Brainstorming a better Unique Ability for Brasilia

[Smith of Lie]

This could work. I'm not sure how much it would force you to wage war though. And again, I think forcing a certain playstyle for efficiency is only a good idea if you have enough varying factions. A simple combat bonus helps you right from the start and it's usefulness doesn't grow with the scale of your warmongering. Your army is always 10% stronger, no matter how big you think it needs to be. -> flexibility!!! The usefulness of an XP bonus DOES grow with the scale of your warmongering (and even exponentially so). So your suggestion would force a certain playstyle if you care for maximal efficiency and I'm not so sure I like that.

Well, the straight 10% melee bonus makes sense from desing perspective, but probably won't feel very satisfying.

Maybe some side ability, small enough not to overbalance but cool to use? Like the SF free tech for launching the first satelite. Maybe free virtue after defeating first alien/x first aliens? Or a free promotion for the first military unit produced (I thought even "first unit of each type" but that'd be too much probably)?

 

[Lancor]

This could work. I'm not sure how much it would force you to wage war though. And again, I think forcing a certain playstyle for efficiency is only a good idea if you have enough varying factions. A simple combat bonus helps you right from the start and it's usefulness doesn't grow with the scale of your warmongering. Your army is always 10% stronger, no matter how big you think it needs to be. -> flexibility!!! The usefulness of an XP bonus DOES grow with the scale of your warmongering (and even exponentially so). So your suggestion would force a certain playstyle if you care for maximal efficiency and I'm not so sure I like that with only 8 factions in the game. With the Zulu for example it is okay, because we have 42 other factions in the same game, so a few extremely one-sided faction aren't a problem.

Yep, thr 10% is very flexible but still a bit boring.
I must damit, it is pretty hard to come up with UAs that are simple, fun, not op and fit the theme.
A bonus for killing things like culture is very good but not flexible enough. You should profit from the UA in all play styles.
Maybe instead of making units stronger, maybe lowering their price and/or upkeep would fit the theme.

10% production towards units. Would hell all kind of strategies but maybe op.

 

[JokerJace]

Well, the straight 10% melee bonus makes sense from desing perspective, but probably won't feel very satisfying.

Maybe some side ability, small enough not to overbalance but cool to use? Like the SF free tech for launching the first satelite. Maybe free virtue after defeating first alien/x first aliens? Or a free promotion for the first military unit produced (I thought even "first unit of each type" but that'd be too much probably)?

I think an additional little quirk would be a good idea, since it's really hard to say "Ha! There are my 10% at work!" But I think it should be something you get without actually forcing you to fight a lot.

Maybe instead of making units stronger, maybe lowering their price and/or upkeep would fit the theme.

That would work for me, since it is also flexible, but not really less bland. ^^ And I actually think combat strength still fits the theme a bit better.

 

[DarkestOnion]

I like the idea of +1 Production or maybe +2 Production from the First Garrisoned Military Unit in a City. That feels very like having an 'Army Corps of Engineers' in peacetime. Very realistic and it seems balanced. However, it might be more interesting to give that Production bonus for any Garrisoned Worker instead. Instead, you could give +Additional Defense to any Garrisoned Worker I suppose.

 

[Louis XXIV]

A bonus for killing things like culture is very good but not flexible enough. You should profit from the UA in all play styles.

Keep in mind the way it is now profits from all playstyles. You can either go on a warmongering rampage or, if you wish, build fewer units. In the latter, you can play a peaceful Brasilia knowing your units will survive longer if you're ever attacked while you focus on other things.

It's still simplistic and boring, though

 

[Lord Shadow]

This could work. I'm not sure how much it would force you to wage war though. And again, I think forcing a certain playstyle for efficiency is only a good idea if you have enough varying factions. A simple combat bonus helps you right from the start and it's usefulness doesn't grow with the scale of your warmongering. Your army is always 10% stronger, no matter how big you think it needs to be. -> flexibility!!! The usefulness of an XP bonus however DOES grow with the scale of your warmongering (and even exponentially so). So your suggestion would force a certain playstyle if you care for maximal efficiency and I'm not so sure I like that with only 8 factions in the game. With the Zulu for example it is okay, because we have 42 other factions in the same game, so a few extremely one-sided faction aren't a problem.

Well, besides the fact Brasilia is meant to have a militaristic bias, subtle or not, XP-related bonuses help a defensive playstyle as well, saving you energy if you choose to maintain a small, elite defense force. It's not that playstyle-enforcing, not any more than, say, Franco-Iberia's UA, which needs you to focus on culture to properly utilize it. To the point it feels Artists is the mandatory colonists choice for said sponsor.

 

[JokerJace]

Well, besides the fact Brasilia is meant to have a militaristic bias, subtle or not, XP-related bonuses help a defensive playstyle as well, saving you energy if you choose to maintain a small, elite defense force. It's not that playstyle-enforcing, not any more than, say, Franco-Iberia's UA, which needs you to focus on culture to properly utilize it. To the point it feels Artists is the mandatory colonists choice for said sponsor.

I agree that FI isn't exactly flexible. But it still feels like the need to pay attention to a certain yield isn't as restrictive as forcing you to be at war all the time (for maximum efficiency). But that's highly subjective I admit.

 

[KrikkitTwo]

I agree that FI isn't exactly flexible. But it still feels like the need to pay attention to a certain yield isn't as restrictive as forcing you to be at war all the time (for maximum efficiency). But that's highly subjective I admit.

Well you can always be at war with the aliens..although that does cause some diplomatic/game limitations.

However, a key idea is that of having a new strategy made available. FI and SF can manipulate their Free Techs. If Brasillia got some 'nonwarmonger' benefit from combat, then they would have the strategy of war for purposes other than normal purposes(ie taking cities). So Brasillia could have a long running war for the purposes of culture rather than expansion.

 

[Lord Shadow]

I agree that FI isn't exactly flexible. But it still feels like the need to pay attention to a certain yield isn't as restrictive as forcing you to be at war all the time (for maximum efficiency). But that's highly subjective I admit.

From the perspective of maximum efficiency, a great many civs in recent incarnations of the series practically enforce a certain playstyle.

 

[Galgus]

Perhaps their units could start with a free promotion and they could earn bonus Culture for Expeditions and clearing Nests.

That may be dangerous due to Aliens, and somehow Brasilia seems the best suited to that exploration to me.

Trying to think of ways to give them a broader role while maintaining an army focus.

 

[DarkestOnion]

How about -10% Production or Energy Purchasing Cost for Military Units?

 

[JokerJace]

From the perspective of maximum efficiency, a great many civs in recent incarnations of the series practically enforce a certain playstyle.

True, but when they do they also have a big pool of factions in the first place to compensate for such one sidedness.

Perhaps their units could start with a free promotion and they could earn bonus Culture for Expeditions and clearing Nests.
That may be dangerous due to Aliens, and somehow Brasilia seems the best suited to that exploration to me.
Trying to think of ways to give them a broader role while maintaining an army focus.

Somehowing giving a small reward for combat while maintaining the general easement of combat could work. I also think this one fits the flavour of the faction. But the promoton shouldn't be too specific though.

How about -10% Production or Energy Purchasing Cost for Military Units?

When I think of Brazil as it was presented so far I rather think of persistent elite forces than of an efficient military industrial complex.

 

[Galgus]

Somehowing giving a small reward for combat while maintaining the general easement of combat could work. I also think this one fits the flavour of the faction. But the promoton shouldn't be too specific though.

I was honestly thinking it could just be enough experience for a promotion - a bit of a headstart to getting more meaningful ones.

Perhaps a boost to experience gain would be better than a free promotion - I agree with you that a focus on elite soldiers seems the best route to take.
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On a related note, I wonder if the Barracks and all are still in the game - I wouldn't mind them leaving personally since leveling through combat feels more meaningful.

 

[SupremacyKing]

Perhaps a boost to experience gain would be better than a free promotion - I agree with you that a focus on elite soldiers seems the best route to take.

I was thinking that too. Maybe +10% melee strength AND +10% more XP points.

 

[KrikkitTwo]

I was honestly thinking it could just be enough experience for a promotion - a bit of a headstart to getting more meaningful ones.

Perhaps a boost to experience gain would be better than a free promotion - I agree with you that a focus on elite soldiers seems the best route to take.
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On a related note, I wonder if the Barracks and all are still in the game - I wouldn't mind them leaving personally since leveling through combat feels more meaningful.

I don't think there are 'meaningful' promotions. I think/hope they removed those in favor of Affinity perks.

 

[Kennan]

Replace the +10% strength for all units with +25% for the first unit of each class.

Feels more unique. Still usefull for offensive players and it's also useful for more peacefull players that want a small effcient defensive force.

 

[Technopinky]

I've read a lot of people's ideas for changes to Brasilia's UA, and many of them are fun and more interesting than the current UA. However, if I'm going to play a multiplayer game and try to eliminate all the other players I would still much rather have a straight +10% melee bonus than any of these "more interesting" UA options.

 

[Galgus]

I don't think there are 'meaningful' promotions. I think/hope they removed those in favor of Affinity perks.

Hoping for things that change up how the unit plays a bit, like attacking twice or healing after attack.

I'm hoping elite troops with high veterancy feel like elites.

 

[KrikkitTwo]

Hoping for things that change up how the unit plays a bit, like attacking twice or healing after attack.

I'm hoping elite troops with high veterancy feel like elites.

Those "change how it plays" are in the Affinity perqs, and I Really hope they stay only there. (or Maybe get granted by buildings)

Otherwise you get the 'grind' to promote units. +10% strength or a 50hp heal seems fine.

For Brasilia, focusing it on melee combat is potentially interesting.
It basically means you want to use more ranged v. Brasilia and Brasilia wants to use more melee troops (including carriers in the water)

If they have fixed the OP ranged factor, that's not bad, and potentially interesting.

But something like Japan's ability (applied to melee combat only possibly) would make it more interesting.

and something like the Aztec's ability (non combat bonus from combat) would drastically make it more interesting. You'd lose a little bit of flexibility... but why pick Brasilia if you are not going to use the military (even against aliens)

 

[Lucius_]

By the sounds of it, you will use the military in almost every victory condition except possibly contact. So even a peaceful harmony game will not avoid combat. Once you start your victory wonder, it appears all opposing affinities will then DoW you.