pre-release info New Civ Game Guide: Ming China

[local_hero]

Initially disappointed to not see a unique district, but it kinda makes sense to continue with the great wall. Built, expanded, upgraded throughout several dynasties but... Yeah, still some sad trombon noises.

 

[JNR13]

Another Great Wall, so what was the point of civ-changing again? I feel like "now we can split China into multiple dynasties and represent more sides of Chinese culture" was a fairly significant argument for the mechanic but it seems we just get capital-focused science surrounded by Great Wall again. It feels like the game was strongly designed around playing the ages separately instead of as a "campaign".

 

[The Fanatical]

But do the Han versions upgrade to the Ming versions? Otherwise you're going to have two nearly identical-looking improvements with different effects.

I believe that is the exact reason behind the similar appearance of the two Unique Improvements. Firaxis designed the Great Wall for both dynasties with visual continuity in mind.

 

[pokiehl]

As per wiki, Xun Lei Chong ranged attack should be gunpowder-based. Not actually seen in the video, though, if it is the unit represented there.

That article is a complete mess and shouldn't be taken as a source for anything. As SeelingCat has pointed out, the talk page points out it all hinges upon a single, unverifiable source.

I hope this isn't the source the devs used to design this unit.

 

[The Fanatical]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xun_Lei_Chong
I think it does? At least it's looks like it's some sort of musket. It's an infantry unit that has ranged attack in game.

You are right. I guess I expected a cannon unit or something, since such a unit is unlocked at the end of the Exploration Age.

 

[stealth_nsk]

That article is a complete mess and shouldn't be taken as a source for anything. As SeelingCat has pointed out, the talk page points out it all hinges upon a single, unverifiable source.

I hope this isn't the source the devs used to design this unit.

Quick googling reveals all other top articles refer to the same source.

On the other hand, I don't think all unique units should be very well established through the history.

 

[Leucarum]

Less excited by the exploration era civs than the antiquity ones overall... Ming seems... Bland but probably good?

 

[Taizong4Civ7]

Reduced science for extra bureaucracy is hilarious, and a good use of a bonus/malus ability. I was hoping for a more maritime emphasis though, with a Grand Canal improvement or something. Would reflect the fact that by the Song onward Southern China was the economic and cultural centre of the broader region.

Overall, looks pretty good!

 

[Josephias]

I hope this isn't the source the devs used to design this unit.

Imho, they though of something more attested, as a fire lance (basically an inverse predecessor of a bayonet), but were missing a cool name for it. Then como along that Xun-Lei-Chong thing.

BTW "Received reduced Science" is unclear to me: ¿does it mean it receives a science reduction (-) , or a reduced amount (+) of science?

 

[Krikkit1]

Another Tuesday, another guide! Yay!

How do start bias work for exploration civs? Are they only for use in game that start in that era?

Also since we know you need horses to switch to Mongols, I'm wondering if these resources biases are more hints at unlock conditions!

As actual start biases that is only for starting in that era.... But it does provide a clue as to gameplay unlocks.

(also you don't need horses to switch to mongols... horses are one way to unlock mongols, others can be previous civs or leaders)

 

[Zaarin]

Another Great Wall, so what was the point of civ-changing again? I feel like "now we can split China into multiple dynasties and represent more sides of Chinese culture" was a fairly significant argument for the mechanic but it seems we just get capital-focused science surrounded by Great Wall again. It feels like the game was strongly designed around playing the ages separately instead of as a "campaign".

Yes, China really seems to be the civ designed for the people who are resistant to civ-changing. I don't hate the Ming design, but I was hoping for something a little more flavorful. Given the beauty of Ming architecture, not giving them a unique quarter feels like a missed opportunity. I guess I'll have to wait for Korea to satisfy that itch...

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

You are right. I guess I expected a cannon unit or something, since such a unit is unlocked in the end of the Exploration Age.

I was actually expecting the Hu Dun Pao, or Crouching Tiger Cannon, to return because it was used by the Ming.

I was hoping for a more maritime emphasis though, with a Grand Canal improvement or something.

Well, the Qing will need something.
I don't think they actually helped with the Great Wall construction, or restoration, unlike the Grand Canal.

 

[SeelingCat]

Ming Uniques:

• Great Canon of Yongle (Ability) - 永樂大典 [Yǒnglè dàdiǎn] - the Yongle Encyclopedia, commissioned by the Yongle Emperor; the largest encyclopedic work until Wikipedia in 2007
• Nine Garrisons (Civic) - 九边 [Jiǔbiān] - a defense system during the Ming Dynasty meant to protect the northern border; eventually was expanded to 11 garrisons
• Lijia (Civic) - A system of social organization used in part to gather taxes; related to baojia
• Da Ming Lu (Civic) - 大明律 [Dà míng lǜ] - The Great Ming Code, the legal code of the Ming Dynasty created at the direction of the Hongwu Emperor and lasting until the Qing Dynasty
• Divine Engine Division (Tradition) - 神機營 [Shénjī Yíng] - The Shenjiying, also known as the "Divine Machine Battalion"; an elite military division stationed around Beijing and known for their use of firearms
• Baojia (Tradition) - 保甲 [bǎojiǎ] - A "community-based system of law enforcement and civil control" dating to the Northern Song period, leaders were given control over law and order, taxation, and public works projects
• Grand Secretariat (Tradition) - 內閣 [Nèigé] - The highest institution in the Ming Dynasty, created after the Hongwu Emperor abolished the Chancellorship; screened and drafted documents for the emperor
• Ming Great Wall (Infrastructure) - 萬里長城 [Wànlǐ Chángchéng] - The Great Wall of China; the best-known sections of the wall were built under the Ming Dynasty
• Mandarin (Civilian) - 官 [guān] - A bureaucrat-scholar; generally applied to those officials appointed through the imperial examinations; etymologically collected with the same root as the word "mantra" by way of Malay and Portuguese
• Xunleichong (Military) - 迅雷銃 [Xùnléi chòng] - a type of repeating firearm invented by Zhao Shizhen in the late 16th century. Unclear how widespread this weapon's use was.

 

[Zaarin]

I know how to read pinyin, but for some reason my brain completely fails on Yongle and wants to rhyme it with dongle. I propose reformatting his era name as the Yong Le Emperor.

 

[Lord Lakely]

Yes, China really seems to be the civ designed for the people who are resistant to civ-changing. I don't hate the Ming design, but I was hoping for something a little more flavorful. Given the beauty of Ming architecture, not giving them a unique quarter feels like a missed opportunity. I guess I'll have to wait for Korea to satisfy that itch...

You're too kind. I think it's outright dull.

The Unique ability itself is flavourful in terms of bureaucracy (though it should cost Gold maintenance, not Science), but that's where it ends for me.

 

[ehecatzin]

I mean...I'm a bit dissapointed with another great wall, however it does make sense historically. Maybe it will actually be very satisfying to forward settle and control a huge chunk of a continent with Han's great walls, and keep them up all the way to Exploration. (now I really want to go Mongol and smash those walls for some reason)

I'm finding the Chinese path to be really good if you want to play the adjacency game, but not really exciting, at least for me.

 

[The Fanatical]

• Xunleichong (Military) - 迅雷銃 [Xùnléi chòng] - a type of repeating firearm invented by Zhao Shizhen in the late 16th century. Unclear how widespread this weapon's use was.

Apparently, the weapon's complex design and expensive construction made its use not very widespread.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

Mandarin (Civilian) - 官 [guān] - A bureaucrat-scholar; generally applied to those officials appointed through the imperial examinations; etymologically collected with the same root as the word "mantra" by way of Malay and Portuguese

If they are a bureaucrat scholar, why make them a merchant?

 

[Eagle Pursuit]

If they are a bureaucrat scholar, why make them a merchant?

Because the Shi Dafu were already Chinese Scholar Bureaucrat Great People?

 

[Taizong4Civ7]

If they are a bureaucrat scholar, why make them a merchant?

Well if they can’t make a living off their government wage, they need a side hustle right?