Steamship is unrealistic

[jazz_chow]

Hi, Guys, one major problem of steam ship in sea battle is that once a cannon shot hits the paddlewheel, the ship will lose momentum immediately (at least from one side and in that case, steering the ship becomes even more difficult). It is easier for cannon ball to hit a paddlewheel than to hit a mast because of the relative position and relative size of the paddlewheel.

This fact is not properly reflected in sea battles mechanics. In fact, first sea-going steam ship appeared in early 19th century (I can't remember the exact year). But I understand it is for the joy of gameplay that steam ship is available for recruitment. One solution I can think of is to add another researchable technology: screw propeller.

Edit: here is a drawing of paddlewheel steam ship


screw propeller steam ship:

[Varaaki]

What steamship? o.O

[akinkhoo]

why not add a research for aircraft carriers?

[ohnoesaz]

Hi, Guys, one major problem of steam ship in sea battle is that once a cannon shot hits the paddlewheel, the ship will lose momentum immediately (at least from one side and in that case, steering the ship becomes even more difficult). It is easier for cannon ball to hit a paddlewheel than to hit a mast because of the relative position and relative size of the paddlewheel.

This fact is not properly reflected in sea battles mechanics. In fact, first sea-going steam ship appeared in early 19th century (I can't remember the exact year). But I understand it is for the joy of gameplay that steam ship is available for recruitment. One solution I can think of is to add another researchable technology: screw propeller.

Since my steamship wasn't available until 1805 then that falls right into early 19th century.... Seems accurate? But yes, I love the steamships because they allow me to harrass the enemy while my big slow ships fight against the wind after the first pass.

[Varaaki]

Again I ask: what steamship?

[jazz_chow]

Again I ask: what steamship?

Or instead of "steamship", I should have used the word "steamboat" and I am sorry if the former made you confused.

[Brusilov]

Or instead of "steamship", I should have used the word "steamboat" and I am sorry if the former made you confused.

No, it's called a 'steamship' in-game. They may not have done enough research to be in the position to build the dockyard up to the correct level to see them in-game:

[worm00]

Yes, and I also want research for fighter jets and laser shooting satellites. And mind controlling psychics.

My point being that I don't quite get the existence of the steamship in this game.

[tarloch]

when are you able to recruit steamships? i am at 1770 and fully upgraded navalwise and still theres no option to recruit these

EDIT ok just read it was in 1805 andi probably wont play past victory conditions looks like i wont see them

[the_mango55]

when are you able to recruit steamships? i am at 1770 and fully upgraded navalwise and still theres no option to recruit these

EDIT ok just read it was in 1805 andi probably wont play past victory conditions looks like i wont see them

To build a steamship you have to have a steam drydock. To build those you need to have researched the steam engine.

If you upgraded all your drydocks to naval hospitals before you researched the Steam engine, you either have to develop a new military port, or tear one of your old ones down.

Yes, and I also want research for fighter jets and laser shooting satellites. And mind controlling psychics.

My point being that I don't quite get the existence of the steamship in this game.

why not add a research for aircraft carriers?

I don't share the same hate for some units as other people. Specifically steamships and puckle guns come to mind.

Are fielding these units in regular armies historically accurate? No. But then again, neither is taking over North America with the Marathas.

I prefer historical feasability to absolute historical accuracy. If a nation concentrated research and effort on developing this technology into a military unit, could it field it in it's armies and navies?

For the Puckle Gun, the answer is "Hell yes" since it was invented in the early part of the campaign.

For steam ships, probably. Once you have developed steam engine tech and have built a steam drydock, it would be possible to build a steam powered warship. It might be better to have a separate research for it in the Naval Tech tree, but then you would have to make the unit more powerful to make up for the extra effort.

Aircraft carriers? Fighter jets? Satellites? Psychics? No, none of those would be possible with the technology represented in game.

[Humble Warrior]

Steamship? I played till 1890 and never saw one...

Then again I was testing so did not build everything possible.

[Rooie]

The early Steamship was propelled by both steam and wind. In short it was a sailschip supported bij steamengine. So you could go to battle with it and lose the "big paddlewheel" and stil be able to manouver. But what is the problem of having an steamship early, if you research like a maniac you have rifles before 1750 including the special units. Thats also too early.

Oooh and at one point you can choose between two options (hospital dock and steamdock) when upgrading your docks. If you wait upgrading till you have researched steamengine and choose steamdock you are able to build steamships. Otherwise you won't be able.

[Volodnikov]

Can anyone post a screenshot of the steamship on the battle map? I am highly interested in this.

[MehemtAli_Pasha]

Hi, Guys, one major problem of steam ship in sea battle is that once a cannon shot hits the paddlewheel, the ship will lose momentum immediately (at least from one side and in that case, steering the ship becomes even more difficult). It is easier for cannon ball to hit a paddlewheel than to hit a mast because of the relative position and relative size of the paddlewheel.

did u watch that Discovery Channel episode of steam ships 2 days ago?

any way, yes paddle steamships were completely useless. any cannon hit will result in the total loss for the paddle, which makes the steam ship not any better than any other sail ship.

Sail ships ruled the waves until the the mid 19 century when nations and empires began building Ironclads for their ships because the sail ships were vulnerable from the new invention of the explosive shells. With the new propelled engine that was invented, ironclads were the most powerful ships on the waves. although there was a couple of wooden sail ships like Le Napoleon that used the screw propelled engine, but they did not last for very long, because of the rise of Ironclads.

[worm00]

I don't share the same hate for some units as other people. Specifically steamships and puckle guns come to mind.

Are fielding these units in regular armies historically accurate? No. But then again, neither is taking over North America with the Marathas.

I prefer historical feasability to absolute historical accuracy. If a nation concentrated research and effort on developing this technology into a military unit, could it field it in it's armies and navies?

For the Puckle Gun, the answer is "Hell yes" since it was invented in the early part of the campaign.

For steam ships, probably. Once you have developed steam engine tech and have built a steam drydock, it would be possible to build a steam powered warship. It might be better to have a separate research for it in the Naval Tech tree, but then you would have to make the unit more powerful to make up for the extra effort.

Aircraft carriers? Fighter jets? Satellites? Psychics? No, none of those would be possible with the technology represented in game.

I don't really disagree with your thinking, and I like as well the puckle gun. The problem with the steamship (as it is in the game) is that in reality it was never functional / worth it. It's one thing to include the possibility of later technologies, and quite another to "fix" things which never made it further than research projects, it borders fantasy...

If they put a huge proper tech tree, where you can research later type ships, that WERE used effectively, I have a much smaller problem with that. (That's where the psychics come in; they don't really exist as a military unit).

any way, yes paddle steamships were completely useless. any cannon hit will result in the total loss for the paddle, which makes the steam ship not any better than any other sail ship.

Sail ships ruled the waves until the the mid 19 century when nations and empires began building Ironclads for their ships because the sail ships were vulnerable from the new invention of the explosive shells. With the new propelled engine that was invented, ironclads were the most powerful ships on the waves. although there was a couple of wooden sail ships like Le Napoleon that used the screw propelled engine, but they did not last for very long, because of the rise of Ironclads.

Precisely! Introduce ironclads instead of steamships, and I'm happy!

[erasmus777]

Not all factions get them.

[SirVulf]

Then I guess the question is... why can't we build Ironclads in the game if Steamships are able to be built? How about Breechloading guns and the Prussian Needlegun? (No... NOT QUAKE style!!!) That would be a way to differentiate the nations a bit. By their technology trees?

[Ascarona]

For god's sake people, if you want to see the steam ship then take the dutch faction and set up a battle and play it. Its not that difficult

[MehemtAli_Pasha]

For god's sake people, if you want to see the steam ship then take the dutch faction and set up a battle and play it. Its not that difficult

......any way

Then I guess the question is... why can't we build Ironclads in the game if Steamships are able to be built? How about Breechloading guns and the Prussian Needlegun? (No... NOT QUAKE style!!!) That would be a way to differentiate the nations a bit. By their technology trees?

Because ironclads are way too powerful for sail ships. Sail ships will stand no chance against any ironclad.

also ironclads were built way after Empire time frame. they were built in the 1850s. hopefully, the expected 19 century expansion will most likely include it, since paddlers were had many disadvantages for war ships. one thing The large paddlewheels left little space to mount guns, and the engines and coalbunkers filled what little space remained for the crew.

[Evil_Dane]

Also the rocket ship werent especielly good