Railroads?

[Daz]

I think the railroad zero movement cost is ridiculous. Id like to see it gone. There is no balance road-railroad. Additionally, railroads make airlifts obsolete on pangea maps...

[Dauphin]

Instant movement is a bit OTT. Factoring down to, say, 1/6 movement cost would be a good move I think.

[Skanky Burns]

I agree that it should just be a uber road. I'd go as far as 1/9th movement (easily modable), continuing the tradition of roads tripling movement.

[VetLegion]

I suggest a compromise.

1.75?

[VetLegion]

On a serous note, I don't believe they will change it. Railroads is a concept separate from roads. Perhaps they'll add some minor tweaks, like increasing the cost of passing through cities or some such, but I believe infinite movement stays.

[Brent]

I love infinite railroad movement. Same with Leo's Workshop.

[Drachasor]

They could have it start at 1/9 and move up to higher numbers with later technology. Perhaps as high as 1/18?

The problem with infinite rail movement is that it cuts down on strategy, since you can respond with your entire land army in one round. You should need to think a bit more about how you are going to place your troops, imho.

-Drachasor

[TimeTraveler]

Would it be possible if there was an option to allow infinite movement railroads as a custom rule right before the game starts? I think that way, those who like or dislike infinite movement can choose whichever one they want.

[General Ludd]

Options are always good.


And it's a good way to deal with "traditional" rules that some people are attached to, despite the rules being completely stupid.

[Deathmerchant]

I would think that adding optional rules at the game's start should be limited to more important concepts. I mean really, if you had to have an option to follow or not to follow every single rule that you could change, the list would get riduclously long. It should be limited to important game deciding options such as Victory conditions, etc.. Wether or not railroads have infinite movement is a bit obscure, don't ya think?

[Skanky Burns]

If you have it moddable in a text file somewhere, I think that would satisfy everyone.

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by Skanky Burns
If you have it moddable in a text file somewhere, I think that would satisfy everyone.

hopefully this is one of the things they are going to keep in xml or somehting

[Ka Plewy]

I think unlimited movement should remain, with some modifcations.
Call it strategic movement. I would like to see two variants, one for roads and one for railroads. Essentially any cities connected by roads or railroads may move units between them, strategicially. If by roads, the unit may not attack or defend in the city, and will be destroyed if the city is captured. If by railroad the unit may defend at 1/2 strength. These penalties represent the disorganized nature units would face in having men and materiel moved vast distances in a hurry, but is also realistic, considering the time span of the turns we're dealing with. Normal movement by railroads should be double roads.

Additionally, I'd like to see some way for units to capture enemy railroads and roads, to be able to use them for benefits of moving units, which is a fairly normal occurrence in modern warfare. A new action, called secure road/railroad, which would allow a unit to take over control of the enemy road/rail tile movement bonus. Securing lasts until the following conditions are met: peace is declared or enemy retakes and rescures the square. Units need at least 1 MP to secure the road/rail. This would increase the value of the hill and mountain railed by the enemy.

[Vince278]

I favor the infinite railroad as well. Keep in mind how many years are in each turn. You can go far on a rail in 1/2/5 years. Airlift doesn't compare to rail. Those heavy lifters cost alot. Rail can haul more cargo cheaper.

As for roads, I think the movement as it is (1/3) is a little slow. On large and huge maps I've changed roads to 1/6 or even 1/9.

[Robert]

I love unlimited movement.
In the early game defense is about strategy.

In the late game it's about having enough units and a balanced economy, and *most important* diplomacy.