Re: Possible User Interface Improvements
 

Maybe I'm just strange, but I actually like the fact that some of the unit icons are very similar. As you'll mostly find the units that have very similar icons are very similar in stats as well. And to me this is a good thing.

For example, I'd hate to see basic Indy Heavy Infantry coming in lots of different forms (with regards icons) as that might lead a player to believe the units were completely different in their stats and abilites as well. But they are not, as they usually only vary in a point or two on a few stats, but for the rest they are the same. So better to keep the icons very similar so that you know the units are very similar.

Re: Possible User Interface Improvements
 

I cannot deny that this is true, but in some instances the change is so slight that a difference can hardly be determined, so it is confusing when putting troops under commanders to determine which unit is which.

Here is an example of two T'ien Ch'i units. The difference is only their helmet. Although, the UI color doesn't help this situation much.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/dduckett...7ienCh%27i.jpg

Re: Possible User Interface Improvements
 

But there's very little difference between those two units - one is /slightly/ better and it looks /slightly/ different.

Re: Possible User Interface Improvements
 

Well, the fix is easy. You could just paint some symbol on the rightmost units shield and do a quick fix mod. Would take like 5min tops.

That's exactly how I view those two units (and countless of the other doppelganger incidents a well). More or less the same icon, so more or less the same unit. It's easy enough to separate the units (for play purposes) by simply double-clicking on them, so I don't understand why'd you'd want very distinguishable icons for units that were basically the same?!?

The more I think about it, the more I think I would really dislike it if the icons for vastly similar units were vastly different. Maybe JK+KO intended it to be like that, and if so, many :up::up::up: to them for having the icons the same IMO. Always suspected those two know a thing or two about making a good strategy game :)

Re: Possible User Interface Improvements
 

You can also double-click to select like units. Throw them onto a commander and right-click on one.

In some cases the difference is significant. Because the Spire Horn Warrior is brown, unit 131 looks just like 129 in the army setup screen. But only 131 has a shield, it's just really hard to see.

Re: Possible User Interface Improvements
 

Yeah I have to agree it's sometimes frustrating.

Sure the units are similar and shouldn't look vastly different, but it would be nice for some to be easier to distinguish.

In my case it's not usually a matter of separating them in army setup. As has been said it's easy enough to double click to separate them.

It's more a matter of buying the wrong ones in the first place. I accidentally click and buy ten of the wrong one and don't notice because they look similar.

Re: Possible User Interface Improvements
 

I have one issue with units looking like each other. Very often if I play LA Pythium, I'll buy an assassin instead of a serpent priest. Which is really a mistake I don't want to do. And, I know they are a bit different, but the assassin looks like a priest imo.

Re: Possible User Interface Improvements
 

I'm going to go on the record as saying that I don't really think units look too much like each other. There is the rare unit that looks almost identical to another unit almost exactly like it, but as others have said these rare units are basically interchangeable. But for the most part, even similar units are sufficiently different-looking so as not to be too hard to tell apart. And I say this as someone who would not be physically capable of reading a thing on their screen without glasses.

Re: Possible User Interface Improvements
 

My biggest complaint about look alikes is Caelum, especially MA. Seriously, most of their commanders look identical to each other. Can't they get different color robes or something?