It's 3425BC and I have a chu-ko-nu

[StrategeryBush]

It seems odd that a civilization in ruins would have far more advanced military technology than the rest of the world. Didn't they think to shoot invaders with their repeating crossbows or rifles? Heck, the survivors could even use said rifles to take over a new city to live in or get revenge on whoever destroyed their city.

True, because we all know that throughout history barbarians have never been able to overcome a more advanced civilization; however, I can see where a Springfield Rifle might be pretty impressive to the guy with the bronze spear.

Clearly a limit of +1 advancement, or a cap at archer/spearman is necessary for game balance.

 

[dannythefool]

Even two upgrades won't damage the game too badly. One crossbowman-scout isn't going to win a lot on his own.

I'd prefer to get one upgrade per unit max, and then just get the map or something if you hit another ruin with the same unit...

 

[Ahriman]

One crossbowman-scout isn't going to win a lot on his own.

Yes it is, particularly once highly promoted. It can easily take out 2 civs before they can stop you, in which case you have such a massive advantage that the game is yours.

 

[Shillen]

Actually, I've concluded that the Chu Ko Nu retaining its ability isn't THAT overpowered. For instance, when you upgrade it to a Rifleman, it loses its 2 range, so a lot of the time you're too damaged to hit twice anyway. I prefer the Chu Ko Nu itself so I can shoot twice from afar.

It doesn't matter how overpowered it is, it just matters that it gives yet another advantage to the player in a game that is already far too easy.

Before you argue that the AI can do it too, you know as well as I do that they can't make use out of it like a human can.

 

[zerotwo]

Well, I think its fine to get a single spearman or archer even if you don't have bronze working or archery yet. But you shouldn't ever be getting higher tech units from ancient ruins.

Proof that the makers of Civ 5 are planning for an expansion

Civilization 5: Time Traveller edition. Finding Crossbows and Rifles before 0 AD? TIME TRAVEL!

 

[asix79]

What makes more sense to me is changing ruins to facilitate promotions, not full-blown upgrades.