+1 for (optionally) turning off automatic designs.

I hate it when the AI clutters up my unit selection every time I research a new piece of equipment.

I am aware of this and I retire the AI's designs as soon as they come up, but it's still a nuisance. It gets extra annoying if you research a number of weapons/magic techs in quick succession and you need to clear up the AI latest wonderful design that takes 10+ Elementium per unit every couple of turns.

one question:  when you retire  a design, does that destroy any units you built that have that design?

Awww c'mon.  You know you'd get lonely without all those archer designs around to keep you company.  Why, there's one for every occasion!

Gal Civ 2 has an option to turn off automatic unit design. Elemental should have that too.

Yes,  +1 for turning off auto new troop designs.  Typically, when I research a new weapon, armor, the display does not update until the followig turn.  So, if I want that bow, etc on a unit, I must create a new type.  Then next turn, all the 'saved' versions of that same type clutter up the window.  Anyone sle have this happen?

BTW, thank you for answer about retiring unit types and actual units ...