It is undeniable that during the game’s timeframe the British dominated across the globe, being perhaps the world’s first “superpower”. Unfortunately in AoE3 the British are quite nerfed, and in normal games they often lose to other civs!
So in the spirit of fixing this problem and taking up @AssertiveWall20’s torch we should propose some fair and balanced changes to make sure the British are living up to their potential.
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Firstly - as something I think everyone can agree on - because the British were the first to industrialise, when they’re present in a game no other civ should be allowed to advance to the Industrial age until after the British. I think there should be a timer as well, so no one can advance to the Industrial until the British player has been Industrial for at least 5 minutes - to really emphasise the technological lead the British had!
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Also, for their industry, British factories should automatically spawn Coal Mine Prospector wagons every now and then. Their livestock pens should also spawn a new sheep every time one is harvested.
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The British were most famous for their navy. They should be allowed to train unlimited Battleships instead of Frigates starting from the Fortress Age (for the same cost). They should also get dock ship upgrades for free, and their docks should work 50% faster than other civs.
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It’s not really fair that on maps without water the British navy can’t have an impact. Their navy ruled the waves which allowed them to influence global trade. I think the British should be able to use the “blockade” ability from their market, for free.
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A few civilisations in the game are represented in ways that are tied to British colonisation and these civs should have disadvantages when matched up with the British. Any USA players are forced to be allied to any British players until they reach Age 3, after which they automatically declare war. While they’re allied, they automatically pay 30% of their coin income to the British player and their population is capped at 100. Any Indian players won’t be able to train Sepoys or Gurkhas (the British player can train them instead).
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Redcoats were feared and respected across the world, but in AoE3 they get beaten by Mexican Soldados! They should be at least as powerful. I think redcoats should get a massive health boost. Also, they should have a charged automatic ability “First Volley” which has 1.5x their normal range, so that when attacking the first rank will fire at range before moving closer while the second rank fires, etc. In addiiton to their charged ability, they should gain a global charged ability (like the Carolean Charge) where they all sing “Men of Harlech” and while doing this they fire at 3x rate and are invunerable to damage.
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The Rangers are a nice unit, but convoluted to acquire. The British should get them unlocked automatically in Age 4. I think rangers should also get the explorer’s sharpshooter ability, which would be really useful for picking off high value enemies. Also they should have Yorkshire accents.
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The Longbowmen units are a bit of a meme. They are obsolete too quickly, so they should be more powerful early on so they are at least useful for a period. Considering the battle of Agincourt, I think longbowmen should get a huge multiplier vs heavy cavalry. This would make them more versatile and unique as light infatry units.
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Obviously the British need to be able to train Highlanders, Irish Brigadiers, and Harquebusiers from their normal military buildings with mixed and discounted gold and coin costs. In addition, considering Harquebusiers were quite early, I think they should unlock in Age 2 for the British.
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The British were extensive colonisers, much more than most other civs in the game. They should get a town center wagon on each age up like the Portuguese, and each new town center should spawn 5 villagers, in order to help them colonise more of the map.
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Manor houses are ok, but a single villager spawning doesn’t really justify the cost. I think in addition, those houses should trickle experience, to represent the huge population of England and the amazing scientific and technological advancement occuring in British cities and towns in the time period.
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The British should be able to train a unique “Ripper” outlaw in their tavern in Age 4, who instantly kills enemy female villagers, is always stealthed, and can’t be killed. He was never caught.
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The British East India company was a massive establishment, with its own private army and money! They should be a possible revolution for the British. If they’re taken, Indian units should be available, while a massive coin trickle would activate.
Let me know what more you think the British need! I’ve probably only scratched the surface.
