Promotions

[Grayson Bander]

I noticed that my units have stopped gaining XP after they reach level three (10/17). Is this normal? I've only had the game for a few days and have only played sparingly, but have progressed to the industrial age. I have cavalry units that have been upgraded from horse archers (3 of them atm) who I have used for most of my attacks on barbarians and defending my territory.

Will they gain XP at the next age? Are they capped because they were upgraded from horse archers? I have built barracks and have several improvements that enhance starting XP, but I am at a loss as to how to progress them further.

[Finarfin]

If they are only fighting Barbarians then they will get no more XP after 10.

[Grayson Bander]

They have only fought barbarians to this point. I have not explored outside of my continent yet, and there are no other civs with me. This would explain a lot. Thank you.

[Aro]

Originally posted by Finarfin
If they are only fighting Barbarians then they will get no more XP after 10.

Exactly. Besides that, it’s all about combat, buildings, traits and Civics.
Certain buildings can give you promotions or XP points: barracks, some wonders, and dry docks. But you mostly gain eXPerience just fighting against the players. I mean war, not Barbie raids or kitties purring in the jungle.
Very important: If your Civ is Aggressive, your units start with a free promotion (combat 1, IIRC), and some civics choices give to your units some extra xp points. I'm not at home, I can't say witch ones.

I'm sorry, my English is very bad, and sometimes is very difficult to make myself clear...
But I hope you know where to look now
Anyway, soon someone (with better English skills and better game style) will post here and answer your questions...

[Arrian]

The civics you are talking about, Aro, are Vassalage and Theocracy. IIRC, each of them will grant +2 XP. Thus, with a barracks, each new unit will roll off the line with 6XP (2 promotions). If you're playing an aggressive civ, each new unit comes with Combat I + two more promos.

There are buildings, too... Pentagon (+4XP per unit?) and West Point (?? - never built it b/c it requires a level 5 unit).

-Arrian

[khumak]

The most advanced units you could build right off the line would be under Vassalage and Theocracy in a city with Barracks, West Point, and Red Cross and the Pentagon in any of your cities. If you're also agressive every unit that city built would get Combat I and Medic I for free and start with (14? I think) xp.

Personally, I prefer to put Heroic Epic with West Point and build nothing but offensive units in that city. I build nothing but defensive units in my Red Cross city. With that setup you have offensive units that start with 3 promotions rolling off the line at double speed and defensive units that all start with medic I plus 2 promotions.

Having tanks rolling right out of the factory with city attack or collateral damage maxed is a beautiful thing... If you have Combat I for free as well from being agressive then that's just sick.

[Aro]

Thanks, khumak! Great tips...

I'll try the same configuration in my next game

I never built West Point. What is needed? Some super-promoted unit, like Pentagon or Military Academy in Civ III?

[spy14]

Originally posted by Aro

I'm sorry, my English is very bad, and sometimes is very difficult to make myself clear...

Really? I seriously wouldn't have guessed from reading that post!

[Sirian]

Originally posted by khumak
Having tanks rolling right out of the factory with city attack or collateral damage maxed is a beautiful thing... If you have Combat I for free as well from being agressive then that's just sick.

Tanks aren't Gunpowder units, so they don't get the free Combat I promotion. Mech Infantry do, though. So do Infantry and Marines, but that's it from the modern age.


- Sirian

[Arrian]

West Point, IIRC, gives an XP bonus to units built in that particular city... 4xp?

Aro, your English is quite good.

-Arrian

[Imperial]

West Point gives +4 EXP to units. I made it because I had a Samurai go on a Rampage in Greece and got him to Level 6.
He was so sick I had to name him Tom Bruise (Cruise from The Last Samurai) but he got blown up. . .

Poor Bruise. . .

[Greywulf]

It's a pity the americans don't have an aggressive leader. It would be fun to see what kind of navy seals you could make with khumaks combo.