Why no Infantry?

[Jubala]

I'm wondering why infantry is only in the game as militia in SE4? The troops we build are just various size tanks and experiance from WWII tels us tanks without infantry support is a bad idea. Now you say infantry wouldn't have a chance against the advanced technology tanks in SE4, I say they would in combat suits. Any weber fans out there know what I'm talking about. Just curious, that's all.

[General Hawkwing]

I would agree that infantry has a support function in tank combat, but I wonder about the need to include them in this game. The ground combat system is not this game's strong point and infantry would only add 1 more layer of management/coding detail.

[Noble713]

You can add infantry by doing the following:

Replacing the tank images with infantry.
Adding or altering the weapons available to ground troops to represent infantry weapons.

Examples:
Rocket Launcher
Plasma Rifle
Flamethrower

You also might want to remove the Troop Cockpit component or just rename it something like Officers. What happens if you change the troop designs so that they don't need a "bridge" component? What effect does this have on ships?


Ooooooo, I got an idea!

Instead of the ground units being individual troops/tanks, you could alter them to represent large formations, with the components being platoons or something:

Sml/Med/Large Troop ---> Company, Battalion, Regiment
Cockpit ---> Command Platoon
Cluster Bomb ---> Bomber Squadron
Ground Cannon ---> Tank Platoon

etc, etc.

Whaddya think?

[Talenn]

Now thats a pretty cool idea Noble!

I'm not sure it will be high on my priority list for things to tweak, but I will definately keep it on the back burner.

Thanx!
Talenn

[Barnacle Bill]

Building on Noble's idea, I will definately include such a mod in the next revision of my personal mod pack. I'm thinking sml/med/lrg = regiment/brigade/division, though, when you're talking about conquering planets with billions of inhabitants. The troop components then become various types of company/battalion "sub-units". The troop cockpit clearly becomes HQ Company. Infantry sub-units would add defense to the unit, tank sub-units offense, got to think about artillery. Maybe all of them add offense & defense but in differing proportions, with only artillery having the range to shoot off planet in tactical space combat (short range, maybe 2 max). Shield & armor technology improvements would translate into better defensive capabilities for all sub-unit types. It may turn out to be a little complex, with multiple prerequisites for each troops technology advance (I believe the game engine already uses that).