second UU

[Skallagrimson]

I agree about the option to make UUs based on play. But I thin it should be technologically based.
Example: You are the first to discover Rifling! Choose a UU:

1. Redcoat
2. Not now.

I like that idea too. The only real tech "race" currently is to Liberalism and most strategies completely warp themselves around that. But if UUs were based on several tech races out there, it would widen the field for different beelines.

1st to Gunpowder: Musketeer
1st to Guilds: Cataphract
1st to Engineering: Landsknecht

...and so on.

This isn't so much for the unit side of the game, but to make tech racing less one-track, more multifaceted.

 

[Antilogic]

We had a taste of something along these lines in Civ 3 wiyh Statue of Zeus and Knight's Templar and it was a real fun, having units noone else can have as a reward for doing something noone else managed to do.

I think Civ3's method of tasking them to particular wonders was the best way to do it fairly. Tsentom1 has a King Richard's Crusade wonder that grants you Crusaders, much like the Knights Templar in Civ3.

What I don't agree with is the idea of tacking each unique onto a particular tech and giving the user the ability to select which one he wants. The original purpose of the unique unit was to provide a flavor for each civilization, and it makes sense the base game should retain this feature. If you can just get any bonus as any civ, there is no sense in retaining the original names and costumes either--after all, why does the first civilization that puts on red coats when they get rifling get a better unit? If anything, put it in as an option like "Unrestricted Leaders", one that I can uncheck when I start playing.

You know what this means, kiddies...anything above Monarch is now impossible because the AI will get all the best UUs!

 

[rysmiel]

I think Civ3's method of tasking them to particular wonders was the best way to do it fairly. Tsentom1 has a King Richard's Crusade wonder that grants you Crusaders, much like the Knights Templar in Civ3.

I suppose that would be a workable compromise.

What I don't agree with is the idea of tacking each unique onto a particular tech and giving the user the ability to select which one he wants. The original purpose of the unique unit was to provide a flavor for each civilization, and it makes sense the base game should retain this feature.

If you think flavour is a plus.

You know what this means, kiddies...anything above Monarch is now impossible because the AI will get all the best UUs!

I think one could design a nice large tech tree such that this did not happen at that point. (Not so this didn't happen at people playing Sid+++, I suppose.)

 

[Antilogic]

I suppose that would be a workable compromise.

It's not only workable, it actually works.

If you think flavour is a plus.

YES! Flavor is what it's all about! Don't worry, it is possible to make a no UU/UB mod especially for you, just like in Civ3. I might not like the UW thread in another I&S post, but I want to keep UUs and UBs. I think your new nickname should be "Vanilla" or "Plain Oatmeal".

I think one could design a nice large tech tree such that this did not happen at that point. (Not so this didn't happen at people playing Sid+++, I suppose.)

The issue is not the size of the tech tree, but rather the AI research rate. The only way this is remotely fair is if the AI handicaps are leveled with the human's and the AI actually gets smarter as the difficulty increases. Past experience has indicated this is unlikely.

 

[ljofa]

I like the idea of a second UU - what about a third or a fourth?

At the beginning of a game, the player can choose from a selection of unique units for their civilisation, either one for the entire game or one for the early game and a second for the later game. I realise that certain civilizations will be harder to cater for but some civs have an abundance of potential.

A second idea on this theme (and apologies if this has been mentioned earlier but I'm a lazy s.o.b. who cant be bothered to trawl) is a unique land unit, a unique naval unit and maybe a unique air unit or siege unit.

Rather than having free Knights Templar or Ancient Cavalry, maybe everyone can build these but whoever is first to discover a tech or builds a national wonder can get discounted special units, say 10-20% off the construction price. Like Rhye's, I would like to see Mercenaries have a bigger presence in any future Civ games and they could spring off their own civics. The British army in 2009 still employs mercenaries, the Guerkas.

 

[Flying Pig]

Maybe, but too muchj complexity makes it less fun. I like the current system, and besides - what would you do for a Roman air UU?

EDIT: The Ghurkas are not mercenaries - Nepal is a commonwealth nation and the Ghurka regiments are tough, trianed soldiers with a permenant allegiance to HM the Queen, not mere hirelings

 

[Dumanios]

Maybe, but too muchj complexity makes it less fun. I like the current system, and besides - what would you do for a Roman air UU?

Probably the Italian fighter from RTW.

 

[Flying Pig]

Good - but do you see the point? Some civs have no notable air or sea units

 

[Dumanios]

Yep.......

 

[Danielos]

The 2nd German UU should be an U-boat.

 

[Flying Pig]

Good idea - but what about a Bismarck?

 

[Camikaze]

If you are referring to the ship, it wasn't exactly terribly unique, IIRC. It was just the flagship, like other nation's flagships.

 

[Dumanios]

America should get either

a:Minuteman(Rifleman with Woodsman 1 and Guerilla 1) 2 votes
b:F-15(Amped Jet Fighter)
c:Sherman Tank(3/4 Cost Tank)
d: Delta Force(Amped up Paratrooper) 1 vote
e: other

 

[Flying Pig]

No; Delta Force (to replace the paratrooper) or Continental Army

 

[mechaerik]

America should get the Minuteman; a musketman with high city defense and a first strike or 2.

 

[Terrance888]

We need more Non-Military UUs!

Home Steader (Builds Size 2 City and turns into a worker after building the city: Needs Emacipation )

Advocate for whoever: Missionary that gives a -50% hammer bonus if a relgious building for that type is started within X turns.

 

[Flying Pig]

How about a unique Great Person? Like a Great Politician in place of a Great General?

 

[Antilogic]

How about a unique Great Person? Like a Great Politician in place of a Great General?

I think that is way too specific.

Also, if you insist on having multiple unique units (as in, I think one is enough but to still keep the debate relevant), at least try to spread them out a little. Germany can use some medieval knight, perhaps, and the United States could use a unit from the Revolution or the Homesteader.

Inevitably, some civilizations will be forced to have UUs in the same era because they either did not survive until modern times/were conquered for long periods/etc. From a design perspective, it would be far more important to spread out the UUs for the civilizations which you can.

 

[Terrance888]

Assyria can have the 'War Machine' which is a 4 STR Catapult with a +50% City attack. They are the inventers of seige.

Also, I think there should be riverboats: Can travel along tiles that are next to a river, can attack regular units, can hold units to make them faster.

 

[Dumanios]

Rome can have the Legion,Triarii,Sagiatarii and the Da Vinci Tank.