Do you build privateers?
- Thread starter ainwood
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Ossric
Hedonistic Ruler
I used them in one game. Built 20 of them. Only to sink the ennemies galleys. No result what so ever. They're useless..
Sylith
Chieftain
I built a couple - out of curiosity too - and then figured they weren't worth the resources. Privateers as warships is a rather silly idea anyway. The whoe idea was NOT to fight. Fighting decreased profit. If they wanted them, and they probably shouldn't have bothered to include them. it might have been better to make them more like low-tech submarines. Can't be seen unless they attack or something.
Lilith
alpha wolf 64
Byte me
i tried once using the default values and totally agree that they are useless that way. I increased their a/d and gave them a small bombard. i tend to keep small fleets of them near any open tiles on my continent so i can sink any settler carrying galleys without declaring war. even if i lose 1 or 2 its worth it.
Zouave
Crusader
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2001
- Messages
- 1,603
Originally posted by Ossric
I used them in one game. Built 20 of them. Only to sink the ennemies galleys. No result what so ever. They're useless..
Of course they are useless. I modded them out months ago. Subs aren't too useful either. WHY??
The real purpose of privateers and subs is NOT to attack enemy warships; it is to attack enemy MERCHANT shipping on their trade routes. Firaxis never understood this (or did not care), and has refused to correct it. Naval warfare continues to stink in Civ 3. At least in Civ 2 we had the drama of trying to deliver frieght (or spies) by sea to the enemy territory. I could have scores of privateers on their trade route and it would accomplish nothing.
This means it is impossible to make a real WW II scenario as it is impossible to reflect the true role and importance of German U-Boats, which almost won both WW I and WW II for the Germans.
I think I turned privateers into crossbowmen in my mod. I got rid of helicopters, also.
Kaiser_Berger
Terran Emporer
I've seen the AI use one....one time....but thats about it....i built one once, and actually did manage to take out a few galleys before i was destroyed.....i think from now on i might build a few if i hae the time, and just screw around with my 'friends'
bobgote
Trousers
Good point on the U-Boats Zouave. It shows just how important sea-trade routes were. Have you actually written to firaxis and told them about this though? they can't be expected to read your mind (and if they did they'd probably go and commit suicide 
). I guess if you wrote to them on this issue, you'd have to do it for all the others too. Oh dear.
). I guess if you wrote to them on this issue, you'd have to do it for all the others too. Oh dear.
Kaiser_Berger
Terran Emporer
Ahhhh behold in absolute awe, i have had what could be called a religous experience involving the lowly privateer.....just today i built one, and by some act of divine protection i managed to destroy not one, not two, but THREE frigates....needless to say, i was shocked....but then along came an ironclad and i'm sure you can piece together what happened...lol
Kaiser_Berger
Terran Emporer
I have to also agree with the U-boat conversation....its a shame that this game can't reflect the huge role that they played....in my opinion the UU for germany could have very well been the U-boat instead of the Panzer....i wonder if anyone has considered creating something to that effect?
bobgote
Trousers
a U-boat UU would be next to useless in current game.
OmniMower
Codename Synrise
Yepp, one thing Firaxis has to do is make Naval units more valuable, more strategic...
Kaiser_Berger
Terran Emporer
quite true.....pretty much all naval activity except for a few transports is useless.....when i'm playing the AI never seems to have more than 5 ships total....kinda sucks, it would be nice to have some epic naval battles....but no such luck.....i guess we can just hope that by the time civ 4 comes around things are better
Perfection
The Great Head.
I've actually used privateers succesfully! I had a I neighboor tha was falling apart And I wanted to grab as much from him as possible so I got about 20 of them and started picking of troop transports I attacked 3 on 1 and kept building them I really slowed down their assualt force and managed to grab most of the enemy territory! Remember under certian circumstances Most anyhing can occur
Oh and I liked that idea of everything hidden nationality I can see much fun in the future with that
Oh and I liked that idea of everything hidden nationality I can see much fun in the future with that
I find Privateers lose to floating ducks(1/0) all of the time.
Seriously I have used them in a couple of games and every time they were sunk, without sinking the enemy. Either when attacking or being attacked.
I agree with Cracker they need to be modded.
Portuguese
Vassalising Spain
Privateers are useless, even with a 2-attack enhancement.
And AIs always attack them, freely...
Never build them, if not modded!!!
And AIs always attack them, freely...
Never build them, if not modded!!!
bobgote
Trousers
5 ships total? I find that they always have a bigger naval presence than me, mainly cos i build next to nothing naval-wise.
Yzman
Deity
Can you capture a city with a hidden nationlity unit? Like if I gave all my units that flag, could I capture cities?
DrJambo
Crash-test dummy
Several tips for improving the naval aspect, especially with Privateers...
1. You can take cities with hidden units (not naval ones obviously).
2. Make privateers (3,1,6) or 2 if all movement as roads with different movement points for sea and ocean. Given them a (2,1,2) bombard ability, nothing major, but enough to hassle.
3. Make them appear with Education or Astronomy, as this will significantly increase their lifespan since the introduction of the Ironclad makes them useless. They still require saltpeter (Gunpowder), so it won't bring them out too early.
4. In doing all of these you'll see the Ai build lots of the blighters.
5. I also have Caravels out with Education, and Frigates and Galleons out with Navigation, thus making age of the sail more interesting.
I also have the equivalent of privateers on land in the form of the Outlaw (Feudalism). A (3,1,1) unit, similar to the swordsman but requires no iron. The Ai also uses these effectively for their period which keeps you on your toes in times of peace.
1. You can take cities with hidden units (not naval ones obviously).
2. Make privateers (3,1,6) or 2 if all movement as roads with different movement points for sea and ocean. Given them a (2,1,2) bombard ability, nothing major, but enough to hassle.
3. Make them appear with Education or Astronomy, as this will significantly increase their lifespan since the introduction of the Ironclad makes them useless. They still require saltpeter (Gunpowder), so it won't bring them out too early.
4. In doing all of these you'll see the Ai build lots of the blighters.
5. I also have Caravels out with Education, and Frigates and Galleons out with Navigation, thus making age of the sail more interesting.
I also have the equivalent of privateers on land in the form of the Outlaw (Feudalism). A (3,1,1) unit, similar to the swordsman but requires no iron. The Ai also uses these effectively for their period which keeps you on your toes in times of peace.
Portuguese
Vassalising Spain
Originally posted by =DOCTOR=
I also have the equivalent of privateers on land in the form of the Outlaw (Feudalism). A (3,1,1) unit, similar to the swordsman but requires no iron. The Ai also uses these effectively for their period which keeps you on your toes in times of peace.
Seconded. Peace is so boooooooring.
Adam7Eight
Emperor
I believe I built one privateer in my very first game of civ3 and that was about it.
