Cannot build swordsmen

[architekton]

I've seen this is both BTS and Warlords. I have access to iron (and none is being traded away). For a few turns, the option to build swordsmen appears in the city lists but then it just disappears for no apparent reason.

And I can only get the ability back if I find another source of iron.

If I look at the trade options, the iron is there available for trade, so the mine isn't depleted.

Is this a known bug?

I'm playing on an Intel Mac under the latest version of the OS and the latest versions of the games.

 

[s.bernbaum]

I am not aware of a bug of this sort.

I play on a PPC Mac with Tiger and BTS 3.19, with BUG Mod installed.

You say iron appears on your trade list as being available. If so, you still have it. BTW, mines don't become depleted in CIV or BTS. Is there an intact road or culturally uninterrupted water route between the iron mine and the city where you want to build the swordsman? If the iron is connected to your capital it will appear on the trade list. However, if it is not connected to your city where you want the swordsman built, you won't be able to build the swordsman there.

Another possibility: If you research the tech that allows macemen, you can no longer build swordsmen.

 

[architekton]

The mine is in the square right next to the city and has a road.

I'll check to see if I overlooked the Maceman bit. (I hope it's just simple pilot error on my part!)

 

[architekton]

Pilot error - silly me! Sorry about that.

I looked through a lot of docs but couldn't find where it says the swordsman is replaced by the maceman. I must have missed it!

 

[s.bernbaum]

If you read the civilopedia entry for each of Maceman, Axeman, and Swordsman, it should indicate that the Maceman replaces both of the others.

 

[architekton]

If you read the civilopedia entry for each of Maceman, Axeman, and Swordsman, it should indicate that the Maceman replaces both of the others.

Swordsman and Axeman are shown as upgrading to Maceman, but there's nothing to say that Maceman replaces those two. In fact, the only use of the word "replace" is in reference to specific civ attributes/special units.

I'm a bit more aware of these things now, but it's slow going. Maybe I should play more often.

 

[s.bernbaum]

In the civilopedia "upgrade" means the new unit replaces the old one. The word "replace" is not used there. I only used "replace" in the discussion as what happens, not intending it to be a word sought for in the civilopedia. I'm sorry that wasn't clear.

 

[architekton]

The problem was in the civilopedia, not your explanation. Don't worry.

 

[Dman4civ]

Be advised... even if you establish the Iron resource, turns pass through, and an enemy attacks that mining source, you will lose the ability to build what ever that resource provides. Iv had barbarians destroy the mine repeatedly before, havig to reesablish the source. I've even noticed, if an enemy is standing on the only roadway to a source, doesn't even destroy it, and he there for more than one turn, as if he blockades the access to the mine, it will affect you advantage to the resource. thought you ought know... goes for any resource.... Oil, Uranium, stone, what ever.