Starting out with "conscripts"

[Gary Childress]

Can anyone think of a way to have all units in the game start out as "conscripts" instead of "regular" or "veteran"? For instance, is there a way to set up the game so that you can only draft units but not build them? I'm guessing there is no way to do this but if someone knows of any tricks...

 

[Rob (R8XFT)]

If a unit has a HP bonus of -1, it's essentially a conscript. I've done this with a unit in AD. However, I think the most it can then attain is "veteran" rather than "elite".

The other thing you can do click on "combat experience" and change the stats of "regular" so that it is a conscript.

 

[Gary Childress]

If a unit has a HP bonus of -1, it's essentially a conscript. I've done this with a unit in AD. However, I think the most it can then attain is "veteran" rather than "elite".

The other thing you can do click on "combat experience" and change the stats of "regular" so that it is a conscript.

Thanks for the reply Rob. My original intent, however, was to start all units out as "conscript", then through combat be able to earn the three more levels beyond that: "regular", "veteran", and "elite". Unfortunately I don't think it is possible to do because I think in order to "draft" a unit your city needs to be able to build that unit. I don't think there is any other way to start out units as conscript.

 

[Elephantium]

Other than drafting, there's the Enslave ability... I think autoproduction is either regular or vet (depends on barracks), so that's probably out.

 

[Rob (R8XFT)]

Gary, I did some playtesting around the HP-1 idea. The game considers these units as "regular" albeit with one less HP. It still only allows 2 promotions .

 

[Vuldacon]

Gary... just an idea but you could change the Conscription of Units Tech so each CIV has it and it is from the start. Set the Units that can be built later, requiring other techs. This way the only Units that could be built would be up to you ...such as workers.

The one problem is that the game places "X" number of units in the AI Cities from the start but you can also change that under "Difficulties Levels" in the Editor. I believe the Cities will always get at least 1 Regular Unit though.

You can also pre-place Units on your map and set them as Conscript Units from the start.

 

[nick0515]

Remember also that you have to be able to build at least one kind of military unit otherwise the game crashes.

 

[Rob (R8XFT)]

I don't know for certain whether or not this would work, but have you seen Quintillus' cross-platform editor? It allows you to put in values you wouldn't be able to in the regular editor, though whether or not it would allow an extra promotion, I don't know. It might be worth at least asking the question in the thread?

 

[Vuldacon]

Remember also that you have to be able to build at least one kind of military unit otherwise the game crashes.

nick0515... Yes,that is caused by the Game providing the "x" number of starting units for the AI and programing but you could get around that by allowing a weak Immobile Unit that can be built.

This would also help the Cities because if only conscription units could be obtained, the cities would no doubt all be very small populations.

 

[Ozymandias]

As you have to have 1 combat unit producible, make a 1-1-0 which can be built but cannot be promoted. Next, for every "unit line" you wish to build, have a slightly stronger unit -- say, 1-2-0, Pop Cost 1 -- as the "conscript" for that and EVERY unit line. Make certain they all have the same cost to make the AI build them randomly. Make Barracks available early and cheap and/or give the "Builds Veterans" ability to the Palace. Then proceed with Upgrade lines accordingly.

Best,

Oz