stack of units under attack - which one would defend ?

[Foma2]

The good thing about Sid's Civilization is that the basic rules are simple. But as you go deeper you've got more and more questions and as you find answers (by yourself or with help from others), it gets more and more interesting.

So, now I am wondering what is the actual mechanism of defence when you have a stack of military units. For example, I unload a musketeer, a canon, and a knight at the mountain square next to the enemy's city. We are at war with them. So, it quite obvious that their reaction would be quite straightforward - they will attack my units right away. My question is : defence points of which of my units would be taken into account when the outcome of the attack is calculated. Is it random? That is 1/3 probability that it would be the musketeer who would defend the whole stack, 1/3 - the canon, and 1/3 - the knight? Or is it the unit with strongest defence (i.e. the musketeer) (I doubt it from my experience) ?

And I would like to make a few comments:
- I know that the outcome of a battle is calculated using the theory of probability with defence/attack points of units involved as the basis for calculations.
- I know that it is a good idea to spread units during assault operations.
The question is quite specific and just about the way the computer choose a unit that would defend the whole stack.

 

[Osvaldo Manso]

When two or more units occupy the same square, it is only the best defensive unit that is put to the test when under attack. If that unit loses the combat, all units that occupy the same square are destroyed.

Exceptions: when a fortress has been built in the occupied square or when that square is, in fact, a city. In both situations, the units defend one at a time, always starting by the best defensive unit and ending with the worst (if losing the combats).

Please note: for determining which is the best defensive unit you need to take into account the status of the units (veteran / non-veteran) and whether the units are fortified or not. In certain cases, a unit which has a base defensive value lower than other may however be the best one, after considering the bonuses for being veteran and being fortified.

Considering your example, a veteran and fortified knight unit can defend better than a non-veteran and non-fortified musketeer unit.

 

[Foma2]

Thanks for your help. The way it works looks good and reasonable to me. I expected it would do it like that but was 100% sure.

Zulus will be destroyed tonight.

 

[Osvaldo Manso]

Thanks for your help. The way it works looks good and reasonable to me. I expected it would do it like that but was 100% sure.

Zulus will be destroyed tonight.

I'm glad to help. Please keep us informed about your crusade against the Zulus.

 

[Foma2]

The Zulus were destroyed last night (at around 1am).

 

[trada]

Fantastic. ARMOR?

 

[Foma2]

Yeap.
-> Magellan's (as I am on an island - a big one but still)
-> Bach's (to keep people happy)
-> SETI
-> ARMOR
1600 AD - I conquered the whole world - 108% on King's level with 6 civilizations.
I think it is not so bad. I reckon I could try not to destroy the last English city and boost my population a bit more and build a few more wonders (obsolete ones but still adding to the total score), and then see what my final score would be after that .