Idea for the future: Unit attrition

[Optimizer]

I've missed the concept of unit attrition in Civ games*, but one can hope for it to come up in an expansion pack, in a clone or in Civ 4.

It could be integrated very simply into the Civ 3 rules.

Each turn there is a risk - depending on terrain - that a unit outside your borders loses one hit point. Some techs and wonders decreases the risk of attrition.

This would add both realism and strategic depth.

*) The Helicopter in Civ 2 is the only unit that suffers attrition.

[WarpStorm]

It would make deep strikes into enemy territory a lot harder. Some units should be immune to the effects, for example scouts and explorers.

[alva]

It would resemble logistcs somewhat , maybe make it so only when enemy borders and at war.

[Cyclotron]

Maybe it could be eliminated if you controlled roads/rails into that area (of course, that wouldn't be possible in enemy territory, only in unclaimed land).

[Yurt]

Maybe just for older times. I think from industrial times and on, attrition was minimal.

[alva]

Maybe just for older times. I think from industrial times and on, attrition was minimal.

Not really, hitler couldn't get to moscow due to lack of support lines.
Rommels tanks broke down in the dessert (was it Rommel, or was it the english tanks?)
(I'm not a history buff )
I'm sure there are many more examples to that extend, and I'm sure other people are more then willing to comply

[WarpStorm]

Professionals talk logistics.

[justjake73]

I have been wanting supply lines in Civ since day 1.

When invading, a civ should have to seize a city with a port eventually or start suffering attrition. The Allies had to seize Cherbourg quickly because the Mulberry harbors could only go so far.

This would also make the AI strategy of placing cities anywhere and everywhere unviable.

[Zachriel]

Attrition is a very important factor in warfare, especially modern warfare. Merely using a Tank, uses it up (like mileage on a car, only more so). Parts wear out with use, accidents happen, problems in requisition, etc. Tanks are often cannibalized for parts during extended wars; so even if the enemy never destroys a single Tank, at the end of the war, there are usually fewer Tanks than when the war started.

Players already complain when they lose an occasional Tank to a Spearman (which I usually attribute to attrition). Imagine the whines if Tanks were to just lose hitpoints "randomly."

[bobbo008]

you may want to consider the 1 gold maintenance cost per turn then.

i think, mainly, you can't "randomly" lose hitpoints if you only have 4... more hitpoints needed, this would make the battlesystem a little more reliable.

[Trifna]

it could be implemented, but it should in fact, rather than die from attrition, feed itself over the country, as it was done through history. You enter a house and say "gimme foooood", simply. Attrition only comes when there's no food nor house... like Napoleon's Russia campaign.

[bobbo008]

so back to supply lines? In civ3, you can basically have the Maginot line in Greenland...

[Trifna]

Well it would change a little. And an army troup could sometimes cause food problems to cities/villages where troops are passing. In history, this was really a plague for people ; like during Middle Ages where troops, should they be friendly or not, were always very bad news for farmers.

[WarpStorm]

Then there should be unhappiness and food loss any time a unit goes through a city's tiles.

[bobbo008]

hmm... i also like the idea of unhappiness where troops are present. unfortunately, most citizens are either unhappy or not, you cant have "a few" be upset...

It should be implimented though, as I dont like it when the National Guard rolls their tanks down my street... especially when its hot, because then the tanks sometimes leave treadmarks down the street, which means they must tear the whole thing up... because Wisconsin is full of smart people...