Does a City *need* a garrisoned unit?

[nikolaanne]

From what I read in the manual, if a city is attacked and its defenses defeated, the enemy can take it even if there is a unit inside the city. So, apart from the handy amenities a garrisoned unit gives, is there an actual need to have a fortified unit in a city?

I'm trying to figure out if I need to build more units to go attack Norway, or If I can simply pull what I have from my cities as the first wave...

Thoughts?

[endragon66]

Need, no but a ranged unit in a city can shoot attacking enemies, while taking no damage(until the city falls). I would keep 1 or 2 ranged in the cities closet to Norway, and move them forward as you take their cities.

[katzenkrimis]

No.

But I've always played V and VI with a ranged unit stationed there. It's invaluable if you ever get attacked, or if units spawn nearby unexpectedly.

I also use the Civic that adds +1 amenities for cities with a garrisoned unit.

Never leave your 'key' cities unprotected. You will regret it someday.

Sure, you can pull your units away, but if they aren't coming back for a while, then you need protection asap, or your Campus and other important districts will get pillaged. Guaranteed.

The AI cheats. It knows where you are through the fog of war. It knows which areas you are neglecting. It will try to make life miserable for you at every opportunity.

[SamBC]

Also note that a unit in the city increases the city's combat strength.

[Zehk Naerun]

Originally posted by katzenkrimis:

No.

But I've always played V and VI with a ranged unit stationed there. It's invaluable if you ever get attacked, or if units spawn nearby unexpectedly.

I also use the Civic that adds +1 amenities for cities with a garrisoned unit.

Never leave your 'key' cities unprotected. You will regret it someday.

Sure, you can pull your units away, but if they aren't coming back for a while, then you need protection asap, or your Campus and other important districts will get pillaged. Guaranteed.

The AI cheats. It knows where you are through the fog of war. It knows which areas you are neglecting. It will try to make life miserable for you at every opportunity.

This basically happened to me in multiplayer when my friend (playing England) Redcoat and sub spammed me the second I got subs. Science turtle wasn't enough when my meager forces were destroyed by Venetian Arsenal fleets and I was already attacking India at the time. Bad move.

[Dray Prescot]

If you have an encampment and the city has has walls as well, then I think the encampment has a long range fire in addition to the city. The encampment is like having a second defense point/unit in the area of the city. It also has its own seperate defense as long as the city remains yours.

[krabdr]

Originally posted by katzenkrimis:

I also use the Civic that adds +1 amenities for cities with a garrisoned unit.

This is must have civic if you like to warmonger.