Musketeers just saved my butt

[Benjamin Miller]

I have read many things about how musketeers suck and are useless as a UU. I have to agree, but I ran into the one situation where I probably would have lost if it weren't for musketeers.

I'm playing as France right now, with the Zulu and the Romans bordering me. It's mid-middle age, nobody discovered chivalry, and after a war with both, both of which I just barly won, my military was reduced to crap, and I was trying to play peaceful anyways. Just after I discover gunpowder, Caeser sneak attacks me, with his RoP pact. I think this was to get saltpeter, as I had some, but he didn't. I started getting my butt kicked with 3 city losses in about 3-4 turns. My musketeers trigger a golden age. I manage to protect a number of my cities by rushing musketeers. By the time Caeser sends a huge number of legions into my territory, I have about 2 musketeers to use as offence. When Paris finishes the Sistine Chapel, it starts pumping out a musketeer every other turn. At this point I start reaserching chivalry, although my Iron source was taken by the Romans.

To make a long story short, after many battles with my musketeers, in which they beat many pikemen and could defend against legions all in one. I took back my cities, cut their iron supply, and discovered chivalry, although the romans had cut my horse supply. By the time I can build knights, the war is over and I have signed a peace treaty, capturing only one roman city, that was built within my boundries.

An entire war, fought and won entirely by musketeers. It was a freak occurance, but it was cool.

 

[Zachriel]

Originally posted by Benjamin Miller
I have read many things about how musketeers suck and are useless as a UU. I have to agree, but I ran into the one situation where I probably would have lost if it weren't for musketeers.

Hey, I like Musketeers! But of course, I like everything that is unique. I play for variety, and like to try every Civ, and every UU. They're all fun!

Here's a few musketeers doing their job in one of my games:
http://www.crowncity.net/civ3/Defense.htm

 

[dunk]

Musketeers aren't useless.

They just aren't any better than regular musketmen. Who uses them for attack? Not me. Your example is extremely rare. BTW, swordsmen are cheaper for the same attack value.

I think that's what people are griping about. 3/4/1 isn't a better unit than 2/4/1 when all they usually do is guard cities.

 

[Zachriel]

Originally posted by dunk
Musketeers aren't useless. They just aren't any better than regular musketmen.

Sure they are. They dress better.

 

[Dralix]

Originally posted by dunk
Who uses them for attack? Not me. Your example is extremely rare. BTW, swordsmen are cheaper for the same attack value.

Well, I've never played with France, but I can imagine they could be useful to counterattack weakend city attackers before they retreat or take out units that slip deeper into your borders to pillage.

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

That's an inspiring story you told us Benjamin Miller!

Reminds me of a similiar experience I had although not with France. It's awesome to be able to pump out a large army quickly in response to an AI invasion.

I agree though that Musketeers are very usefull

You can use them for defending key terrain or cities. You can also use them to attack as well, until your enemies can build musketmen of course.

Here's to the much maligned Musketeer!

 

[chiefpaco]

Hey, I like the Musketeers. I even use Musketmen offensively sometimes:

- in desparate situations. All my attacks have been used up. A healthy veteran musketeer will likely beat that last 1 HP defender.

- on longbowmen, swordsmen, horseman spearmen... all those ancient units the AI still has around that I don't want to waste a good attacker on.

When you look at the French Musketeer's attack of 3, you realize that they can now beat pikemen & knights. They are good 2nd attackers against anyone in their era except for the full-strength musketman.

Ok, so it's not for all situations, but I think that small edge is a worthy improvement.

Edit: BTW, cool story, BM.

BTW2, The Musketeer makes the best sounds!

 

[Akka]

Musketeers are a defense unit. There attack bonus is so a very, very tiny advantage.
They trigger a Golden Age, but they are defensive unit. So either you take the risk to have this GA triggered at a moment you perhaps don't want, either you have to not use them in defense.
Finally, before 1.17, they broke the upgrade line for defensive unit.
All in all, this made them rather a handicap than a bonus. Since 1.17, they are balanced : not really a plus, but not really a minus either.
Still stinking as UU, IMHO.

 

[Benjamin Miller]

The muketeers do have a pretty good timing for a golden age. That's about the only good thing I've found with them, unless you run into an EXTREMLY freak case like mine. I couldn't even build swordsmen, as I had no iron.