How are unit points costs determined?

[the_iron_duke]

How are unit points costs determined? Is there a formula for all the unit values that provides a calculation for the points value?

If so, it would be great if there was a tool with which one could input the unit values and it would come up with a unit's points cost.

[BiteNibbleChomp]

In the equipment.pzdat file in the Data file, It shows every unit's cost, which can be changed quite easily. No formulas needed here. Reinforcements on the other hand have a formula. To my knowledge it is roughly:
"4.5% of the units cost per strength point added". This applies to green troops. Elite troops are probably about 12% (not certain here).

- BNC

[McGuba]

In the equipment.pzdat file in the Data file, It shows every unit's cost, which can be changed quite easily. No formulas needed here. Reinforcements on the other hand have a formula. To my knowledge it is roughly:
"4.5% of the units cost per strength point added". This applies to green troops. Elite troops are probably about 12% (not certain here).

Actually, green replacements cost 25% of the full price (2.5% per strenght points), to be precise, by default. And elite replacements cost 100% (10% per strenght points), during a scenario. It can be changed in the gamerules.pzdat files with a simple text editor:

gamerules.pzdat / gamerules114.pzdat:

# The following 4 parameters specify replacement costs in percent of a new unit cost. The first two parameters are used during a scenario (for normal and elite replacements respectively). Second two parameters are used between scenarios in a campaign.
ScnReplaceCost 25
ScnEReplaceCost 100
CamReplaceCost 0
CamEReplaceCost 50

But, I think that the original question was for the calculation of cost of units in general, if I am right. I do not know about such formula, but if there is any, it is not public, at the moment. The best you can do is to compare the new values (stats) that you add to the stats of the existing units and then come up with a cost which is similar to the cost of those units within the same class.

[the_iron_duke]

Yes, I'm talking about how unit points costs are derived. So if a unit is modded, and it's values and abilities are changed, how to come up with a new appropriate points cost for it.

[Molve]

No "official" published formula.

And how could there be one? Have a look at all the variant equipment files in mods - there simply is no single "objective" way to set the prestige costs. Some players like to use a huge airforce, others focus on the tanks. For some, self-propelled artillery is the only way to go; others make good use of stronger but towed artillery. All these people would price the various units differently, after how useful they are to them. They would all have certain units that are "too good" and "too cheap" - but these units wouldn't be the same ones for everybody!

If you study the most popular equipment files (including, but not limited to, the official one that comes with the game) you should quickly gain your own appreciation for how to price your modded units. If you are still unsure, you could always post your units and your prestige cost proposals around here, and the forum will quickly disagree...!

[BiteNibbleChomp]

An idea you may want to consider is:

1. Set a unit to be your "base" unit, and give it a simple cost value.

My example: German WWI Infantry, 1914: 100pp.

2. How much better is the next unit in the list:

German WWI Infantry, 1916: 100 + 25: 125pp

3. How useful are other classes in releation to this:

Fokker Dr I, 3 times as strong/useful: 3 times cost, +25 for "realism" - cost of aircraft: 325pp.

4. Repeat Steps 2 + 3 for all units in the list:

WWI Infantry 1918: 150pp
WWI Artillery: 125pp
Poison Gas Artillery: 175pp
etc.

5. Your very own unit list!

- BNC

[the_iron_duke]

Thanks for the advice.