GameSpot's Civilization: Call to Power Game Guide

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Chapter Three: General Combat Strategies

Use Terrain Advantages

Not just for resources and goods, terrain possesses key combat advantages, both offensively and defensively. For instance, impassable terrain (or even terrain that cuts down on the movement points) pinched at certain areas can create chokepoints. Position your defensive stacks around the chokepoint; if an enemy decides to venture inside, your stacks can literally surround the incoming forces, taking them out before they can retreat. Something to keep in mind, both offensively and defensively, is that certain terrain includes bonuses to combat. Placing a unit on a hill or forest tile can improve its defense by 50 percent, and mountainous terrain can double your ratings. Keep this in mind when engaging the enemy; if it is camped on a hill or mountain, don't attack; instead, you dictate the where and the when of the confrontation.

Counting Movement Points

The concept of movement points creates a sort of small chess game inside Civilization: Call to Power's combat system. When units run low on movement points for a given turn, their effectiveness in combat also decreases. For instance, a unit with only a third its movement points left suffers a penalty of 67 percent to its combat rating. Attacking an equal force on your final movement point will often result in a defeat. Instead, force the computer to engage you, either exploiting low movement points or drawing it onto your favorable terrain. Engaging the enemy on the upswing of your movement points will always be much more successful.