Well, I know that for someone this idea is lame, but because i urge to post this idea to the forum, so just let me be

Kingdom Faction. For some fairy tale story is represent the faction of good people. Plus, in most of fantasy novel, it represent the men's kingdom in medieval era period. So, I think, rather than it has only one type of unit (A Peasant with a stick) that can be equiped with various weapons and armors, I give the idea to expand the unit type in Galactic Civilization 2.

To split the unit into several type, and limit it's equipment to some point. While in Galciv we can limit the unit equipment with point, here, we can limit their equipments with riches.

Tier 1 : Peasant (represent by "Tiny unit" in Gal Civ)

- We know that peasant is poor. He / she has a very limited riches and limited to none training experience in warfare. So... the player should be limited to only several type of weaponary that can be equiped by this first tier of unit.

Tier 2 : Sergeant (represent by "Small unit" in Gal Civ)

- Can afford more equipment than peasant. Has more HP and stats because of training at their spare time.

Tier 3 : Noble / Knight (represent by "Medium unit" in Gal Civ)

- They are rich people, can afford everything, and has more HP and stats because of their training.But need a lot of space in a party room.

Tier 4 : Special unit

- This is the special unit in Kingdom Fraction. Has some essense so can cast magic. You can call them Mage, Wizard, Cleric, etc in unit design. But they are expensive and should be there only in medium / late game.

Now, how the party will create? Ok, we just take another Galciv game mechanic. Some of units can gathered together in a party. You need to research the number of point that the party can has. Basically, you can put more peasants to the party, while less Noble / special units in it.

I think although this idea is only a ripped of from the Galactic Civilization game mechanic, but much-much better than the unit mechanic in Elemental.

1 : It can represent the RPG type of party. You want to gather 4 type of heroes in a party? Just do it! Or do you want to create a group of peasants with a commander? Why not?

2 : I know that you need a lot of unit (and several of "peasant party" to defeat a late game monster). But if Stardock can balance the unit, then it will have no problem.

To make the party more interesting, you can add both passive and active skills to enpower the unit party. At the beginning fo the game, only a heroes / notable person can create a party. It just like the Medieval Time where only Lord / Noble can create an army. But later, you can research techs that allow the special unit and Noble to create their own party. Also, with some research you can empower the party so the unit in it will able to act better in combat.

Now about Pioneer and the City Spam in the game, I have an Idea. Just add the need of people resource from 1 to 10 when you create a pioneer and the city spam will be over. Basically, you need an outpost with a hut first before you can create a pioneer, and you must face a decission to expand the town or to add more town