the scientific method devised by the Greeks and all their technological inventions failed to build upon each other which is why ultimately Europe which had been so far behind finally became the leader again.

In the modern age, our militaries are based on a different kind of war than was waged 50 years ago. It has nothing to do with technology and everything to do with the fact that there is but one superpower in the world.
As little as 20 years ago, our military and its future concepts were based around a mode of warfare akin to an even scarier and bigger World War 2 as it would be a giant scale war between East and West fought in Balkans, the Urals, Siberia, and the Steppes.

It was only Glasnost which stopped this happening.
Following the dissolution of the Reds, the new enemies were terrorists, drug lords, and little rogue states like a certan recently invaded desert country.
Consequently wars would be more like Vietnam than WW2.
Much like in Rome, navies scrapped their large boats in favor of small destroyers and frigates, armies reduced in size from the giant size forces commanded by Trajan, Caesar, Alexander, and Patton, to smaller armies.

This never actually had to occur this way though.
Had the Cold War turned hot, our navies would comprise larger battleships and carriers, our airforce would have more focus on long-range fighters and bombers, and heavy tanks rather than light and fast wheeled vehicles would be the main armored force.

This was never translated all that well in the game.

 

[Iron Beagle]

Fighter Hunter: Now this is starting to get a bit over the top but, this would be similar to the Soviet Mig 25 and 31, as well as the original purpose of the Blackbird (little known trivia there). Very long interception range but inferior at closer range combat.

I think these are usually are referred to as interceptors, actually.

I, too, like the idea of a defoliant to remove vegetation.

 

[Déja]

I just have a few questions/comments about your requests...

Modern Nuclear Submarine

NO idea why this one was not in the game... seriously, why would you take the game a step backward in this respect?
If possible, in the nuclear era, make 4 types of subs, those being attack, SSGN (cruise missile), SSBN (nuke launch), and transport.

This game appears to let you nuke any city from any other city. Why do you need to transport them?

Matchlock Troops

I don't know how you'd go about doing this, but possibly, make a way to make this unit available slightly before the musketman is.
Make it basically a crappier version of the ostensibly flintlock based musketman.

If you make the musketman any weaker, it'd be a maceman. Besides, with the time scale that civ operates at, the conversion from matchlock to flintlock occurred in just a few turns.

Testudo formation

The technique used by Romans (and the Myrmidons in Troy) of creating a makeshift moving fortress out of their shields.
Not a unit, but a promotion (Roman Legions would get it automatically).
Removes all bonuses from archers.

What exactly is the Cover promotion, then?

Stealth Fighter/ATF

This needs to be back in the game!
Why was it taken out?

Is there no stealth fighter in Civ4?