What's happening?

[Graceheart the Leopard]

I was just playing a Vanilla Civilization 3 game as England on a huge Earth map (Chieftain difficulty). I was sent my 2 veteran musketmen to attack the Egyptian city of Memphis. When I sent one of my musketmen to actually attack the city, their spearman (Which at that time, I believe it to have been a regular) killed him! I sent another veteran musketman to attack Memphis, and that time, it was killed by the now veteran spearman. Is this normal? If not, what is going on? What should I do?

 

[D.N. Pacem]

First, due to the the random number generator, spearmen can even defeat tanks sometimes.



However, in your situation, you are attacking with a defensive unit, so your loss is to be expected.

Check out the three numbers associated with your units. The first is attack, the second is defense and the third is movement. Your musketman at 2.4.1 is a better defender than attacker. In fact, his 2 attack equals the 2 defense of the 1.2.1 spearman, so, all other things being equal, you could expect to lose that battle 50% of the time.

Check out the war academy on this site for more detailed information about this and many other aspects of the game.

 

[Aabraxan]

Welcome to CFC, Farsight!

Also, the spears may have gotten a defensive boost from: (1) being fortified; (2) being in a city; (3) the terrain on which they stood.

 

[vmxa]

They could have a wall if not city sized as well. Mainly attacking with a 2 attack unit Vs probably a 4 defense after all the boost. Don't expect to do real well.