Black Ops

[Atlantean]

I think they should add a covert operations unit, some kind of commando unit, that can act as a spy and as a combat unit. They could carry out covert missions against other civs with a % chance of causing an international incident that could cause war. They could also act as a some kind of specialized combat unit...i.e they could begin with promotions like march, combat 1, and amphibious assault.

Ideally they would remain invisible to other units (besides spies and other commandos) until war breaks out, then they would become regular combatants.

They could also be given national unit status to limit their numbers so that their upgraded combat and espionage abilities won't disrupt balance.

Just a thought I had. Anyone else have ideas for a similar type of unit or how we could make one work?

 

[calyth]

Unless you in decent relation with the civ that you're using the spy, if your spy get caught, it will dent your relations. It might be the straw that broke the camel's back and start a war on you.
I don't think making a spy like unit that convert to regular combat unit is going to be useful. If war is declared, the commando unit is probably going to get killed pretty quickly by enemy units.

 

[SomethingWitty]

No, special ops haven't ever really played an important role in war.

They're more of a recruitment pitch than an actual military asset.

 

[UnitQ]

Yeah, but I would like to see it happen

 

[joethreeblah]

How about an "Assassin" unit which would be very expensive but have a nuetral color

 

[UnitQ]

What will it do, try to kill units without haveing to lose it. Or try to kill governers of cities and turn them over to you.

 

[Lucas87]

Talk of neutral units reminds of Privateers in Sid Meier's Colonization. You could create these guys and they would look to everyone like neutral units (perhaps barbarians in civ4) and you could just go raid ships with them. (for money I believe) I'm not sure civ4 needs such units at all but it's an interesting idea to have units which look like barbs that you can control. Of course that means that the AI would just try to kill them cuz they'd look like barbs.

 

[Thormodr]

Hee hee. I loved Privateers in Colonization. ^^ "What pirates? We don't condone piracy!" Hee hee. I used to attack the Spanish fleet and take guns and horses and then trade them to the Natives. The natives could never defend themselves very well against the aggressive native destroying Spanish. I always loved the French since they had bonuses to relations with natives. *Sigh*...Those were the days. Indentured servants, petty criminals at the docks, firebrand preachers. What's not to love. ^^
Dagnabit...Why isn't there a Colonization 2 or Master of Magic 2?

Privateers were also a lot of fun in Civ 3. I hope they bring them back.

 

[SmartMuffin]

The one thing I miss most about Civ1/2 is Diplomats/Spies actually having useful, necessary functions.

 

[countzero]

hmm, maybe asassins can be used to kill great people in enemy cities ? I'ld be really pissed if somebody used one against me.