Civilization IV: Units

Units are always an important part of a Civilization game. In Civilization 4, instead of having separate attack and defense ratings, the units now have only one strength rating. Instead of having only a few experience levels (ex. Conscript, Regular, Veteran, Elite), now there is a new RPG-style promotions system that allows you to customize your units to make them more unique and more powerful as they gain experience. There are more than 40 promotions in Civ4. Another important change is that lots of units now have bonuses when attacking other unit types, encouraging players to have a diversified military. For example, Axemen have a 50% attack bonus when attacking melee units, and Spearmen receive a 100% bonus when attacking mounted units. These changes make combat much more interesting.

Tip: To print out a hard copy of the units table, we recommend using landscape mode.

Legend:
Str. = Strength
Move = Movement or Range
Cost = Hammer Cost (for Normal game speed)

NOTE: Information in this section is correct as of Beyond the Sword, version 3.17.

IconUnitStr.MoveCostRequiresUpgrades toAbilities
AirshipAirship
Air Unit
4880PhysicsFighterCan see submarines
Maximum of 20% damage to enemy
Anti-TankAnti-Tank
Gunpowder Unit
141120 Artillery Mechanized Infantry

Starts with Ambush
+100% vs. Armored units
Can intercept aircraft (20% chance)

ArcherArcher
Archery Unit
3125ArcheryLongbowman
Crossbowman
1 first strike
+50% city defense
+25% hills defense
ArtilleryArtillery
Siege Weapon
181150ArtilleryMobile Artillery

Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Causes collateral damage
Causes a maximum of 85% damage to enemy
+50% vs. Siege weapons
Can bombard city defenses (-16%/turn)
Immune to collateral damage from other Siege Weapons
Cannot attack amphibiously

Attack SubmarineAttack Submarine
Naval Unit
30 7180Rocketry
Radio
Combustion
Uranium
+50% vs. Submarines
Cargo Space: 1 (can carry scout, explorer, missionary, spy, or great people)
Can explore rival territory w/o triggering war
Invisible for most units
Can see submarines
Can move through impassible terrain
AxemanAxeman
Melee Unit
5135Bronze Working
Copper or Iron
Maceman+50% vs. Melee Units
Ballista ElephantBallista Elephant
Mounted Unit
8160Construction
Horseback Riding
Ivory
Unique unit for Khmer; Replaces War Elephant
+50% vs. Mounted units
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Targets Mounted units first in combat outside cities
BattleshipBattleship
Naval Unit
406225Industrialism
Oil or Uranium
Causes collateral damage
Can bombard city defenses (-20%/turn)
BerserkerBerserker
Melee Unit
8170Civil Service
Machinery
Copper or Iron
RiflemanUnique unit for Vikings; Replaces Macemen
+10% city attack
Starts with Amphibious
+50% vs. Melee Units
BomberBomber
Air Unit
168140Radio
Flight
Oil
Stealth BomberCauses collateral damage
-50% vs. Naval Units
Can destroy tile improvements and bomb city defenses (-16%/turn)
BowmanBowman
Archery Unit
3125ArcheryLongbowmanUnique unit for Babylonia; Replaces Archer
+50% vs. Melee Units
1 first strike
+50% city defense
+25% hills defense
Camel ArcherCamel Archer
Mounted Unit
10290Guilds
Horseback Riding
Archery
CuiraseerUnique unit for Arabia; Replaces Knight
Immune to first strikes
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Can withdraw from combat (15% chance)
Flank attack versus Catapults and Trebuchets
CannonCannon

Siege Weapon
121100Steel
Iron
Artillery

Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Causes a maximum of 80% damage to enemy
Immune to collateral damage from other Siege Weapons
Causes collateral damage
Can bombard city defenses (-12%/turn)
Cannot attack amphibiously

CaravelCaravel

Naval Unit
3360OpticsFrigate
Submarine
Cargo Space: 1 (can carry scout, explorer, missionary, spy, or great people)
Can explore rival territory w/o triggering war
CarrackCarrack

Naval Unit
3360OpticsFrigate
Submarine
Unique unit for Portugal; Replaces Caravel
Cargo Space: 2
Can explore rival territory w/o triggering war
CarrierCarrier

Naval Unit
165175Flight
Oil or Uranium
Cargo Space: 3 (carries fighters)
CataphractCataphract
Mounted Units
12290Guilds

Archery
Horseback Riding
Horse and Iron

CuirassierUnique unit for Byzantium; Replaces Knight
Can flank attack catapults and trebuchets
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
CatapultCatapult

Siege Weapon
5150ConstructionCannon

Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Causes a maximum of 75% damage to enemy
Causes collateral damage
Immune to collateral damage from other Siege Weapons
Can bombard city defenses (-8%/turn)
Cannot attack amphibiously

CavalryCavalry

Mounted Unit
152120Military Tradition
Rifling
Horseback Riding
Horse
Gunship

Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Can withdraw from combat (30% chance)
+50% attack vs. cannon
Can flank attack cannons, trebuchets, and catapults

ChariotChariot

Mounted Unit
4230The Wheel
Horse
Horse Archer
Knight

Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
+100% attack vs. Axeman
Can withdraw from combat (10% chance)

Cho-Ko-NuCho-Ko-Nu

Archery Unit
6160Machinery
Archery
Iron
Rifleman
Grenadier
Unique unit for China; Replaces Crossbowman
2 first strikes
Causes collateral damage
+50% vs. Melee Units
ConquistadorConquistador

Mounted Units
122100

Gunpowder
Horseback Riding
Military Tradition
Horse and Iron

Cavalry

Unique unit for Spain; Replaces Cuirassier
Can flank attack cannons
Can withdraw from combat (15% chance)
Immune to first strikes
+50% vs. Melee Units

CossackCossack

Mounted Units
152120Military Tradition
Rifling
Horseback Riding
Horse
Gunship

Unique unit for Russia; Replaces Cavalry
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Can withdraw from combat (30% chance)
+50% vs. Cannons
+50% vs. Mounted Units
Can flank attack against cannons

CrossbowmanCrossbowman

Archery Units
6160Machinery
Archery
Iron
Rifleman
Grenadier
1 first strike
+50% vs. Melee Units
Cuirassier

Cuirassier
Mounted Units

122100

Gunpowder
Military Tradition
Horseback Riding
Horse
and Iron

Cavalry

Immune to first strikes
Can withdraw from combat (15% chance)
Does not receive defensive bonuses
Can flank attack cannons, trebuchets, and catapults

DestroyerDestroyer

Naval Units
308200Combustion
Oil or Uranium
Can see submarines
Can intercept aircraft (30% chance)
Can bombard city defenses (-16%/turn)
Dog Soldier

Dog Soldier
Melee Units

4135Bronze WorkingMaceman

Unique unit for Native America; Replaces Axeman
+100% vs. Melee Units

East Indiaman

East Indiaman
Naval Units

6480AstronomyTransport

Unique unit for the Netherlands; Replaces Galleon
Can explore rival territory w/o declaring war
Cargo space: 4

Standard Ethanol Executive
Aluminium Corporation Executive
Mining Inc. Executive

Executive

Sid's Sushi Co Executive CreateCon Executive
Civilized Jewelers Executive Cereal Mills Executive

02100

Corporations:

Standard Ethanol
Aluminium Co
Mining Inc.
Sid’s Sushi Co
Creative Constructions
Civilized Jewelers
Cereal Mills

These corporate executives spread their respective corporations to your cities in the same way that missionaries spread religion. Each corporation provides unique bonuses, such as additional food or hammers per turn.
ExplorerExplorer
Recon Units
4240CompassBetter results from tribal village
Can only defend
Ignores terrain movement cost
Starts with Guerilla I, Woodsman I
Fast Worker Fast Worker 0360Unique unit for India; Replaces Worker
Can improve tiles
FighterFighter
Air Units
126100Flight
Oil
Jet FighterCan intercept aircraft (100% chance)
Can destroy tile improvements and bomb city defenses (-8%/turn)
FrigateFrigate

Naval Units
8490Chemistry
Astronomy
Iron
DestroyerCan bombard city defenses (-8%/turn), ignoring Walls and Castles
GalleonGalleon

Naval Units
4480AstronomyTransportCargo Space: 3
GalleyGalley

Naval Units
2250SailingGalleonCargo Space: 2
Cannot enter ocean
Gallic Warrior

Gallic Warrior
Melee Units

6140

Iron Working
Copper
or Iron

Maceman

Unique unit for Celtia; Replaces Swordsman
Starts with Guerilla I
+10% city attack

Great ArtistGreat Artist 02

Can start a Golden Age
Can discover a technology
Can create a Great Work (+4000 culture)
Can join city as Great Artist
Can create Civilized Jewelers corporation

Great EngineerGreat Engineer 02

Can start a Golden Age
Can discover a technology
Can hurry production
Can join city as Great Engineer
Can create Creative Constructions and Mining Inc. corporations

Great GeneralGreat General02

Can give 20 XP total to units on the same tile, joining one as a Warlord and offering unique promotions
Can join a city as a Military Instructor (+2 XP)
Can construct a Military Academy (+50% unit construction)

Great MerchantGreat Merchant 02

Can start a Golden Age
Can discover a technology
Can explore rival territory
Can conduct a trade mission
Can join city as Great Merchant
Can create Cereal Mills and Sid’s Sushi corporations

Great ProphetGreat Prophet 02Can start a Golden Age
Can discover a technology
Can join city as Great Prophet
Can construct religion shrine in holy city
Great ScientistGreat Scientist02

Can start a Golden Age
Can discover a technology
Can construct Academy
Can join city as Great Scientist
Can create Standard Ethanol and Aluminium corporations

Great SpyGreat Spy02

Can start a Golden Age
Can construct Scotland Yard
Can join city as a Great Spy
Can infiltrate another civilization’s city (+3000 espionage points)
Invisible to all units

GrenadierGrenadier

Gunpowder Units
121100Military ScienceInfantry
Machine Gun
+50% attack vs. Rifleman
Guided MissileGuided Missile40460

Radio
Rocketry

Can evade interception (100% chance)
Can destroy tile improvements and bombard city defenses (-16%/turn)

GunshipGunship

Helicopter Unit
244160Rocketry
Flight
Oil

Cannot capture enemy cities
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Flies over terrain
Can withdraw from combat (25% chance)
+100% vs. Armored Units
Flank attack vs. Cannons, Artillery, and Mobile Artillery

HolkanHolkan

Melee Units
4135

Bronze Working
Hunting

Pikeman

Unique unit for Mayans; Replaces Spearman
Immune to first strikes
+100% vs. Mounted Units

Horse ArcherHorse Archer

Mounted Units
6250Horseback Riding
Archery
Horse
KnightImmune to first strike
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
+50% vs. Catapult
HwachaHwacha

Siege Units
5150ConstructionCannon

Unique unit for Korea; Replaces Catapult
+50% vs. Melee Units
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Maximum of 75% damage to enemy
Causes collateral damage
Immune to collateral damage from other Siege Units
Can bombard city defenses (-8%/turn)
Cannot attack amphibiously

ICBMICBM01500Rocketry
Fission
Uranium
ย Can nuke enemy lands
Requires The Manhattan Project
ImmortalImmortal

Mounted Units
4230The Wheel
Horse
Horse Archer
Knight

Unique unit for Persia; Replaces Chariot
Can withdraw from combat (10% chance)
+50% vs. Archery Units
+100% vs. Axemen

ImpiImpi

Melee Units
4235

Hunting
Copper
or Iron

Pikeman

Unique unit for Zulus; Replaces Spearman
+100% vs. Mounted Units
Starts with Mobility

InfantryInfantry

Gunpowder Units
201140Assembly Line
Rifling
SAM Infantry
Mechanized Infantry
+25% vs. Gunpowder Units
IroncladIronclad

Naval Units
122100Steel
Steam Power
Iron and Coal
DestroyerCannot enter ocean
Can bombard city defenses (-12%/turn)
JaguarJaguar

Melee Units
5135Iron WorkingMacemanUnique unit for Aztec; Replaces Swordsman
+10% city attack
Starts with Woodsman I
JanissaryJanissary
Gunpowder Units
9180GunpowderRifleman

Unique unit for Ottomans; Replaces Musketman
+25% vs. Archery, Melee, and Mounted Units

Jet FighterJet Fighter

Air Units
2410150Composites
Flight
Oil
or Aluminum
Can intercept aircraft (100% chance)
Can destroy tile improvements and bomb city defenses (-12%/turn)
KeshikKeshik
Mounted Units
6250Horseback Riding
Archery
Horse
Knight

Unique unit for Mongolia; Replaces Horse Archer

1 first strike
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Ignores terrain movement costs
+50% attack vs. Catapult and Trebuchet
Can withdraw from combat (20% chance)
Flank attack vs. Catapults and Trebuchets

KnightKnight
Mounted Units
10290Guilds
Archery
Horseback Riding
Horse and Iron
Cuiraseer

Immune to first strikes
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Flank attack vs. Catapults and Trebuchets

LandsknechtLandsknecht
Melee Units
6160

Engineering
Iron

Rifleman

Grenadier

Unique unit for Holy Roman Empire; Replaces Pikeman
+100% vs. Mounted and Melee Units

LongbowmanLongbowman
Archery Units
6150Feudalism
Archery
Rifleman1 First Strike
+25% city defense
+25% hills defense
MacemanMaceman
Melee Units
8170Civil Service
Machinery
Copper or Iron
Rifleman
Grenadier
+50% vs. Melee Units
Machine GunMachine Gun
Siege Weapons
181125RailroadSAM Infantry

Can only defend
1 first strike
+50% vs. Gunpowder Units
Immune to collateral damage from Siege Weapons
Can intercept aircraft (20% chance)

MarineMarine
Gunpowder Units
241160Industrialism
Rifling
+50% attack vs. Machine Gun
+50% attack vs. Artillery
Starts with Amphibious promotion
Mechanized InfantryMechanized Infantry
Gunpowder Units
322200Robotics
Rifling
Starts with March promotion
Missile CruiserMissile Cruiser
Naval Units
407260

Robotics
Oil
or Uranium

Cargo space: 4 (Missiles)
Causes collateral damage
Can bombard city defenses (-20%/turn)

Christian Missionary
Buddhist Missionary
Taoist Missionary

Missionary

Confucian Missionary Hindu Missionary
Islamic Missionary Jewish Missionary

0240Religions & Monasteries:
Buddhism
Christianity
Confucianism
Hinduism
Islam
Judaism
Taoism

Each religion in the game has a missionary unit that you can build to spread the religion to your own cities or other’s Civ’s cities.

Like the religions, they are all identical. You can have three of them per religion on the map at one time.

Mobile ArtilleryMobile Artillery
Siege Units
262200

Laser
Artillery
Oil

+50% vs. Siege Units
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Maximum of 85% damage to enemy
Immune to collateral damage from Siege Units
Causes collateral damage
Can bombard city defenses (-16%/turn)
Cannot attack amphibiously

Mobile SAMMobile SAM
Gunpowder Units
222220

Laser

Oil

Can intercept aircraft (50% chance)
+50% vs. Helicopters

Modern ArmorModern Armor
Armored Units
402240Composites
Computers
Oil and Aluminum
1 First Strike
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Starts with Blitz
MusketeerMusketeer
Gunpowder Units
9280GunpowderRiflemanUnique unit for France; Replaces Musketman
MusketmanMusketman
Gunpowder Units
9180GunpowderRifleman
Navy SEALNavy SEAL
Gunpowder Units
241160Industrialism
Rifling
Unique unit for America; Replaces Marine

1-2 First Strikes
+50% attack vs. Machine Gun, Artillery

Starts with Amphibious and March promotion

Numidian Cavalry

Numidian Cavalry
Mounted Units

5250

Archery
Horseback Riding
Horse

Knight

Unique unit for Carthage; Replaces Horse Archer
Immune to first strikes
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Can withdraw from combat (20% chance)
Flank attack against Catapults and Trebuchets
Starts with Flanking I
+50% attack vs. Catapults and Trebuchets
+50% vs. Melee Units

Oromo Warrior

Oromo Warrior
Gunpowder Units

9180GunpowderRifleman

Unique unit for Ethiopia; Replaces Musketman
1 first strike
Immune to first strikes
Starts with Drill I and II

PanzerPanzer
Armored Units
282180Industrialism
Rifling
Oil
Modern ArmorUnique unit for Germany; Replaces Tank
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
+50% vs. armored units
Starts with Blitz
Paratrooper

Paratrooper
Gunpowder Units

241160

Fascism
Flight
Rifling

Can evade interception (25% chance)
Can perform paradrops (range: 5)

PhalanxPhalanx
Melee Units
5135

Bronze Working
Copper
or Iron

PikemanUnique unit for Greece; Replaces Spearman (Standard Civ4 and Warlords) / Axeman (Beyond the Sword)
+50% vs. Melee Units
+100% defense vs. Chariot
PikemanPikeman
Melee Units
6160Engineering
Iron
Rifleman
Grenadier
+100% vs. mounted units
PraetorianPraetorian
Melee Units
8145Iron Working
Iron
MacemanUnique unit for Rome; Replaces Swordsman
Privateer

Privateer
Naval Units

6480

Chemistry
Astronomy

Destroyer

Hidden nationality
Can attack and blockade without declaring war
Starts with Sentry

QuechuaQuechua
Melee Units
2115Axeman

Spearman

Unique unit for Inca; Replaces Warrior
+25% City Defense
+100% vs. Archery Units
RedcoatRedcoat
Gunpowder Units
141110RiflingInfantryUnique unit for England; Replaces Rifleman
+25% vs. Mounted Units
+25% vs. Gunpowder Units
RiflemanRifleman
Gunpowder Units
141110RiflingInfantry+25% vs. Mounted Units
SAM InfantrySAM Infantry
Gunpowder Units
181150RocketryCan intercept aircraft (40% chance)

+75% vs. helicopter units

SamuraiSamurai
Melee Units
8170Civil Service
Machinery
Iron
Rifleman
Grenadier
Unique unit for Japan; Replaces Maceman

2 First Strikes
+50% vs. melee units
ScoutScout
Recon Units
1215HuntingExplorerBetter results from tribal villages
Can only defend
+100% vs animals
SettlerSettler02100

Can found a new city
+50% production speed for Imperialistic leaders

Ship of the Line

Ship of the Line
Naval Units

83120

Astronomy
Military Science
Iron

Destroyer

+50% vs. Frigate
Can bombard city defenses, ignoring Walls and Castles (-12%/turn)

SkirmisherSkirmisher
Archery Units
4125ArcheryLongbowman
Crossbowman
Unique unit for Mali; Replaces Archer
1-2 First Strikes
+50% city defense
+25% hills defense
SpearmanSpearman
Melee Units
4135Hunting
Copper or Iron
Pikeman+100% vs. mounted units
SpySpy
Recon Units
0140Alphabet

Invisible to all units
Can explore rival territory
Can expose rival spies in nearby tiles
Can conduct espionage missions
Starts with Commando

Stealth BomberStealth Bomber
Air Units
2012200Stealth
Robotics
Oil & Aluminum
Can evade interception (50% chance)
Causes collateral damage
-50% vs. water units
Can destroy tile improvements and bomb city defenses (-20% turn)
Stealth Destroyer

Stealth Destroyer
Naval Units

308250

Stealth
Robotics
Oil
or Uranium

Invisible to most units
Can see stealth ships
2 first strikes

SubmarineSubmarine
Naval Units
246150Radio

Oil or Uranium

Cargo Space: 3 (Missiles)
Invisible to most units
Can see submarines
Can explore rival territory
Can move through impassible terrain
Can withdraw from combat (50% chance)

SwordsmanSwordsman
Melee Units
6140Iron Working
Iron
Maceman+10% City Attack
Tactical Nuke

Tactical Nuke

Missile

04250

Fission
Rocketry
Uranium

Requires the Manhattan Project to be built
Can nuke enemy territory
Can evade interception (50% chance)

TankTank
Armored Units
282180Industrialism
Rifling
Oil
Modern ArmorDoesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Starts with Blitz
TransportTransport
Naval Units
165125Combustion
Oil or Uranium
Cargo Space: 4
Trebuchet

Trebuchet
Siege Units

4180EngineeringCannon

+100% city attack
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Maximum of 75% damage to enemy
Causes collateral damage
Can bombard city defenses (-16%/turn)
Immune to collateral damage from Siege Units
Cannot attack amphibiously

Trireme

Trireme
Naval Units

2250

Metal Casting
Sailing

Caravel
Frigate

+50% vs. Galleys
Cannot enter ocean

Vulture

Vulture
Melee Units

6135

Bronze Working
Copper
or Iron

Maceman

Unique unit for Sumeria; Replaces Axeman
+25% vs. Melee Units

War ChariotWar Chariot
Mounted Units
5230The Wheel
Horse
Horse Archer
Knight

Unique unit for Egypt; Replaces Chariot
Immune to First Strikes
Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
Can withdraw from combat (10% chance)
+100% attack vs. Axemen

War ElephantWar Elephant
Mounted Units
8160Construction
Horseback Riding
Ivory
CuirassierDoesn’t receive defensive bonuses
+50% vs. mounted units
WarriorWarrior
Melee Units
2115Axeman
Spearman
+25% city defense
Work BoatWork Boat0230FishingCannot enter ocean until Astronomy
Can create fishing boats, whaling boats, and offshore platform
WorkerWorker0260

Can improve tiles

+25% construction speed for Expansive leaders

 

Wild Animals:

Civilization IV has wandering wild animals on the map. In the early game, they pose a threat to your scouts, workers, and settlers. Be sure to escort your settlers unless you are willing to take the risk! Note that these wild animals cannot enter a Civ’s cultural borders.

IconUnitStr.MoveAbilities
BearBear31Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
LionLion21Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
PantherPanther22Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses
WolfWolf12Doesn’t receive defensive bonuses

 

 

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