Evolving units

[heyfrito500]

I don't know if this has been discussed before, but in case it hasn't.

I think that a great improvement would be evolving certain units. For example, you first get Tanks, and the next is the modern tank, well in between there were a lot of upgrades through time, same thing with fighters to jet fighters. Maybe make it so that small improvements (and graphics) get upgraded over time, or have targeted research for a unit that you invest in. So you start out with a WWI or earlier style tank, eventually upgrade to the WW2 style and get a +2/+1/+1 to the previous version, then to a cold era style tank (again small bonuses) before eventually coming to he modern armor style. This would keep the game continuosly evolving and make it so your WW1 era tanks aren't attacking in conjunction with your jet fighters which is just weird if you think of it.

AIR POWER:
With flight you could be granted the use of the Red Baron style fighter, eventually evolving into WW2 style (more powerful, further distance). A scientific breakthrough for jet power would signal the availability of cold era style jets (i.e. Korean war), to Migs, to F-16's etc... Stealth again would be a new discovery not building on previous techs.

Same with INFANTRY:
WW1 (mostly rifles) goes to WW2 (intro of machine guns) +1/0/0 to Vietnam style (better with assault weapons)+1/0/0 eventually coming to modern infantry.

In older eras this may not work as easily but in industrial and modern ages this would keep the game more dynamic.

Thoughts?

 

[sealman]

I don't think this level of detail would be too practical given the currrent time structure of an epic game. It might work better in a senario style setting.

However, this also seems like something that can be modded into the game using the editor.

 

[sengfossil]

sounds like SMAC. Wasn't bad at all.

 

[rhialto]

Just need to add more units to fill the gaps. No need for a special rule to describe this.

 

[brinko]

ive seen smac acouple of times whats it mean

 

[searcheagle]

I've never played it but it is Sid Meier's Alpha Centria (SMAC).

As for the idea, I would like to see units evolve by tech upgrades and by building city improvements, small wonders, and great wonders.

Currently this concept is already used in civ, both Magellen's Voyage and the discovery of Nuclear Power already increase the speed of naval units by 1 turn each.

A system like we lead to slight changes in units without micromanagement.

 

[Aussie_Lurker]

According to Pre-release info, units WILL evolve, after a fashion, using xp gained via battle!

Yours,
Aussie_Lurker.

 

[troytheface]

actually two points are well made - no machine gun units ? That was a big military step that is neglected! No WWI style red baron planes! What a graphic opportunity lost!

 

[Darwin420]

actually two points are well made - no machine gun units ? That was a big military step that is neglected! No WWI style red baron planes! What a graphic opportunity lost!

Why can I envision someone modding that graphic to put snoopy in it?

 

[slothman]

Years ago, literally, I suggested a "techs add to units." the numbers of techs, including future, helped increase the effective strength. For example, there might be a trooper unit that begins at 1A,1D. but the number of techs divided by 5 might be added to the attack while the number/7 might be added to defense. Then as you discovered more techs it would automatically improve without you have to do anything. Since future techs also were included then they would help not just score. Non military techs would also help, e.g. Medicine might allow for better medkits.