Chariots. Why?

[CerberusIV]

Do you ever build chariots? I mean the ordinary type, not the Egyptian UU.

I ask because I realised I have only ever built one chariot in one game and that was to see what it looked like. I usually use archers, then swordsmen or horsemen, to deal with barbarians so I don't see the point of an attack 1 unit for 20 shields.

I am thinking of making chariots stronger but wondered what other players do?

[Harovan]

I often delay horseback riding and build an army of veteran chariots, which I later upgrade to horsemen. It costs 20 shields + 20 gold for the upgrade, this price is usually easier to pay early on than 30 shields.

Arrians standard approach is build 20 veteran chariots and 10 veteran warriors, connect iron and research/trade horseback riding, upgrade (800 gold should be easily affordable with a science slider of 0 or 10%) and go bonk some AI head. Works pretty well.

[Nym]

I do not build war chariots either. I only try it once, to see how it looks like.

[TheArsenal]

I don't think I've built chariots other than out of curiosity. In part because the 1 attack point doesn't seem worth it, and in part because if I am forced to fight that early I am going with an archer rush.

[vmxa1]

I tend to not build them either, but I do understand the concept of Arrians and it can work. Now warriors to Swords is a nice move. This was not one of my favs before they could be upgraded to Med Inf. I did not want all those dead end swords, not they are able to upgrade and be useful.

[Arrian]

Arrians standard approach is build 20 veteran chariots and 10 veteran warriors, connect iron and research/trade horseback riding, upgrade (800 gold should be easily affordable with a science slider of 0 or 10%) and go bonk some AI head. Works pretty well.

Indeed, when playing the Japanese and/or if using a non-militaristic civ not named Egypt (enough disclaimers there?). Works like a charm. 20 horsemen + 10 swordsmen + ~5 spearmen = 3-4 AI empires destroyed (Monarch).

I tend not to use this with other war civs like Rome, China or Germany. I'll use some archers, then some swords/horses... piecemeal warfare. Take the AI apart bit by bit over time. It's really only Japan and other, non-militaristic civs that I'll do the raging horde with (no fighting until I unleash a massive army to take down my continent).

Egypt, of course, requires no upgrade. Just build the 20-25 chariots, some spears, and either do more research, increase the number of swordsmen, or a bit 'o both.

-Arrian

[Theseus]

Why not for China, or any other MIL with a horse-based UU?

I do.

[GodKing]

I have done like suggested above (planned upgrades) and ti works well.

Also, if it appears that I am on a pangia, huge map with lots of flat land, I may build 1-3 for scouting purposes (assuming non expansionistic - no scouts). Very situation dependant.

[Arrian]

Theseus,

I'll do it, just not on the same scale. With Japan, I will go for an all-out assault with a large number of horsemen, backed by some swords & spears. I will typically not fight before unleashing the horde.

With China (or Rome, or Germany), I'll pick some fights with archers, then I'll hit somebody with some swords, maybe some horses in support... etc. Instead of doing 1 major buildup, I fight a series of smaller wars (more oscillation). My troop strength is probably lower, but then the AI is also weaker. Plus, the archer fighting gives me a shot at an ultra-early Leader.

-Arrian

[CerberusIV]

Thanks for the comments. I don't usually upgrade troops in the early game, just build as many swordsmen as possible and rush but I will try some of these ideas.

[Shogun Gunner]

Only if the terrain is very flat...if you can't take advantage of the speed...what's the point?

All things considered...a very fragile military unit...

[Harovan]

They're not "fragile", they are next to useless. A bit scouting on flat land, pre-horse barbarian hunting, and that's about it. But as cheap unit to be upgraded to horsemen or knights it's good enough. It's so easy to get gold in the early game, but shields are scarce.

[Panag]

Re: Chariots. Why?

Originally posted by CerberusIV
Do you ever build chariots? I mean the ordinary type, not the Egyptian UU.

I ask because I realised I have only ever built one chariot in one game and that was to see what it looked like. I usually use archers, then swordsmen or horsemen, to deal with barbarians so I don't see the point of an attack 1 unit for 20 shields.

I am thinking of making chariots stronger but wondered what other players do?

hi ,

they should not be made stronger , .....

they are great to get units fast in far away cities early on and to disband them there , .....

and if you dont want to waste time with horseback riding , they are worth it , ......

have a nice day

[The Mad Monk]

I'm not entirely sure why chariots are not on a par with horsemen. Before the invention of the stirrup, and certainly in open terrain, the chariot had a decided advantage against both mounted and unmounted opponents.

That's why they were so popular back then.

[player1]

Originally posted by Nym
I do not build war chariots either. I only try it once, to see how it looks like.

War Chariots are great.
33% discount Horsemen.
And you gte them very early.