Is the elephant too powerful?

[Jaguar]

I think the elephant is a huge imbalance to civ2 combat because you can often romp around with it before the AI has pikemen. When you use the big 4-1-2 guys with an early monarchy and ICS, its just too good.

I was just thinking... wouldn't it be great if you could stack them with Impi... but unfortunately they are in different games.

[Marquis de Sodaq]

It is a good unit to have at that time, but I don't think it's unbalanced. It's no stronger than a legion on the attack, and weaker than a catapult. The 2 moves mean the AI might actually be able to threaten you...

[War4ever]

while the ellies are strong, i prefer knights (mobile legion) . The ai likes to use them and will romp all over newbies if you allow the indians or the mongols access to such creatures

that said, by the time the ai has ellies....i am well on my way with my horde of dragoons/cannons/muskets if not better!

[Hydey]

Apart from the times the AI gives itself Dumbos as a starting tech to make up for its crappy grassland on river 4 whale start.

[Marquis de Sodaq]

Originally posted by Hydey
Apart from the times the AI gives itself Dumbos as a starting tech to make up for its crappy grassland on river 4 whale start.

Hydey, that spot doesn't have a single hill square! Please be fair to the AI.

[War4ever]

I remember the civ1 days when the all powerfull chariot was ones choice of attack...... that unit unbalanced the early game against the ai lol

[rah]

Originally posted by Hydey
Apart from the times the AI gives itself Dumbos as a starting tech to make up for its crappy grassland on river 4 whale start.

And where the AI will build the city anywhere but the middle of the special pattern.

[Straybow]

How long were you playing Civ1 before you "discovered" the sweet spot? That should've been in the Civ2 AI from the start.

[LDiCesare]

The only thing wrong with the elephant is it is more powerful than chariots and usually you get it sooner. Why bother with chariots when you can have elephants? It will be time to learn what a wheel is when you have smashed all those puny neighbors. Knights are far inferior, since by the time they come in, pikemen are defending cities. Plus 2 defense is worth little. Give me one crusader instead.

[rah]

2x2x duels are usually decided by elephants and horses quite early. Unless you're playing on maps large enough that you can't find each other early. Or on islands.

RAH

[War4ever]

i was talking about the ai...i guess it depends on your tech path...i prefer knights to ellies as i got the leos route an not the mono route....

[Smash]

I never had much luck with elephants.Almost always manage to find a river phalanx or a "Pikeman of Hades" city.

Definitely a kill them before they kill you unit though.A couple out of huts early can be nice

[War4ever]

agreed Smash..... ellies die at a horrible rate against river phalanx or against pikemen....many times without scratching the opposition....

i will take em for free as stated above.....but i will only build them myself under dire circumstances.... not something that happens against the ai

[TCO]

I like the sound they make.

[Scouse Gits]

It all depends upon your prefered Tech Path - I race for Crooks - so the odd Ellie en route can be more than a little useful.
Also in the Succession Games that have got a new burst of popularity, the 'chosen' tech Path can be 'somewhat confusing' and under these circumstances a vet Ellie can be a fine thing.

SG[1]