Truly Unique Units, Buildings and Improvements

[CYZ]

Based on this thread http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=455691

My idea for a new UU, UB or UI per civ. I would give every civ one extra, with the special benefit of not being a replacement for an existing unit. For example:

Denmark:
UU: Berserker
UU: Ski Infantry
UU: Knarr: Very weak melee vessel that may pass ocean tiles adjacent to ice or coast. (This allows it to travel to the new world, though it won't be easy). Comes at optics and is very weak in combat (1 higher movement than the trireme though). does not replace trireme (they are both buildable).


Some civs already have a UI, these don't have a replacement currently. For example the Polynesian Moai Statue does not replace an existing improvent. Other civs may get a UI that does replace somehting though. For example an idea for Zulu:

UU: Impi, spearmen replacement
UB:Ikhanda, can be built without any tech (start of game). It gives 10 xp to every melee unit and also 1 gold on any improved bonus resource. Does not replace anything.
UI: Kraal: Replaces pasture, gives 1 more production than pasture and an offensive bonus to adjacent units.


This thread is not so much meant to discuss the potential of this idea, but more to try and find a way for this to work for every civ. In the next post I'm keeping a list with ideas for every civ. Please feel free to contribute any ideas.

 

[CYZ]

List of non-DLC units


America
UU: Minutement
UU: B17
UB: Mall: comes at plastics: Gives 1 gold to every bonus resource, has merchant specialist slot.


Arabia

Aztecs

China

Egypt

England

France
UU: Musketeer
UU: Foreign Legion
UB: Salon: Comes at printing press: Cheap building that gives + 1 , and another +1 if Liberty, Rationalism or Liberty is completed. Another +1 if they all are completed.

Germany
UU: Landsknecht
UU: Panzer
UU: Teutonic Knight: comes at theology, cavalry that does extra well when fighting other religions.

Greece
UU: Hoplite
UU: Companion cavalry
UB1: Theatron: Comes at construction: gives 2 culture and a Great Artist spot
UB2: Acropolis: Buildable at pottery. Gives this town a defensive bonus, +5 combat strength. Also gives 1 culture (or perhaps faith) for every Wonder in this city. City must be build on a hill.

India

Iroquois
UU: Mohawk warrior
UB: Longhouse
UI: Totem: Totem is buildable at archery. It gives both culture and faith (1 of both), ranged units adjacent to it gain an attack bonus.

Japan

Ottoman
UU: Janiserry
UU: Sipahi
UU: Mahon: comes at compass: This ship isn't faster than the trireme, but it is more powerfull (as powerfull as the caravel).

Persia

Rome
UB: Forum: Comes at philosophy: Give +15% gold if the city is connected to the traderoute. Also gives 2 culture in the capital (adds up per forum).
UU: Legion
UU: Balista

Russia
UB: Krepost
UU: Cossack
UU: Red Army Infantry: Comes at replaceable parts. Basicly the same as the infantry unit, except it is much cheaper and weaker. Basicly a spam alternative to the infantry.
UU: T-34: Radio: Tank. attack bonus vs. other tanks. Defensive bonus against land units. Gives Russia a more modern unit to use. One of the most recognizable and effective WWII tanks.



Siam
UB: Wat
UU: Naresuan's elephant

Three ideas for UI:
Floating Market: UI, must be built on land with access to fresh water, cannot be built on hills. Provides +1 Gold and +1 food. Unlocks at Mathematics. Receives same bonuses as the trading post.
Sala: UI, must be built on tiles with a road. +1 gold, +2 science with the rationalism policy branch active, +2 with the piety branch active, otherwise +1 Happiness. Unlocks at Civil Service. (If it seems overpowered, I'd suggest that it may not be built next to another Sala)
City Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือ&#3591: UB, Provides 3 culture, 3 Faith (?), costs 2 maintenance. Unlocks at Philosophy.

Songhai

 

[CYZ]

DLC civs

Babylon
UU: Siege Tower: Weaker than catapult and range of one, but no iron requirement. Start with Cover promotion. Buildable when the wheel has been researched.
UU: Bowman
UB: Walls of Babylon
UB: Stele: Writing: + 1 happiness and gold in non-occupied cities. Reduces unhappiness from occupation with 0.5 per turn. Somewhat cheaper than courthouse.

Denmark
UU: Berserker
UU: Ski infantry
UU: Knarr: This ship may travel through ocean tiles adjacent to ice or coastal tiles. This allows it to explore the new world when travelling near the poles. It unlocks at optics, has 1 more movement than the trireme but a very weak attack.

Inca
UI: Terrace farm (doesn't replace anything)
UU: Slinger
UB: Irrigation Dam: Replaces watermill. This building provides 1 production and also 1 gold on every farm and terrace farm with fresh water access.

Korea

Mongolia
UU: Keshik
UU: Khan
UB: Yurt: May be build at animal husbrandy. It gives 1 happiness for every horse tile and also 15 xp to every cavalry unit build in this city.

Polynesia
UI: Moai statue (doesn't replace anything)
UU: Maori warrior
UB: Marae: provides 1 culture, 1 gold and 1 faith from tiles depending on Pantheatic beliefs, so God of the Sea you get 1 Culture, 1 Gold and 1 Faith from Sea tiles

Spain

 

[sukritact]

Suggestions for Siam:

Floating Market: UI, must be built on land with access to fresh water, cannot be built on hills. Provides +1 Gold and +1 food. Unlocks at Mathematics. Receives same bonuses as the trading post.

Sala: UI, must be built on tiles with a road. +1 gold, +2 science with the rationalism policy branch active, +2 with the piety branch active, otherwise +1 Happiness. Unlocks at Civil Service. (If it seems overpowered, I'd suggest that it may not be built next to another Sala)

City Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือ&#3591: UB, Provides 3 culture, 3 Faith (?), costs 2 maintenance. Unlocks at Philosophy.

My personal favorite is the Sala

 

[CYZ]

Suggestions for Siam:

Floating Market: UI, must be built on land with access to fresh water, cannot be built on hills. Provides +1 Gold and +1 food. Unlocks at Mathematics. Receives same bonuses as the trading post.

Sala: UI, must be built on tiles with a road. +1 gold, +2 science with the rationalism policy branch active, +2 with the piety branch active, otherwise +1 Happiness. Unlocks at Civil Service. (If it seems overpowered, I'd suggest that it may not be built next to another Sala)

City Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือ&#3591: UB, Provides 3 culture, 3 Faith (?), costs 2 maintenance. Unlocks at Philosophy.

My personal favorite is the Sala

Great ideas! The Sala is also my favourite, however it seems complicated with the policies. Perhaps make it something like: must be build on a road, can't be next to another Sala. I'd just give them a faith (hard to say how much ofcourse), it seems appropiate. Or perhaps a small amount of faith and 1 happiness.

 

[filli_noctus]

You may want to rethink the Greeks. The amphitheatre is a Roman development and is in the game as the Colloseum (which should really be a wonder, not a building). The Greeks built theatres, but there is already a theatre building. Perhaps call it theatron instead.

 

[CYZ]

You may want to rethink the Greeks. The amphitheatre is a Roman development and is in the game as the Colloseum (which should really be a wonder, not a building). The Greeks built theatres, but there is already a theatre building. Perhaps call it theatron instead.

Good point, I changed the name.

Also adding an idea that's better in my opinion:

Acropolis
Buildable at pottery. Gives this town a defensive bonus, +5 combat strength. Also gives 1 culture (or perhaps faith) for every Wonder in this city. City must be build on a hill.

 

[MARDUK80]

Some very good ideas

I suggested earlier that every Civ could have two unique units + one UB or UI. Then the unique abilities could be more "flexible" ie. peace orientated and such.

I would add Siege Workshop UB (perhaps a better name is available) UB for the Ottomans. They are a famous of using siege weapons (fe. fall Constantinople).

Mall UB for America

Madrassa UB for Arabia

Perhaps some sort of High Priest UGP for the Aztecs.

Phalanx UU for Babylon.

Rider UU or some modern era rifleman replacement for China.

UU Worker unit for Egypt with extra movement, faster build time or some unique promotion.

Lighthouse (UB) replacement for the Denmark which gives extra sight over water tiles and gives ZOC for them.

For England some sort of unique (UB) factory replacement (coal miners). Increases the amount of strategic resources in the city or something along those lines.

France (UB) perhaps some sort of unique Museum or Theatre.

Germany gets a unique (UB) courthouse or unique arsenal.

Greece UB Odeon.

Inca new UU, a Scout replacement or UGP.

India new UU, perhaps some unique religious unit (missionary, inquisitor, crusader etc.)

Iroquois new UU perhaps a new composite bow unit replacment; "Deerfoot" (based on the book character) with extra movement and survivalism promotion.

Japan. UB could be some modern science related.

Mongolia UB Ger.

Persia another UU. Horseman or Chariot replacement.

Rome UB Thermae

Russia UU unique tank.

Siam new UU not sure about this one. A unique longswordman?

Spain UB a unique seaport or religious building.

Polynesia another UU... no idea for this one.

Korea UB. Juche Tower replaces Broadcast Tower.

Songhai some sort of UI which generates Faith and Trade (gold). Fits with the Askia accomplishments and would suit well for the Songhai. Either Trading Post or Mine (Mint type) replacement or neither.


I didn't have the time to thing all the bonuses this time. I'll probably update the list later when new ideas emerge.

EDIT: Looks like I had a couple thought errors. As Arabia already has UB they should get new UU instead and as the Songai has UB also they would require a unit too.

 

[CYZ]

Some nice and inspirational ideas!

If you specify them I'll add them to the list.

 

[CYZ]

An idea I just got:

Blowgunner
Buildable from start of game, has a 1 tile ranged attack, 3 moves, may move after attacking and move freely through forests. It's damage is slightly lower than the archer, it melee strength is 1.

This unit can be used to go in, shoot and get out. 1 hit will kill them immediatly. Will suit the Maya or Aztec I think.

 

[Pouakai]

Awesome idea CYZ!!!

Polynesia:

Marae, provides culture, gold and faith from tiles depending on Pantheatic beliefs, so God of the Sea you get Culture, Gold and Faith from Sea tiles etc.

 

[CYZ]

Awesome idea CYZ!!!

Polynesia:

Marae, provides culture, gold and faith from tiles depending on Pantheatic beliefs, so God of the Sea you get Culture, Gold and Faith from Sea tiles etc.

Awesome way to implement religion. So you get 1 culture, 1 gold and (presumably) 1 faith? I assume you sea it as a UB? It could also be a UI but Polynesia has one already ofcourse.

 

[Pouakai]

Yeah, I'd say one of each. And I think it would be better suited as a UB, but it could work as a UI

 

[That nerdy kid]

Germany: Line Infantry (musketman): +15 experience to start: The Prussian line infantry was some of the best trained musket troops in the world.

France: Ballet Theatre (opera house): one additional specialist slot

Russia: Streltsy (musketman): 1/2 maintenance, 75% build cost. A russian style Militia, they were instrumental in the eastern expansion of Russia.

Rome: Crusaders (to represent Papal State): -50% build cost,
or
Via (road replacement): gives +20% growth bonus when connecting cities, and counts as a railroad when it is discovered (so 20% production and growth). also increases tile gold yield by 1.

England: Norman Knights: start with Blitz

Dutch (since we know what they will have): VOC Infantry: Replaces musketman, with no maintenance cost, and + 1 gold from pillaging. The East India Company was one of the main engines of Dutch Colonial Expansion.

Songhai: Sofa Archers (Crossbow): Each shot reduces enemy movement by one point. They were archers who used poison tipped arrows.

Egypt: Mamelukes (Cavalry or Knight): +1 movement

Ottomans: Turkish Bombard (Cannon): +3 attack, but setup ends movement.

 

[CYZ]

Germany: Line Infantry (musketman): +15 experience to start: The Prussian line infantry was some of the best trained musket troops in the world.

France: Ballet Theatre (opera house): one additional specialist slot

Russia: Streltsy (musketman): 1/2 maintenance, 75% build cost. A russian style Militia, they were instrumental in the eastern expansion of Russia.

Rome: Crusaders (to represent Papal State): -50% build cost,
or
Via (road replacement): gives +20% growth bonus when connecting cities, and counts as a railroad when it is discovered (so 20% production and growth). also increases tile gold yield by 1.

England: Norman Knights: start with Blitz

Dutch (since we know what they will have): VOC Infantry: Replaces musketman, with no maintenance cost, and + 1 gold from pillaging. The East India Company was one of the main engines of Dutch Colonial Expansion.

Songhai: Sofa Archers (Crossbow): Each shot reduces enemy movement by one point. They were archers who used poison tipped arrows.

Egypt: Mamelukes (Cavalry or Knight): +1 movement

Ottomans: Turkish Bombard (Cannon): +3 attack, but setup ends movement.

I think you have some awesome ideas. However, they're all replacements, while I'm really looking for UU that do not replace anything.

I like the idea for a UI that works as a road. It could come somewhere in the early medieval, that way instead of the normal road->railroad upgrade you get a road-> UI->railroad upgrade path, really unique. Could work nicely for the Romans too. They could perhaps get ''Imperial Road''.

Imperial road: buildable at engineering: takes longer to build than a normal road, costs 1 gold in maintenance, by connecting cities to the capital with an imperial road they gain +15% production.

How about that?

 

[MARDUK80]

Yeah, I'd say one of each.

But that would require removal of another UU from Civs with two unique units. It would be much easier to add two UUs + UB or UI like I suggested, since there aren’t any Civs with two UBs nor two UIs.

 

[Pouakai]

My one of each was to CYZ's question of how much of Food, Gold and Faith each Marae would provide

 

[CYZ]

I'm certainly not against civs having 1 UU and 2 UB or 1 UU, 1 UB and 1 UI. In fact, that's better for civs that are not so focussed on war. For those that are war oriented, they can get 3 UU ofcourse

Personally, I'm not against a DLC civ having no UU at all, but UB/UI only, but that's another issue altogether.

Marduk, I really like the suggestions you made earlier, if you add some bonusses and perhaps a tech when they become available I will gladly add them to the list. Remember though, I'm specificly looking for units/buildings/improvements that do not replace a standard unit.

 

[Pouakai]

In that case, what about a Longship for the Vikings? Weak and expensive, but more movement and can enter ocean tiles and cross over one tile of land. Available with Optics

 

[CYZ]

In that case, what about a Longship for the Vikings? Weak and expensive, but more movement and can enter ocean tiles and cross over one tile of land. Available with Optics

I had this:

Knarr: This ship may travel through ocean tiles adjacent to ice or coastal tiles. This allows it to explore the new world when travelling near the poles. It unlocks at optics, has 1 more movement than the trireme but a very weak attack.