Suggestion: Start with a basic Artillery model at TL3

[Cornuthaum]

Suggestion's simple. Unlock the independent artillery unit with a basic artillery model already designed.

Why? For as long as men have fought each other, there's always been that voice in their heads going "wouldn't it be nice if we had something that could throw some deadly projectiles at these bastards way, way over there?".

Being at the mercy of two bureaus to get a crucial army unit - sometimes as late as turn 25! - when literal muzzle-loaded cannons be an improvement over not having anything, muzzle-loaders with blackpowder and napoleonic uniforms at that, is honestly not fun.

It doesn't have to be a big tube, literally just a 60mm arty model would do.

[EuchreJack]

It does seem a bit odd from a Terran standard that Artillery, which predates smaller firearms, should not be unlocked initially, and Machineguns, which mostly came after most forms of artillery, are currently unlocked. Perhaps they should be switched?

I imagine the logic behind no artillery and yes machinegun is "what could fit inside a dome's hallways?" during the century preceding the player's rise to power. But since opposing minors can start with Tanks, something with a bit more BOOM would be nice.

[Kamelpov]

Well you have irregular arty in that case. And modern artillery require more technicality compared to the old 18th century + modern rifle effective range would wipe those trying a direct line of fire. In apocalyptic world it's easier to find MG compared to find artillery.
Else in zombies film people gonna use arty instead of MG really who the heck want to use MG against zombies horde when you can just pick them from afar...

[GodwinW]

I disagree. I like the early game without bombardments. It has its place and time and its charms to not have them.

If you want to start with them, have you tried higher tech starts, maybe those solve it for you?

If many people seem to want it maybe it can be made into an option, but I personally would always leave it off. The fun for me is starting small and building up yourself. But everyone's different of course.

[zgrssd]

I say it makes sense:
We got the technology to build it.
Most of the time our Militia unit start with some. So it is not like it was not needed.
And Buggies and MG's (wich we do start with) are defnitely more complicated, both technologically and supply wise.

[Tester28]

I think it's very weird that our militias start with artillery but we're not able to build it. That means we have to make a significant investment before we have Orders of Battle that incorporate artillery. That seems very weird to me. Vehicles like buggies and motorcycles I can understand, but why not artillery?