|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The Chinese: The Power of Culture
|
 Not
every nation's capabilities match their historical context - the Chinese do not
get an overwhelming population bonus, let alone one akin to the one they hold in
the real world. Instead, China's special abilities include a 10% bonus in the gathering
of Knowledge. Knowledge is a key resource,
unique in that it cannot be bought or sold. Knowledge comes from the Scholars you
gather in Universities. As the game goes on, knowledge becomes increasingly critical
to Technology research. Holding large reserves of it after the first two Ages gives
you real buying power at the Library and in other research centers.
The Chinese player can also create
Civilians instantly. Citvilians include Citizens, who build every building
and collect every resource. You can also build Scholars, Caravans (your source of
trade wealth), and Merchants (who set up shop on the site of
Rare Resources) instantly. Rapid generation equates to China's huge population
bonus, without skewing in-game populations.
|
|
 China's unique military unit start in the Medieval Age with
the Fire Lance. The Fire Lance is the only gunpowder weapon in the game prior to
the Gunpowder Age. After all, the Chinese invented gunpowder before anyone else.
Upgrade Fire Lances to Heavy Fire Lances in the Gunpowder Age. All Chinese unique
units can be built more quickly, and at less cost, than their counterparts from
other nations.
Moving forward in history, we find the Manchu Musketeer, Manchu Rifleman, and Manchu
Infantry available during the Enlightenment, Modern, and Industrial Ages. These
powerful infantry units serve the Chinese player well on attack or defense.
China permits a certain amount of strategic flexibility to a player. While not a
good choice for early game assaults, the less expensive Chinese civilian units allow
an astute Chinese player to invest resources in technology and expansion in the
middle game. Rapid-growth infantry can hold the perimeter. Some wise Chinese players
build the nation well for the Enlightenment and Modern Ages, when most of the map
is settled.
|
Chinese Combat Gallery
|
|
1600x1200 jpg (~2.5MB)
800x600 jpg (~200k)
|
|
|
Unique Units
|
 Fire Lance - Gunpowder Infantry, Medieval
Age (III)
Earliest gunpowder unit; moves slowly, but effective against Heavy Infantry.
 Heavy Fire Lance - Gunpowder Infantry,
Gunpowder Age (IV)
Early gunpowder weapons with significant range; better range than ordinary Gunpowder
Infantry.
 Manchu Musketeer - Gunpowder Infantry,
Enlightenment Age (V)
Musketeers with excellent range and speed; they are also cheap and quick to create.
 Manchu Rifleman - Gunpowder Infantry,
Industrial Age (VI)
Rapid fire, small arms with excellent firepower; fast and cheap to create.
 Manchu Infantry - Modern Infantry, Modern
Age (VII)
Rapid fire, small arms with excellent firepower; fast and cheap to create.
|
|
|
|
