Civ V - Gods and Kings Pre-Order

[Jarhead0331]

If you take off the "Ethiopian" or "French" or "Incan" label, you get some interesting distinctions that make for fun options in the game.

Then what's the point of having a historical based strategy game?  If its going to be completely arbitrary from a historical perspective, the game might as well just be Alpha Centauri with made up factions. That is something that is much more believable than an elite ethiopian military.

[bayonetbrant]

^  Keep in mind that throughout history, the Ethiopians managed to not be conquered by a lot of people, and fought pretty well against the Italians in the inter-war years.  But going back over a long time, the Axumites and Zagwe reign were pretty powerful, and Ethiopia was one of the very few lands in Africa *not* to be colonized the way pretty much everywhere else in Africa was.  Even the Italian occupation was more of a conjuring sovereign state than a colonial action.

Are they the French Foreign Legion?  Certainly not.  But over the long haul, they stack up decent enough.

[Jarhead0331]

Are they the French Foreign Legion?  Certainly not.  But over the long haul, they stack up decent enough.

OK, but a 20% combat bonus against any units belonging to a civilization with more cities than Ethiopia? Just seems unbalanced to me. 

[bayonetbrant]

not really - the combat values have changed significantly in this version.  It was weird the first time I saw a warrior hit a brute and see "-27" as the damage float over the brute.

[mikeck]

As long as his spear doesn't blow up my tank...I'm good

[Gusington]

Is there an 'Italian' civ that I can use to bring Ethiopia under my heel? It is 100 degrees in NYC today and playing an Ethiopia-based game seems appropriate.

[tgb]

Civ has always had historical "flavor" without being historically accurate.  (Hint:  The Egyptians didn't really launch a rocket to Alpha Centauri in 1726.  You can look it up.)  It's more about the forces that shape society and how cultures relate to each other.  Using real name for the Civs gives the player something to relate to.

If it's historical accuracy you're after, stick with Paradox and EU 2.

[bayonetbrant]

Is there an 'Italian' civ that I can use to bring Ethiopia under my heel? It is 100 degrees in NYC today and playing an Ethiopia-based game seems appropriate.

uh... Rome?

[Jarhead0331]

Civ has always had historical "flavor" without being historically accurate.  (Hint:  The Egyptians didn't really launch a rocket to Alpha Centauri in 1726.  You can look it up.)  It's more about the forces that shape society and how cultures relate to each other.  Using real name for the Civs gives the player something to relate to.

If it's historical accuracy you're after, stick with Paradox and EU 2.

You don't have to be flippant about it.  I thought my point was clear enough. I'm not arguing that the game shouldn't take certain liberties with historical accuracy, but the developers are claiming that certain bonuses were given to certain factions based upon true historical events and trends.  I'm simply stating my opinion that a 20% combat bonus to Ethiopian units against any enemy unit that is a part of a larger faction is not reasonable from a historical perspective and seems somewhat unbalanced.

[bayonetbrant]

I'm simply stating my opinion that a 20% combat bonus to Ethiopian units against any enemy unit that is a part of a larger faction is not reasonable from a historical perspective and seems somewhat unbalanced.

I haven't played the Ethiopians - or against them - yet.  But it's likely that your comments could be decoupled, so that while it might *not* be reasonable historically, it could be quite well-balanced.  Or vice versa (but probably not).

When I run into them I'll let you know.

Now stop asking questions, y'all - I'm trying to freakin' conquer the world over here!

[tgb]

Civ has always had historical "flavor" without being historically accurate.  (Hint:  The Egyptians didn't really launch a rocket to Alpha Centauri in 1726.  You can look it up.)  It's more about the forces that shape society and how cultures relate to each other.  Using real name for the Civs gives the player something to relate to.

If it's historical accuracy you're after, stick with Paradox and EU 2.

You don't have to be flippant about it.  I thought my point was clear enough. I'm not arguing that the game shouldn't take certain liberties with historical accuracy, but the developers are claiming that certain bonuses were given to certain factions based upon true historical events and trends.  I'm simply stating my opinion that a 20% combat bonus to Ethiopian units against any enemy unit that is a part of a larger faction is not reasonable from a historical perspective and seems somewhat unbalanced.

Lighten up, Francis.

[Jarhead0331]

Lighten up, Francis.

[Gusington]

I am going to get this just to conquer a world with Ethiopia. It has to be the only time in the history of games that Ethiopia has been a featured faction.

[Nefaro]

Will you also assassinate Selassie?   :o

[Gusington]

I will give it the old Italian college try.