Combat is too random

[karadoc]

First strikes are listed but don't affect the numbers, because the numbers displayed are the modified STRENGTHS of the units, which first strikes don't affect, NOT the odds of winning the combat.

First strike doesn't explicitly modify the strength, but I have a suspicion that the game does alter the displayed numbers to take FS into account none the less. It quite possibly doesn't; I just have vague memories of seeing numbers that didn't seem to be right unless FS was doing something. I'm not claiming that it does, I'm just saying that I want to check it to convince myself.

Beamup, I just read the relevant parts of the thread you referenced. It seems that 5/10 == 5/5 for the purposes of a single fight. I don't know why you keep saying that this is wrong. The formulas that are given in the thread never mention the maximum strength of the units (10 and 5 in this example), so there is no distinction between 5/10 and 5/5. The combat system just sees 5 and 5. Maybe you can give details as to why you think otherwise.

 

[Radagaisus]

this part of the game is driving me insane. please, can someone explain how could I lose with one war elephanet, one axemen and two warriors against 3 skirmishers? they don't have a single bonus and I have a lot; and, even the odds are for me: 8.8 to 8.6. argggh >___<.

And why can't I attack with all my units at once?

 

[Blazer6]

You can start by upgrading those warriors as they are useless.
Try to attack with a 2:1 stack or greater.

 

[Beamup]

First strike doesn't explicitly modify the strength, but I have a suspicion that the game does alter the displayed numbers to take FS into account none the less. It quite possibly doesn't; I just have vague memories of seeing numbers that didn't seem to be right unless FS was doing something. I'm not claiming that it does, I'm just saying that I want to check it to convince myself.

It doesn't alter the numbers. The displayed numbers can, in all cases, be fully accounted for by the strengths and bonuses of the units.

Beamup, I just read the relevant parts of the thread you referenced. It seems that 5/10 == 5/5 for the purposes of a single fight. I don't know why you keep saying that this is wrong. The formulas that are given in the thread never mention the maximum strength of the units (10 and 5 in this example), so there is no distinction between 5/10 and 5/5. The combat system just sees 5 and 5. Maybe you can give details as to why you think otherwise.

Keep reading - the thread initially said that all units start with 100HP regardless of injury before the fight, but this is now understood to be incorrect. The initial post just hasn't been edited yet.

See post #48 and followups - this is where HPs begin to be discussed in detail.

 

[Arathorn]

Actually, the initial post has now been edited. But it was confusing for a while.

It appears that hps working on at least a squaring factor. A 20-strength infantry with 50 hps is about as weak as a Civ3 unit with one hp. That infantry vs. a knight (10 str. vs 10 str.) is very VERY likely to die.

Arathorn

 

[Arathorn]

Darn double-post. Sorry.

 

[cyron]

Yes, but they also usually get a defensive bonus so that the odds stated before battle is something like 14 to 10. It varies a bit with promotions, terrain +++, but still its hardly too random when the strongest almost always wins.

Edit: In other words, I am the one attacking them and thereby give them defensive bonuses

Knights don't receive defensive bonuses...

 

[SomethingWitty]

this part of the game is driving me insane. please, can someone explain how could I lose with one war elephanet, one axemen and two warriors against 3 skirmishers? they don't have a single bonus and I have a lot; and, even the odds are for me: 8.8 to 8.6. argggh >___<.

And why can't I attack with all my units at once?

The skirmishers you lost to might not have had promotions, but they did have bonuses- two first strikes, 25% hills defense, 50% hills defense. And since it sounds like you were attacking a city, where ever fortification defense it had.

What's the 8.8 to 8.6 number? Because that's going to change depending on which unit is attacking. Or did you just group all your units together and charge?

 

[henrycccc]

At least it's better than it was in civ 3.