Unit Promotions & Upgrades

Unit Promotions & Upgrades - Civilization VII guide section covering The progression and enhancement of military units through promotions and upgrades is a key

Mastering the art of unit progression is crucial for dominating the battlefield in Civilization VII. Promotions grant your units powerful new abilities and stat boosts, while upgrades allow them to evolve into more advanced and potent forms. This section will guide you through the intricacies of both.

Unit Promotions

Promotions are earned by units through combat experience. Each unit has a promotion tree, offering several choices that can significantly alter its combat effectiveness and utility. Understanding these trees and making strategic choices is key to building a formidable army.

Earning Promotions

1. Engage in Combat: Units gain experience points (XP) by participating in battles, whether attacking or defending.
2. Achieve Victory: Successfully defeating enemy units or capturing cities grants substantial XP.
3. Reach Experience Thresholds: As a unit accumulates XP, it will reach specific thresholds, triggering a promotion opportunity.

Choosing Promotions

When a unit earns a promotion, a notification will appear. Clicking on the unit will open its promotion screen, presenting you with a selection of available promotions. Consider the following:

• Combat Bonuses: Promotions like "Ranged Attack +" or "Melee Strength +" directly increase your unit's offensive capabilities. These are excellent for units focused on direct combat.
• Defensive Buffs: Promotions such as "Fortification Bonus" or "Anti-Cavalry" enhance a unit's survivability. Essential for holding key defensive positions.
• Movement & Utility: Some promotions offer increased movement range, the ability to heal faster, or special actions like "Scouting" or "Bombardment." These can be invaluable for map control and strategic positioning.
• Synergy: Think about how a promotion will complement your unit's existing strengths and weaknesses, as well as its role within your broader army composition.

Example Promotion Path (Warrior)

A basic Warrior unit might have access to the following promotion tiers:

• Tier 1:
  • +10% Melee Strength: A straightforward offensive boost.
  • +1 Movement: Allows for greater map coverage and flanking opportunities.
• Tier 2 (after choosing Tier 1):
  • +20% Combat Experience: Accelerates future promotion gains.
  • Heal 10 HP per turn in friendly territory: Improves sustain on the front lines.

Unit Upgrades

As you advance through the technology tree, new and more powerful unit types become available. Upgrading your existing units to these advanced versions is a critical component of maintaining military superiority.

When to Upgrade

• Technology Unlocks: When you research a technology that unlocks a new unit type, any existing units of the previous era's equivalent can be upgraded.
• Strategic Necessity: If you are facing a new threat or require a specific capability (e.g., anti-air, siege), upgrading to the appropriate unit becomes a priority.

The Upgrade Process

1. Research Technology: Ensure you have researched the technology that unlocks the desired advanced unit.
2. Select Unit: Click on an existing unit that is eligible for an upgrade.
3. Initiate Upgrade: A prominent "Upgrade" button will appear in the unit's command panel.
4. Pay Production Cost: Upgrading a unit requires a production cost, similar to building a new unit. The cost will vary depending on the new unit's tier.
5. Unit Transformation: Upon completion, your unit will transform into the new, more powerful unit type, retaining its current promotions and experience.

Important Considerations

• Cost Efficiency: Upgrading is often more cost-effective than building a new unit from scratch, as it preserves the unit's accumulated promotions and experience.
• Strategic Timing: Don't delay upgrades unnecessarily. A modern army equipped with outdated units will quickly fall behind.
• Resource Management: Ensure you have sufficient production capacity and gold to support your upgrading efforts, especially during wartime.

By strategically using promotions and timely upgrades, you can ensure your military forces remain a dominant force throughout the ages, paving the way for victory.