Reposting something I wrote a loooong time ago. Needles to say, I support this idea

PANCZASU wrote:
(snip)

Advanced units[/I]:[/B][/INDENT]





We all know that devs don't want the players to have more then 3 unit templates per faction (+settlers). I personally agree with this decision but I think there is a way to satisfy people who want more units without giving them more units. Sounds illogical and impossible? Keep reading.



As the time goes on, technology on Auriga reaches new stages and people learn how to use dust more and more efficiently. I think that this could be reflected on your units in a better way then by "just" giving them weapons made of some exotic alloys.



My idea is that (starting from era 4) your basic unit templates change to reflect your technological progress. Your people evolve, grow smarter and become stronger, which is reflected by improvements you create in your city. Same thing can be said about your units. So in era 4, there can be a technology which upgrades the template of your basic unit and makes it more powerful.



For example, advanced version of a Forager gains an ability to self-destruct on death, dealing a decent amount of damage to nearby units. It's a nice addition to a unit that can already come back from the dead if you don't lose a battle (last stand anyone?). Similar small additions and skills can be unlocked for Necrodrones in era 5 and Proliferators in era 6, reflecting on the advancements of the player who owns those units.



Following gameplay changes, advanced units also look slightly different. In DotE you can fight blue big scary crystal dudes or red big scary crystal dudes - the red ones have AoE attack so when you see them you immediately know that you're in for a world of pain. EL can be no different. Advanced Stalwarts have their armour imbued with sacred energy (fancy particle effect around the armour) while advanced Proliferators grow arms with mouths that help them reach enemy corpses and plant eggs in them from afar (new grotesque model).



Visual changes can be as small as a slightly new texture but they will still look nice, especially when you want to show how cool you and your units are. It also acts as a warning for other players - if they see a unit with new texture/model/particle effects then they know that something bad is going to happen.



So, what about...

Pros:[/B]

• Code-wise, it should be easy to implement
• Makes you feel like you have access to more then "just" 3 units
• Makes late-game more interesting with the addition of new abilities
• Increases the player's ego and gives him/her a sense of accomplishment after reaching later eras
  
  

Cons:[/B]

• Will require extra work from artists (although, as the game reaches later stages in development, they shouldn't have too much to do anyway, right?)
• Can take a bit of time to balance correctly, especially in combination with powerful late-game equipment
  
  

(snap)[/QUOTE]

I think i've read somewhere that in the end of the game you are supposed to build a spaceship or something. If so the gunpowder is fitting.

If i am wrong then super units all the way. As i said military section of tech tree is a bit empty

DevildogFF wrote:
I have a great idea for a future update to the future Era 6 of technology:



Super Units.



Part of the problem with the mid- to late-game is that there aren't any technologies that are super exciting. The unit techs are unlocked in the first two eras and then....



Nothing.



Well, nothing but more bonuses and some cool buildings, but nothing quite as visually awesome or potentially game changing as another unit.



So something that I think would be really cool to see in the future is the addition of one super unit per faction that would



[LIST=1]

Look Awesome/Formidable

Be Potentially Game-Breaking-ish

Be Expensive/Very Powerful

[/LIST]



This is similar to other 4X's where the end-game tech can provide easier ways to "mop up" the remaining players and possibly provide some awesome end-game fireworks.



Also, it provides something completely awesome and exciting to look forward to towards the endgame.



So, the Necrophage can have a super bug that may spit high-damage corrosive acid and also have a devastating melee attack (think StarCraft's hydralisk on steroids), and the Ardent Mages could have a super unit made of pure energy, and the Vaulters could have a rudimentary tank....



The list goes on.



What do you guys think?

Ye, sounds cool, Titans-like units for end game, Epic battle incoming



This would be an awesome expansion, with a new faction based on those super-units !

+1 from me. It would nice to see some end-game units stomping across the map striking terror and cutting wide swaths of destruction

I seriously doubt gunpowder will be available. It wouldn't fit in to the lore.



That's why I think super units would work well to break up the late-game tedium.

Dont know about super units but i had some thoughts yesterday while playing. What kind of weapons may be on Era 5 and 6, gunpowder?

Still you have a point. After mid game technologys weapon sections are kinda blunt. Barracks and more defence points. We need something to spice things up