What if Mech. Infantry would require Aluminium?

player1 · March 12, 2004, 19:58

Think about it.
Wihtout Aluminium you can't build most advanced units of modern age.
Jets, Stealth Planes, Modern Armor, AEGIS Cruiser, Radar Artillery, Nukes, Cruise Missiles

But, you can build most powrful defender in the game.
And if both you and your opponent and unlucky, you'll be trying beating Mech. Infantry with Tanks.

Now, I know that in pre-conquest Civ3, this would probably be overpowered, since if enemy gets aluminium you can only use Infantry for defense, but now in Conquests there is TOW to help.

So what do you think?

alexman · March 12, 2004, 20:29

I think that the AI would suffer most of the time because you can usually cut off his aluminum easily. And the poor AI usually relies more heavily than the human on defensive units.

On the other hand, like the resource scarcity effect of C3C in general, the lack of aluminum for some civs but not for others would encourage the emergence of killer AIs.

Interesting idea, as usual.

player1 · March 12, 2004, 21:54

Quote:

I think that the AI would suffer most of the time because you can usually cut off his aluminum easily.

As you can oil and rubber too.

EDIT:
The thing that bothers me in normal game are usually situations in which both sides in the war have no aluminium.
In that case, Tanks can't do a thing against Mech. Infantry (without some heavy bombardment, but I don't think that AI is capable of using it effectively).

As side effect, Tank era is slightly prolonged, since you'll need both rocketry and computers to get Mech. Infantry.

MattPilot · March 12, 2004, 23:04

problem with aluminium and armored vehicles is that aluminium is as soft as butter. Also, add to that very poision gases when being penetrated by enemy bullets.

At least thats the real world.

alexman · March 12, 2004, 23:27

Quote:

Originally posted by player1

As you can oil and rubber too.

Sure. My point was simply that whenever you weaken a defensive unit you hurt the AI more than you hurt the human. You may or may not care about the AI, depending on the goals of your mod.

Quote:

As side effect, Tank era is slightly prolonged, since you'll need both rocketry and computers to get Mech. Infantry.

Good observation, and don't forget that the average Tank era has already been prolonged in 1.20 by the removal of the Electronics requirement from Motorized Transportation.

player1 · March 13, 2004, 07:41

Well, I'm not really sure would I add this to my own mod.
That's why I put it in discussion.

EDIT:
I had another idea about scaling back attack of Modern Amor and defense of Mech, Infantry (to 20 and 15), but that would probably also require toning down defense of MA, whcih will weaken it defense against Tanks.

Harovan · March 13, 2004, 10:51

Aluminium burns, it isn't a good material for armored vehicles. The Russians learned that the hard way.

player1 · March 13, 2004, 10:58

What about Firaxians?

Modern Armor needs aluminium.

Mad Bomber · March 17, 2004, 20:33

Quote:

Originally posted by Sir Ralph
Aluminium burns, it isn't a good material for armored vehicles. The Russians learned that the hard way.

It also gives off toxic gases when it does, the Americans learned that the hard way with their first version of the Bradley AFV.

vmxa1 · March 17, 2004, 21:38

You would think those things could have been discovered before you used them in a war.

Mad Bomber · March 18, 2004, 00:17

Quote:

Originally posted by vmxa1
You would think those things could have been discovered before you used them in a war.

In the case of the Bradley, it was (thanks in a large part to an Airforce Lt. Colonel). The Bradley's ailments were numerous in the late 70's and early 80's and well documented. If interested rent the movie Pentagon Wars to see the monstrosity that the Bradley program had been before the bugs were fixed.

okblacke · March 19, 2004, 03:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Mad Bomber
If interested rent the movie Pentagon Wars to see the monstrosity that the Bradley program had been before the bugs were fixed.

You also get to hear Carey Elwes do a spotty American accent.

Mad Bomber · March 19, 2004, 11:12

Quote:

Originally posted by okblacke

You also get to hear Carey Elwes do a spotty American accent.

Ah, Yes you do get that as well. Still it was a good movie and I found it to be rather enjoyable. Also as I was born on Her Majesty's soil I don't mind the accent as much.

okblacke · March 19, 2004, 18:48

Quote:

Originally posted by Mad Bomber
Ah, Yes you do get that as well. Still it was a good movie and I found it to be rather enjoyable. Also as I was born on Her Majesty's soil I don't mind the accent as much.

Hey, it gives Americans something to crow about, after years of listening to the English grouse about how badly American actors botch English accents.