User Guide

UNITS
OVERVIEW
In Civilization IV, the term “unit” refers to anything that can
move around the map.There are a number of different types of
units in play – military units, workers, settlers, missionaries and
so forth – with military units forming the bulk of them.At the
start of the game, you’ll probably have two units: a settler and
a warrior or scout.
UNIT CATEGORIES, STATISTICS AND
ABILITIES
In Civilization IV, units are divided into several categories.
These include “melee units,” “mounted units,” “air units,” and
the like. In addition, all units have two basic statistics (or
“stats”): movement speed and combat strength. Many units
have one or more special abilities, as well.You can find out a
unit’s classification, stats and abilities by [Rolling Over] the
unit or by checking it out in the Civilopedia.
UNIT CATEGORIES
Units are grouped into 11 different categories. During the
early part of the game you are likely to run into the first seven.
The categories are:
Civilian (Non-Combat) Units: settlers, workers, work
boats, etc.
Recon Units: scouts, explorers, etc.
Archery Units: archers, longbowmen, crossbowmen, etc.
Mounted Units: chariots, horsemen, war elephants, etc.
Melee Units: warriors, axemen, spearmen, swordsmen, etc.
Siege Weapons: Catapults, cannon, etc.
Naval Units:Work boats, galleys,caravels, ironclads, carriers, etc.
Gunpowder Units: Musketmen, riflemen, infantry, etc.
Armored Units: Tanks, panzers, modern armor.
Air Units: Fighters, bombers, etc.
Helicopter Units: Gunships.
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MOVEMENT SPEED
A unit’s movement speed determines how quickly the unit can
move around the map. Movement speeds range from 1 to 8
(though early units most often have movements of 1 or 2).
Air units have special rules governing their movement. See the
“Air Units” section (page 128) for details.
COMBAT STRENGTH
A unit’s combat strength determines how tough the unit is
when fighting an enemy unit. Early unit combat strengths range
from 1 to 6, while modern units have strengths of up to 40.
Some units have combat strengths of 0, which indicates that
the unit cannot fight or has special rules governing its combat.
See later sections for more details.
UNIT ABILITIES
As discussed above, many units have special abilities in addition
to movement and combat. Military units most often have com-
bat-related abilities – bonuses when attacking specific kinds of
units or when defending in specific terrain, for instance. Once
again, check the unit’s entry in the Civilopedia or [roll over] a
unit to see its special abilities.
EARLY UNIT CATEGORIES, STATS
AND ABILITIES
Following are the units you are most likely to possess and/or
run into during the early turns in a game:
W
ARRIOR
Melee Unit, Strength 2, Movement 1
Special Abilities: None.
ARCHER
Archery Unit, Strength 3, Movement 1
Special Abilities:
1 First Strike:When attacked, the archer
has a chance to damage the attacker before the
attacker can do any damage.This is negated if
the other combatant has first strike as well.
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