Exploring the ocean...not just the coast

[Sherlock]

Is there something I can research so my embarked military units can go into the ocean?

Or do I need to build boats for that?

 

[muhtesem insan]

Astronomy

 

[zyx]

You need to research Astronomy first. With Astronomy your embarked units can cross oceans.

 

[FeiLing]

However they only see 1 tile far (unless you got the great lighthouse or the commerce naval policy).

 

[RonMar]

You can build triremes, but they are limited to the coast.

When you have researched Astronomy you can embark across ocean tiles. Your triremes will still be confined to coast tiles, but you will be able to build caravels which can go on coast or ocean tiles.

 

[Shurdus]

Note that your units need to be in. friendly territory to gain the embark improvement after you research the relevant tech. Wandering scouts that are far from home do not gain the ability, even after getting the right techs.

 

[Sherlock]

Note that your units need to be in. friendly territory to gain the embark improvement after you research the relevant tech. Wandering scouts that are far from home do not gain the ability, even after getting the right techs.

Thanks, that's a helpful tip that explained something I didn't quite get before.

 

[chazzycat]

for exploring you're much better off building a caravel or 2. they have way better sight range and speed than embarked units

 

[spider1]

before Astronomy, I use work boats to explore the coast. They're cheaper and more expendable than military units and have better movement and LOS.

 

[HiroProtagonist]

Or play as Polynesia

 

[joncnunn]

However they only see 1 tile far (unless you got the great lighthouse or the commerce naval policy).

That would be what Caravels are for. (Visibility range of 4; not counting any policies/wonders/promotions that can further increase this) Also available with Astronomy.

 

[BrokTheFanatic]

I liked it when you could risk sending a tireme across the ocean. That would be something I'd welcome having back.

 

[joncnunn]

I liked it when you could risk sending a tireme across the ocean. That would be something I'd welcome having back.

I think that got banned as a "human cheat" in Civ IV.

 

[Aggie1]

I think that got banned as a "human cheat" in Civ IV.

But it added a great deal of entertainment. I remember a Demo game back at poly for civ 3 where we had great arguments which way to send the suicide ships. But back to the topic, I often use a GS for bulbing Astronomy just for the caravels which lead to more trade partners.

 

[gozpel]

I think America's units can see one tile further than everyone else, so if they build a scout and get the extra vision upgrade, they would potentially see 2 tiles further.

But if this works on water, I have no idea, still if it does they might get an extra chance to find....something?

 

[gozpel]

I think that got banned as a "human cheat" in Civ IV.

Never heard of it being banned, it was used a lot in SP-games and it was a risk you just have to take. To have a dingy going over the ocean, I think it was 1/3 or maybe 1/4 chance to lose it every turn and if it ever survived more than 4-5 turns, it was like winning on Lotto.

Human cheat I can understand, but we had to make for all those AI cheats on higher levels. But yes, the AI would never send a dingy out like that.

 

[steave435]

I think America's units can see one tile further than everyone else, so if they build a scout and get the extra vision upgrade, they would potentially see 2 tiles further.

But if this works on water, I have no idea, still if it does they might get an extra chance to find....something?

It doesn't.

 

[MarauderCH]

Maybe not entirely related to this topic, but my personal favorite is when you discover an ancient ruin and find a map and then it uncovers mostly ocean hexes. Thanks! A map of the ocean!