Why Can't I Choose to Build an Older Unit?

Colonel D. · July 25, 2002, 09:12

One of my pet peeves regarding Civ 3 is the inability to build infantry once I acquire the ability to build mech infantry.

While the mech units are superb, they are more expensive and cannot be transported by helicopters. This, then, is a limitation I am forced to live with, unless I want to build airborne or marine units -- not as good on defense as infantry.

So, the game should permit us to build an older unit if we should choose to do so.

Col D.

dunk · July 25, 2002, 09:16

This is certainly an unusual request.

Most people here complain that "obsolete" units show up in the build list.

One way to do it would be to take mechanized infantry out of the upgrade path. In the editor, go to the "units" tab and find the infantry unit. Find its "Upgrades to:" field and select NONE. Then you will be able to build both infantry and mech infantry at the same time.

HazieDaVampire · July 25, 2002, 09:16

airborne are just infantry with para ability!

and in real life them M2A2s (The graphic for mech infantry) suck, and couldn't stop an M1A1 (Graphic used for modern armor!).

I'd say that mech infantry are used more often as offensive in real life!
Maby the concept of mech infantry should be a unit that can carry foot soldiers! So it can carry infantry and drop them off, and add a few attack points to the infantry and carry it like an army does!

SpencerH · July 25, 2002, 09:43

Quote:

Originally posted by HazieDaVampire
airborne are just infantry with para ability!

Airborne are light infantry with para ability

Quote:

I'd say that mech infantry are used more often as offensive in real life!
Maby the concept of mech infantry should be a unit that can carry foot soldiers! So it can carry infantry and drop them off, and add a few attack points to the infantry and carry it like an army does!

The new concept with early mech inf (beyond motorized inf) was to enclose the APC and protect the inf from arty and small arms fire until the were in assault range of their target (M113 for example). Once in assault range, the troops exited and were expected to fight primarily outside the APC. The Soviet concept from the 70's in contrast was to 1) heavily arm the APC (BMP for example) and 2) primarily fight from inside the vehicle in order to maintain the speed of attack. Modern IFV's are conceptually more similar with the Soviet-style APC and IMO should be used offensively and defensively.

A reasonable mod is to add motorized inf with the same A/D stats as inf but with increased movement (maybe +1 def ?).

Marquis de Sodaq · July 25, 2002, 12:37

To answer 'why', one need only compare shield difference and upgrade cost between the two units. Building the older unit and paying to upgrade it could save you bundles of time and resources. Best to do it in the editor for the one unit you want excluded.

delsolsi · July 25, 2002, 12:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Colonel D.
One of my pet peeves regarding Civ 3 is the inability to build infantry once I acquire the ability to build mech infantry.

While the mech units are superb, they are more expensive and cannot be transported by helicopters. This, then, is a limitation I am forced to live with, unless I want to build airborne or marine units -- not as good on defense as infantry.

So, the game should permit us to build an older unit if we should choose to do so.

Col D.

I agree. In a recent game I played later into the modern age than normal and got the tech for AEGIS Cruiser's. After getting this tech I could no longer build Battleship's which are atleast equal or better in every catagory.

Catt · July 25, 2002, 14:28

Quote:

Originally posted by delsolsi

I agree. In a recent game I played later into the modern age than normal and got the tech for AEGIS Cruiser's. After getting this tech I could no longer build Battleship's which are atleast equal or better in every catagory.

You can build battleships and Aegis Cruisers at the same time - they're not mutually exclusive. Either a bug or you just missed the BB in your build queue (maybe you tried in a city without access to oil?).

Catt

delsolsi · July 25, 2002, 15:24

Quote:

Originally posted by Catt

You can build battleships and Aegis Cruisers at the same time - they're not mutually exclusive. Either a bug or you just missed the BB in your build queue (maybe you tried in a city without access to oil?).

Catt

You're right. I just looked at the save game from when this happened and battleships were available to build. I think it must have been a bug because I swear the option wasn't there before, I'll admit that theres a chance I just missed it but I don't think so. I played this game in ver. 1.21 and I just looked at the save in ver.1.29, I don't know if this affects anything or not.