The Explorer: What's the Use?

[steven8r]

I know what the Civilopeadia 'says' about the Explorer unit, but does this unit have any real purpose?

Generally, by the time I can make this unit, I have already traded World/Territory maps with all other Civs, so I know about the general geography of the world. Any nonclaimed land can be surveyed w/ ships or ground units that actually serve a purpose.

Does/Has anyone out there in Apolyton-land ever actually used this unit? How would/did you use him?

Just curious.

[Arrian]

It's good for running around pillaging resources. They're "all terrain is roads" units.

I typically don't use it, but one could. I don't think the AI kicks them out like they do normal units (they eventually will, but not right away), which allows them to get into position.

-Arrian

[Catt]

Use the explorer to spy on AI empires when you don't have an RoP. Although you will be asked to remove your forces from its territory, you can often go for many, many turns before you get the "leave or declare war" warning (try not to end an explorer's turn right next to a city), unlike the "military units" which will be expelled pretty quickly. Since explorers treat all terrain as roads, they get to move 6 tiles each turn, no matter the terrain and whether it is roaded / railroaded. By bouncing from mountain top to mountain top, you can get a good view on an entire AI empire and assess the degree of terrain development, the number of military troops roaming around, the fortifications / defenses around resources, etc.

Potential Exploit (some might consider it so, others not): During war-time, the Explorer can still move six tiles into enemy territory. If an AI resource (think rubber or oil, or a lone luxury) is within five tiles of your border and is not protected by a garrisoned troop, 2 "suicide explorers" will be able to pillage that resource - quite a blow in the early stages of a war. [I say that this is a potential exploit because I have never seen the AI use it, and it kinda seems unfair to employ a tactic that the AI seems absolutely incapable of employing].

Catt

[Arrian]

But that is the best use for the unit. I dunno if it's an exploit.

-Arrian

[August Borms]

Nope, never used it

[Catt]

Doh! Cross-post with Arrian, and then almost a second cross-post.

Yes, I don't really consider it an exploit, but some do (is using arty offensively therefore an exploit?).

Although the pillage resource gambit I described can be very powerful in certain, limited situations - and maybe I made it sound more useful than it is - I have used it or see the need / utility of usding it in maybe 2% - 5% of my games. Principally useful when fighting a defensive war against a more powerful opponent which prevents you from using conventional forces to march into enemy territory.

I do build a pair of explorers in probably 15% - 20% of my games so they're ready in case of need and can be used on the peaceful spying missions I describe.

Catt

[Arrian]

Yes, I don't really consider it an exploit, but some do (is using arty offensively therefore an exploit?).

Exactly. Refusing to do things the AI can't do would reduce you to the strategic and tactical level of the AI, so what's the point? Seems silly.

I haven't seen a lot of situations where the explorer really is useful either, so it's not a bit deal.

-Arrian

[candidgamera]

With some modding kind of like the explorer.

Moved him to available at Astronomy and gave him a
1 Defense, no attack rating - think of him as a small conquistidor travelling party - not much fighting power, but not totally defensless either - some get killed, some survive.
(I use riders and swordsmen for barbarians though also).

Use him for exploring, but also as a cheap border enforcer for "wandering zombie" armies of the AI at choke points.

Playing on bigger worlds he's probably more important too.

Also have had some anectdotal evidence that the "all terrain as roads" flag is like what the scout seems to be: a guaranteed positive result landing on goodie huts.

I give him an airdrop capability too - kind of a baby SF unit this way - for the later game. With the new add units may mod a different version into a real SF unit: 1 attack, invisible, no nationality(?), see invisible - little SF wars in the back lines over connecting resources, ect.

[Thrawn05]

Explorer, only good for huge maps with only a couple of rival civs in it.

[Denday]

never used it but good idea cat and arrian

[DrFell]

Of course if you're really bored you could set up a war between two AIs, make peace with both of them, and then send in your explorers to get a great view of the fighting.

[NeoStar]

Consider it an extra unit slot all ready to be easily edited

[Barchan]

Another fun use for explorers is to have several move with a defensive army through enemy territory. Each turn, the explorers fan out and pillage everything within a two-square radius (two out, pillage, two back to the safety of the army). It’s like Sherman cutting a path to the sea. You can also use the “LRP” strategy to send the explorers out five squares on a (most likely) one-way mission to deny a strategic resource, luxury or transport link.

A fun use, but rarely very practical. If you’re engaging purely in a war of attrition and area denial (meaning you don’t intend to capture/occupy any territory), it’s very effective. But otherwise, you’re just going to create more work for yourself rebuilding what you’ve just pillaged.

[Sleestax]

I haven't ever had a use for the explorer either. The scout serves the same purpose early in the game when it's important to discover the huts for goodies. By the time you can create an explorer, they are worthless units.

[Colonel D.]

Hmmmm. I was with you Sleestax, in that I never saw a use for explorers -- since I took their name/title literally. But Barchan, Cat and Arrian have some great ideas there! I think I'll try it next time I have the chance.

BTW, do explorers in enemy territory trigger war weariness as quickly as moving conventional ground troops into enemy territory does?

Col D.