Legionaries

[SK138]

I was reading the description for the Roman Legionaries in the civilopedia and it says that they are "Nearly unstoppable on the attack, the legion was relatively weak on defense." If thats true, why do they get an extra defense point and not an extra attack point or something? Anyone have any good ideas for making this unit more realistic?

[ChaotikVisions]

Given that there isn't a good way to represent all the fortifications Rome loved to build, i'd say its alright. Just picture them as tossing up walls wherever they stop.

[shamus62]

This probably doesn't even really relate to your question much, but I think I remember reading somewhere that each roman soldier carried a sharped pole or something similar and at the end of the day they used them to stick in the ground and help fortify their position.... mayby just strongpoints or something. Don't know if thats bunk or not, but your question jarred that.

[Kingof the Apes]

Another reason is that they didn't want to duplicate UUs. Having the legionaries and Immortals ADM switched would make sense, as the Immortals were bodygaurds and Legionaries made a huge empire.

[Jaybe]

Originally posted by ChaotikVisions
Given that there isn't a good way to represent all the fortifications Rome loved to build, i'd say its alright. Just picture them as tossing up walls wherever they stop.

In the early days of Civ3, I had Legions also capable of some Worker duties: Build Roads and Fortifications.

T'was a passing fancy. Dropped it after a couple months.

[MagnusMarcus]

Roman Legions were notorious for setting up camp in the exact same way everywhere they marched. Before they could rest after a full days march they literally built a compund with gates and walls from wooden pikes. This provided for an excellent defence when there camps came upon attack.

SUDES Latin for stake or pike. The primary of two latin terms for a palisades stake, used as a perimeter defense of an encampment. Also termed a VALLES, it was a wooden stake 4 to 5 feet long, tapered to points at both ends with a cut out center hand grip. Also used to create a palisade or picket defense in front of a position prior to an enemy’s expected charge or attack.

[SK138]

If all this is true, which I think it is because I have heard stuff about it too, then why does the civilopedia say they were weak defenders?

[shamus62]

Maybe IG really REALLY believes in the "best defense is a good offense" maxim?

[Ghengis-Sean]

Probably because the Civlopedia was written by someone who really didn't know what they were talking about.

[Kingof the Apes]

Originally posted by Ghengis-Sean
Probably because the Civlopedia was written by someone who really didn't know what they were talking about.

more evidence is the Ottoman civ traits

[Zero]

WHatever the civlopedia says... the point is, the Roman UU is one of the best UU in game.

[Kingof the Apes]

Agreed. Escorts? who needs escorts?

[notyoueither]

Hmmm.

Did anyone bother to check what the Civilopedia says?

As of 1.14: 'The Roman Legionary is a highly-skilled swordsman good in both offense and defense.'

Sounds about right for what they do...

[Franses]

Re: Legionaries

Originally posted by SK138
I was reading the description for the Roman Legionaries in the civilopedia and it says that they are "Nearly unstoppable on the attack, the legion was relatively weak on defense." If thats true, why do they get an extra defense point and not an extra attack point or something? Anyone have any good ideas for making this unit more realistic?

Having read the above an idea might be to provide them the ability to make fortresses.

[SK138]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Hmmm.

Did anyone bother to check what the Civilopedia says?

As of 1.14: 'The Roman Legionary is a highly-skilled swordsman good in both offense and defense.'

Sounds about right for what they do...

I've read that too, but when you read the description the game gives for the unit, it says that they are relatively weak on defense.