Privateers

[Kolyana]

No, really, what a great unit.

Except that it sucks so bad.

[AHO]

What are you talking about?!?! With it's vicious attack rating of "1" it can disrupt shipping all over the world! Except, of course, that a galley will BLOW IT OUT OF THE WATER.

They should have made it more interesting by, first, actually giving it some teeth with a decent attack ability, but second, allow you to do some pirating with it (different game, I know). If you spot a fat juicy galleon, you should be able to attack it, not necessarily sink it, but earn some gold for your trouble--a booty-- ya know, give it some sort of value. As it is, I say to any newbies trying to decide whether or not to build any, don't bother. They're worthless.

[Venger]

I've already changed mine to a 2(1)/1/3 unit, and was in fact thinking of making it a 4 move unit - I do need to examine the shield cost in light of this though.

I've posted elsewhere than a privateer unit should have a blockade ability, that being if it is within the city radius of a cities port, that port cannot trade goods. That'd make it a real fun unit, and reflect the era of piracy pretty well...

I find it hard to believe a game with Sid's name would treat Pirates so badly! Arrggh!!

Venger

[xane]

The "Privateer", with a much better attack, should have been the English Unique Unit.

[Sytass]

The Dutch and French had very venerable privateers, too. I think the unique English unit is doing fine. After all, piracy was not only conducted by English privateers.

[xane]

I beg to differ, a Privateer was more than a regular pirate, they had access to the best weaponry, it was the English who used them as a fundemental part of their strategy.

[EEKthedog]

Why aren't the dutch not in civ3?

They were world power #1 in the 17th century

[Sytass]

Xane, while the English maybe pulled the privateering business off pretty professional, other contenders of Spain also sponsored pirates (often outlawing them after they had served their purpose). Besides, the English high tide was in 19th century, the age of their impressive frigates ruling the waves, therefore even more fitting the English. Well, Highland Infantry would be suitable, too, but then they would share the unique unit with the French.

EEK, the Portuguese and the Poenicians were the greatest trading nations at their high time - maybe with an add on more nations will be introduced.

[Sabre2th]

The idea of privateers is fine as it is. They are just horribly underpowered.

[History Guy]

It's a shame you find the Privateers so bad (I still don't know what they do, as I'm still awaiting my copy from PA), as poor old Abe Lincoln was caused a lot of grief by them during the first year of the American Civil War.

[Jahi]

C.S.S. Alabama anyone?