Birds? Where they be at?

[Zechnophobe]

So, ever since the first game of FFH I played, I loved the idea that my hunters could carry around a bird companion. Seemed like such a cool idea. At the time hawks were all I had, but I assumed I'd get more birds at some point.

That has, of course, not happened. Possibly because the hawk is just so FREAKING good it dissuades other birds.

Either way, I think it's about time we get a few more flying critters. Even just a 'bomber' style and 'fighter' style to go with it, that are both generally weak and cheap would be great. Would propagate the current model of Hunter+Bird being pretty good, but requiring you pay upkeep on two units.

 

[MagisterCultuum]

There used to be 2 more types of birds, but these were UUs with the same abilites but different graphics. Most evil civs had Ravens, while the Balseraphs and the Lanun had Parrots.

In my modmod I plan to bring back the old birds as civ specific graphics (probably renaming Hawks "birds," "trained birds," "tracking birds," or something like that) and to add a new "Bird of War" (or some better name) that has fighter abilities, possibly as a national unit. I'm thinking maybe a bird hero too: The Phoenix.

 

[Vehem]

In my modmod I plan to bring back the old birds as civ specific graphics (probably renaming Hawks "birds," "trained birds," "tracking birds," or something like that) and to add a new "Bird of War" (or some better name) that has fighter abilities, possibly as a national unit. I'm thinking maybe a bird hero too: The Phoenix.

Careful with the Bird of War - I gave Rock Ravens to the Chislev (as Absaroke has a link with that type of bird) and I had to scale back their power a lot for the sake of balancing them.

 

[Ekolite]

@Vehem: The rock ravens were such a great idea by the way, really helped to make the Chislev a unique civ.

 

[Ecofarm]

I want many kinds of birds:

Standard (minus see invis)
See Invis
damage single unit
damage tile
intercept
+ vision
w/ spell(s): blaze, spring, regen, etc
a few Hero Birds

All available at different techs.

I would also like to be able to summon barbarian beasts, like the giant monkeys, for very few hammers, via world projects.

 

[Grand Seeker]

I would support an intercept bird, one to see invisible etc. but not the damaging ones. It doesn't feel right, and we generally dont need it.

If possible it would have been more fun that birds could give units a bonus when it has successfully done a recon mission in the area. For example +1 strength, or
something.

That would be enough to make intercept nice. Archers and stronger birds may get an intercept ability to shoot down and negate the enemy from getting the bonus from an simple bird doing a simple recon mission.

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What I would love if it is possible to create a flying airship, which can transport units

 

[MagisterCultuum]

Ummm...what would the birds be intercepting? Intercept missions are purely to combat air attacks (or paradropping, but that is only used in my modmod ), yet you want to allow interception without aerial combat? What's the point? I don't think that just countering the recon orders of other birds makes much sense.

I still think that it would be good for upgraded forms of birds to attack, but probably not to the point of killing their targets. "Bombing" missions or missions to destroy improvements or buildings make no sense (well, except maybe for a Giant Eagle or Rok hero that can drop boulders from the sky. Sounds like a new Barbarian hero to me)


I've had some problems making flying ships. It seems they cannot enter the tiles passable to most land units, and when you try to move them onto land they unload their cargo instead. Of course, if you mean a normal air unit that can rebase and carry cargo with it while it does so, then that is entirely possible (and easy) to do.

 

[Grand Seeker]

Ummm...what would the birds be intercepting? Intercept missions are purely to combat air attacks (or paradropping, but that is only used in my modmod ), yet you want to allow interception without aerial combat? What's the point? I don't think that just countering the recon orders of other birds makes much sense.

I disagree. In WWI that was the entire purpose of the airplanes: to counter
recon missions. This would give the side with most airplanes an strategic bonus of having the ability to do recon ops.

In game terms this does not make much sence unless we give a bonus to all land units within a 'recon' sone. For example +1 strength. If you want to negate the enemy getting +1 strenth you have to intercept it first

I've had some problems making flying ships. It seems they cannot enter the tiles passable to most land units, and when you try to move them onto land they unload their cargo instead. Of course, if you mean a normal air unit that can rebase and carry cargo with it while it does so, then that is entirely possible (and easy) to do.

I was firstly thinking of the easy solution. A normal air unit that can rebase and carry cargo The other alternative would also be fun, but not neccessary.

But if something like this should be implemented, it should be a national unit (max 2?) and carry a limited number of units. In regular civ I hate how 'airports' can be used to INSTEAD of transports and navy. Airtransport is fun, but should be very limited.