database Units

Units Database Schema

This document describes the database tables used to define units in Civilization VII.

Overview

Units are defined across multiple tables:

• Types - Registers the unit type
• Units - Core unit properties
• Unit_Stats - Combat statistics
• TypeTags - Unit classification tags
• Related ability tables

Types Table

Every unit must first be registered in the Types table:

<Types>
    <Row Type="UNIT_WARRIOR" Kind="KIND_UNIT"/>
    <Row Type="UNIT_SCOUT" Kind="KIND_UNIT"/>
</Types>

Column	Type	Description
Type	TEXT	Unique identifier (e.g., UNIT_WARRIOR)
Kind	TEXT	Must be KIND_UNIT

Units Table

The main unit definition table:

<Units>
    <Row
        UnitType="UNIT_SCOUT"
        Name="LOC_UNIT_SCOUT_NAME"
        Description="LOC_UNIT_SCOUT_DESCRIPTION"
        BaseSightRange="2"
        BaseMoves="2"
        UnitMovementClass="UNIT_MOVEMENT_CLASS_RECON"
        Domain="DOMAIN_LAND"
        CoreClass="CORE_CLASS_RECON"
        FormationClass="FORMATION_CLASS_CIVILIAN"
        ZoneOfControl="false"
    />
</Units>

Units Table Columns

Column	Type	Description	Example Values
UnitType	TEXT	Primary key, matches Type	UNIT_WARRIOR
Name	TEXT	Localization key for name	LOC_UNIT_WARRIOR_NAME
Description	TEXT	Localization key for description	LOC_UNIT_WARRIOR_DESCRIPTION
BaseSightRange	INTEGER	Vision range in tiles	2
BaseMoves	INTEGER	Movement points per turn	2, 3, 4
UnitMovementClass	TEXT	Movement type	See below
Domain	TEXT	Unit domain	DOMAIN_LAND, DOMAIN_SEA, DOMAIN_AIR
CoreClass	TEXT	Core classification	See below
FormationClass	TEXT	Formation type	See below
ZoneOfControl	BOOLEAN	Exerts ZOC	true, false
CanTrain	BOOLEAN	Can be trained normally	true, false
CanPurchase	BOOLEAN	Can be purchased with gold	true, false
FoundCity	BOOLEAN	Can found settlements	true (Settlers)
MakeTradeRoute	BOOLEAN	Creates trade routes	true (Merchants)
CostProgressionModel	TEXT	How cost scales	See below
CostProgressionParam1	INTEGER	Cost scaling parameter	Varies
PrereqPopulation	INTEGER	Population required to train	5 (Settlers)
CanEarnExperience	BOOLEAN	Gains XP	true, false
PromotionClass	TEXT	Promotion tree	See below
CanTriggerDiscovery	BOOLEAN	Triggers discovery sites	true, false
CanBeDamaged	BOOLEAN	Can take damage	true, false
ManualDelete	BOOLEAN	Can be manually deleted	true, false

UnitMovementClass Values

Value	Description
UNIT_MOVEMENT_CLASS_FOOT	Standard land movement
UNIT_MOVEMENT_CLASS_RECON	Scout/reconnaissance
UNIT_MOVEMENT_CLASS_NAVAL	Naval vessels
UNIT_MOVEMENT_CLASS_MOUNTED	Cavalry
UNIT_MOVEMENT_CLASS_WHEELED	Wheeled vehicles
NO_UNIT_MOVEMENT_CLASS	Stationary units

Domain Values

Value	Description
DOMAIN_LAND	Ground units
DOMAIN_SEA	Naval units
DOMAIN_AIR	Aircraft

CoreClass Values

Value	Description
CORE_CLASS_MILITARY	Combat units
CORE_CLASS_CIVILIAN	Non-combat civilians
CORE_CLASS_RECON	Scouts and explorers
CORE_CLASS_SUPPORT	Support units (Commanders, Settlers)

FormationClass Values

Value	Description
FORMATION_CLASS_LAND_COMBAT	Land combat formation
FORMATION_CLASS_NAVAL_COMBAT	Naval combat formation
FORMATION_CLASS_CIVILIAN	Civilian formation
FORMATION_CLASS_COMMAND	Commander formation

CostProgressionModel Values

Value	Description
COST_PROGRESSION_PREVIOUS_COPIES	Cost increases with each copy
COST_PROGRESSION_NUM_SETTLEMENTS	Cost scales with settlement count

PromotionClass Values

Value	Description
PROMOTION_CLASS_LAND_COMMANDER	Army commander promotions
PROMOTION_CLASS_NAVAL_COMMANDER	Fleet commander promotions
PROMOTION_CLASS_AIR_COMMANDER	Squadron commander promotions
PROMOTION_CLASS_CARRIER_COMMANDER	Carrier commander promotions
PROMOTION_CLASS_AERODROME_COMMANDER	Aerodrome commander promotions

Unit_Stats Table

Combat statistics for units:

<Unit_Stats>
    <Row UnitType="UNIT_WARRIOR" Combat="25"/>
    <Row UnitType="UNIT_ARCHER" Combat="15" RangedCombat="25" Range="2"/>
</Unit_Stats>

Column	Type	Description
UnitType	TEXT	Foreign key to Units
Combat	INTEGER	Melee combat strength
RangedCombat	INTEGER	Ranged combat strength
Range	INTEGER	Attack range in tiles

TypeTags Table

Unit classification tags for game logic:

<TypeTags>
    <Row Type="UNIT_SCOUT" Tag="UNIT_CLASS_NON_COMBAT"/>
    <Row Type="UNIT_SCOUT" Tag="UNIT_CLASS_AUTOEXPLORE"/>
    <Row Type="UNIT_SCOUT" Tag="UNIT_CLASS_RECON"/>
    <Row Type="UNIT_WARRIOR" Tag="UNIT_CLASS_COMBAT"/>
    <Row Type="UNIT_WARRIOR" Tag="UNIT_CLASS_MELEE"/>
    <Row Type="UNIT_WARRIOR" Tag="UNIT_CLASS_INFANTRY"/>
</TypeTags>

Common Unit Class Tags

Tag	Description
UNIT_CLASS_COMBAT	Can engage in combat
UNIT_CLASS_NON_COMBAT	Cannot attack
UNIT_CLASS_MELEE	Melee attacker
UNIT_CLASS_RANGED	Ranged attacker
UNIT_CLASS_INFANTRY	Infantry unit
UNIT_CLASS_CAVALRY	Cavalry unit
UNIT_CLASS_MOUNTED	Mounted unit
UNIT_CLASS_SIEGE	Siege weapon
UNIT_CLASS_NAVAL	Naval unit
UNIT_CLASS_AIRCRAFT	Air unit
UNIT_CLASS_RECON	Reconnaissance
UNIT_CLASS_COMMAND	Commander unit
UNIT_CLASS_HEAVY	Heavy unit
UNIT_CLASS_LIGHT	Light unit
UNIT_CLASS_STEALTH	Stealth capable
AGELESS	Persists across ages

Unit Abilities

Abilities are defined in Types with KIND_ABILITY:

<Types>
    <Row Type="ABILITY_AMPHIBIOUS" Kind="KIND_ABILITY"/>
    <Row Type="ABILITY_FIRST_STRIKE" Kind="KIND_ABILITY"/>
</Types>

Common Abilities

Ability	Description
ABILITY_AMPHIBIOUS	No penalty attacking from water
ABILITY_FIRST_STRIKE	Attacks first in combat
ABILITY_FEAR	Causes fear in enemies
ABILITY_POISON	Applies poison damage
ABILITY_SKIRMISH	Can move after attacking
ABILITY_SWIFT	Increased movement
ABILITY_STEALTH	Can be hidden

Example: Creating a New Unit

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Database>
    <!-- Register the type -->
    <Types>
        <Row Type="UNIT_MY_WARRIOR" Kind="KIND_UNIT"/>
    </Types>

    <!-- Define the unit -->
    <Units>
        <Row
            UnitType="UNIT_MY_WARRIOR"
            Name="LOC_UNIT_MY_WARRIOR_NAME"
            Description="LOC_UNIT_MY_WARRIOR_DESCRIPTION"
            BaseSightRange="2"
            BaseMoves="2"
            UnitMovementClass="UNIT_MOVEMENT_CLASS_FOOT"
            Domain="DOMAIN_LAND"
            CoreClass="CORE_CLASS_MILITARY"
            FormationClass="FORMATION_CLASS_LAND_COMBAT"
            ZoneOfControl="true"
        />
    </Units>

    <!-- Combat stats -->
    <Unit_Stats>
        <Row UnitType="UNIT_MY_WARRIOR" Combat="30"/>
    </Unit_Stats>

    <!-- Classification -->
    <TypeTags>
        <Row Type="UNIT_MY_WARRIOR" Tag="UNIT_CLASS_COMBAT"/>
        <Row Type="UNIT_MY_WARRIOR" Tag="UNIT_CLASS_MELEE"/>
        <Row Type="UNIT_MY_WARRIOR" Tag="UNIT_CLASS_INFANTRY"/>
    </TypeTags>
</Database>

Related Tables

• UnitPromotionClasses - Promotion class definitions
• UnitAbilities - Unit ability definitions
• Unit_BuildingPrereqs - Building prerequisites
• Unit_ResourceCosts - Strategic resource costs