Channels or Canals

[Hawaiian]

I would love it if there was an improvement that could be made available through some technology to allow workers to improve a land tile to become a channel or canal through which naval units can pass. (a maximum of 2 land tiles wide)

Also, if a city is connected to the ocean this way, allow it to build naval units, and maybe even harbors for naval trade routes. The only weird issue I can think of is that naval units and land military units cannot be on the tile at the same time, but other than that I think it would be great.

 

[Save_Ferris]

Channels might be a stretch. You can't really make a channel, they're natural formations. But I would like to see canals that act like man-made rivers, and ships could pass through them.

 

[Samuil]

SHips can not move through rivers

 

[Save_Ferris]

SHips can not move through rivers

...But they should. Think of the Suez and Panama Canals, the Yangtze, the Mississippi, the Nile, etc. Not sure if they could be able to bombard, though.

 

[Hawaiian]

Not only is it a function from CIV 4 (forts functioned that way).

But most importantly I think it would add elements that people want more of, namely:

more "builder" options, meaningful decisions effecting city planning, and strategy options involving economy! (also military strategy)

 

[KevinMiles90000]

I think forts should allow ship movement like in IV. I've run into many situations where not have this ability was a significant disadvantage.

 

[Helmling]

I think forts should allow ship movement like in IV. I've run into many situations where not have this ability was a significant disadvantage.

But then they would definitely need to make it so that naval and land units can occupy the same tile, the way civilian and military can.

This, by the way, should happen. Your naval units should be able to protect your embarked land units for Pete's sake. It's one of the biggest head-slappers in a game that's full of them.

 

[spider1]

Leaving aside ship movement, being able to build canals would very much alter food, hammers (hydro dam) and coin production. It would be a drastic change and alter a lot of strategies. Might be fun though.

 

[Hawaiian]

Leaving aside ship movement, being able to build canals would very much alter food, hammers (hydro dam) and coin production. It would be a drastic change and alter a lot of strategies. Might be fun though.

I agree, which is what would make it a reasonable and fun decision process. Need access to that ocean? Well, you have to give up that sweet riverside farm. Or perhaps even worse, that academy you built there. DOH! Bet you won't do that again.

Although sometimes it may just be a desert tile. It'll be different every time, and it would add depth to the game in a great way.

 

[Nyanko]

Leaving aside ship movement, being able to build canals would very much alter food, hammers (hydro dam) and coin production. It would be a drastic change and alter a lot of strategies. Might be fun though.

Paticularly if you get one of those horrid maps where you have built your most productive cities around a lovely sea... only to find its an INLAND SEA! Canals would be most useful in that situation

 

[Rex_Mundi]

I agree, I would love to have this option.

However you have to consider how it would work with 1 UPT.
1: Do you allow a ship and a land unit on the same tile?
2: Do you allow a ship that ended it's turn in the canal to defend if attacked?
3: Do you allow a ship to bombard from a canal?

In my oppinion.
1: You can't allow this, they can't be on the same tile when at sea, so neither on the land.
2: I'm not sure, embarked units get elliminated by ships when at sea so it would be fair to do the same at land. If the ships were allowed to defend they should have a severe defence penalty.
3: I would allow this because a ship can bombard from a city, but ending the turn in the canal would leave the ship very vulnerable.

 

[LegionSteve]

Definitely would like canals

@ Rex_Mundi, I disagree on point 1. Canals should allow 1 land unit (which would not be embarked) and 1 ship at the same time, in the same way that cities do. Point 2 I think ships in canals should get instant killed by military land units, like land units do at sea. I agree on point 3.

I also agree with the poster who said ships should be able to protect embarked land units. They can't defend themselves (usually) hence they are a civilian unit while embarked and should be able to share a tile with a military ship.

 

[Pep]

Related to the channels idea I've been thinking about another one: make workboats able to walk over land (changing the animation, of course!). That way you could harvest water resources with no sea route access (like those in lakes or near the poles).

 

[Camikaze]

Moderator Action: Moved to Ideas & Suggestions.

 

[Hawaiian]

I agree, I would love to have this option.

However you have to consider how it would work with 1 UPT.
1: Do you allow a ship and a land unit on the same tile?
2: Do you allow a ship that ended it's turn in the canal to defend if attacked?
3: Do you allow a ship to bombard from a canal?

In my oppinion.
1: You can't allow this, they can't be on the same tile when at sea, so neither on the land.
2: I'm not sure, embarked units get elliminated by ships when at sea so it would be fair to do the same at land. If the ships were allowed to defend they should have a severe defence penalty.
3: I would allow this because a ship can bombard from a city, but ending the turn in the canal would leave the ship very vulnerable.

Those sound totally reasonable and I like it! I see canals have already been greatly discussed in this "ideas" category. So I hope the devs add this because it would be a great addition.

 

[Camikaze]

I personally think it's best if ships stick to the seas. Canals could be quite interesting from an economic point of view, however (although I don't have any specifics to offer). But I'm unsure as to whether it would be worthwhile allowing for ships to move inland or overland.

 

[andy52584]

I think the simplest solution would be the return of super-forts from Civ 4. In my opinion, forts are still an under-utilized improvement and adding the ability to use them as "canals" for a single hex would improve their utility. Of course, allowing them to do the other things they could do in 4 would also be nice (base air units and connect resources to your network). But, this topic is about canals, so Ill just say that I think canals in any form are a realistic and neccisary addition to Civ if for no other reason than to allow for realistic Panama/Suez/Erie canal like situations.