[Suggestion] Ability to Re-train and Re-Equip troops?

from Elemental Forums

Simple concept really.  It would be good if it was possible to retrain troops.  It would allow for more complex strategy and I do not think there are any real negative side effects to allowing this.  It might require a bit more programming but it's hard to see it being that difficult to implement.

Basically, it would be good if you could reconfigure troop traits (and equipment) at a cost of production.  You could "send" your unit to the barracks or whatever, in which case it disappears from the map for x amount of turns (depending on the costs of the traits you want to exchange for), then comes out after x turns reconfigured as desired.

It seems silly at the moment that you can't, once you have researched the right technology, to at least equip your troops with the armors and weapons your faction has learnt to make.

It is not much of a step further to allow trait reconfiguration at the same time either.

All in all, this would encourage early game units as you know you can prevent them becoming obsolete later on.

6,433 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top


You can already re equip troops.  Choose the upgradable weapon, armor, etc.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top


I thought that upgraded designs.  Does that also upgrade troops in the field?  My sense of it (from limited testing) was no.  I think the OP is looking to upgrade troops in the field which were produced earlier, to allow them to upgrade their equipment, but keep their levels.

Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Winnihym, reply 2

I thought that upgraded designs.  Does that also upgrade troops in the field?  My sense of it (from limited testing) was no.  I think the OP is looking to upgrade troops in the field which were produced earlier, to allow them to upgrade their equipment, but keep their levels.
End of Winnihym's quote

As long as you are in your own zone of control, you can upgrade weapons/armor in the field.

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top


In the units tab, you can choose to upgrade.  They do have to be in your zone of control.  I do wish as you upgrade your troop size from 5 to 7 to 9, you could choose to upgrade that as well.

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top


I've noticed the upgrade weapon and upgrade armor in the "other options" menu beyond the few that fit visibly in the lower left display.  But was it cost effective?  Absolutely not!  900 gold to upgrade armor on a size 5 army adn 1100 gold to upgrade weapon?  Get real.  I'm only pulling in 50-60 gold per season.  I've got 10-20 troops.  There's no way I'd ever be able to afford it.  It's much cheaper to just create a new troop, especially with "call to arms".  The mechanism is there it's just not economically balanced yet.  IMHO

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Slicksyster, reply 6

I've noticed the upgrade weapon and upgrade armor in the "other options" menu beyond the few that fit visibly in the lower left display.  But was it cost effective?  Absolutely not!  900 gold to upgrade armor on a size 5 army adn 1100 gold to upgrade weapon?  Get real.  I'm only pulling in 50-60 gold per season.  I've got 10-20 troops.  There's no way I'd ever be able to afford it.  It's much cheaper to just create a new troop, especially with "call to arms".  The mechanism is there it's just not economically balanced yet.  IMHO
End of Slicksyster's quote
  It only makes sense if they are upper level troops.  If they are lower level, get rid of them and create new troops with better gear.

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

Upgrading allows you to preserve the units experience which can be worth the cost if they've survived a few battles. There are also improvements you can research & build that reduce the cost of armor & weapons. By mid game, you should be rolling in money - the hard part is finding enough metal and crystal. GalCiv2 lets you upgrade all units of the same type in a single operation - that would be a useful option.

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting JMiddleton, reply 8
GalCiv2 lets you upgrade all units of the same type in a single operation - that would be a useful option.
End of JMiddleton's quote

I really liked the upgrading system found in "Alpha Centauri", along with the unit workshop, that both had traits and a semi complicated unit system, somewhere along the lines of Fallen Enchantress. But also had a really simple and nice interface to use it.

I think the interface parts should be the last of our concerns until they are warning about a release date within 2 months, until then it is better to find out which kind of "game mechanics" is the better ones.

I for one do not see the problem with units having wider upgrading choices, but upgrading units would be slightly more expensive, and less researches would affect upgrade cost (In my eyes only a faction benefit should be as powerful)
That also means I want to be able to put a mount on my old units with lots of xp, or upgrade the group size.
I do hope they rethink the group size system though...

Sincerely
~ Kongdej