Unit Support Model

polymths · May 16, 2001, 16:11

In Civ2, the unit support model was the following:
1. Settler/Engineer - Consumes 1 surplus food from city each turn
2. Military Units - Consumes 1 surplus shield from city each turn
3. If surplus shields falls below zero, supporting city disbands some units until shield deficit is eliminated.
4. If city falls to enemy, all supported units are disbanded
5. For settlers/engineers if surplus food falls below zero, supporting city disbands some settlers until food deficit is eliminated.

Does anyone know what has been hinted at or announced as far as unit support model is concerned in Civ3? I haven't been able to find any authoritative info.

But I certainly hope it is improved. Civ1/Civ2 support model is pure crap,
especially items (3) and (4)! I mean at the very least, support should be changed automatically to other cities with shield surpluses! I do hope that the support model in Civ3 is national in scope and not this city by city crap.

To tell the truth, I never did understand the "surplus shield support" idea. What is it suppose to model? That a unit requires constant maintenance and therefore productive capacity needs to be diverted???

Also the city-by-city model never made any sense either!

So anyone know what is planned/announced for Civ3?

Also, if it is not too late, what support model would you prefer that improves on Civ1/Civ2 model?

[This message has been edited by polymths (edited May 16, 2001).]

Roman · May 16, 2001, 16:24

According to one of the previews, the units will be supported on a national (not city) basis and support will require gold rather than shields. I don't know any further details, but even this is a MAJOR advance from the Civ 2 model.

May 16, 2001, 16:35

It was really simple, surplus shields was used for building a new unit or city improvement. If your cities were producing 20 shields per turn and new unit cost 20 shields, it would take one turn to build that unit. Also city improvement costing a 100 shields would take 5 turns to complete.
In CTP 1 & 2 the cost of units and settlers were supported by the whole Civ. (Production), and not just the city building the Unit. However the Production of a given city determined how long (turns) it would take to build a unit or Improvement.

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