Civ 1 used a probability and all-or-nothing result, based on relative numrical strength. A warrior could in fact sink a Battleship. Not likely, but a definite possibility.
In Civ 2, units have four basic factors figured into the calculation of a combat result: attack strength, defense strength, hit points, and firepower.
Attack strength is the likelihood of inflicting damage when attacking an opponent. Units with 0 attack strength cannot initiate combat.
Defense strength is the ability of a unit to defend. Higher strength means more likelihood that damage will be inflicted on an attacking unit.
Hit points indicate how much damage a unit can withstand before it is destroyed. The true number of hit points is the hp value x10. A 2hp unit thus has 20 hit points.
Firepower indicates how much damage a unit can inflict in a round of combat. A successful round reduces the opponent total hit points by the value of the unit firepower.
An approximation of the real formula is:
Odds = (S + (S - W)) * Shp * Sfp / (W * Whp * Wfp)
where:
S = Stronger unit's modified attack or defense value
W = Weaker unit's modified attack or defense value
Shp = Stronger unit's hit points
Sfp = Stronger unit's firepower
Whp = Weaker unit's hit points
Wfp = Weaker unit's firepower
Added Note: You can force Civ2 to use the Civ1 combat resolution when creating a game. Just check the box of Simplified Combat. But be prepared for battleships to die from attacking warriors on occasion.
