[0.9 BUG] Basic units auto-upgrade gear as you research it (for training purposes not the units in your army)

I only use custom units, outside of the starting troops, so hadn't noticed this in my current game, just a few hours old. Checked the basic spearmen after un-hiding them, and they are indeed now crystaled up. This isn't occurring with my custom troops, 3 early game versions are all still wearing their basic leathers and soldiers gear as designed.

I also built a dozen or so custom units for each of the AIs I play against, they all seem to be working normally as well.

Part of the issue here is the upgrade system. It automatically upgrades your troops to the next best item. The custom troops you designed were probably not selecting the auto-upgrade button when you designed them and so they will not upgrade to the next best available item. The other more basic troops on the otherhand will upgrade themselves accordingly. I recommend for the OP that you design some basic spearmen that never upgrade (simple fix) and leave the other computer generated ones there upgrading like normally. Don't forget that one may hide unnecessary units as the tech tree progresses, so you can save youself some cluttered unit design options.

UPDATE: this is affecting all standard units that you gain from researching different branches. All have their gear buffed with magical stuff etc, which makes it impossible to train anything unless you specifically go and design new units.

Suggestion: make this as an option if you want to keep it in game, a flag you can check before starting a new game, if you want your troops to update their gear instantly as you access new options via research, or uncheck it if you want the normal thing.

@Parrothmath: I don't recall in any of my games prior to 0.9 having to redesign basic spearmen or other units because I researched charms, but maybe I never researched charms before getting crystals and did not notice it - more input appreciated.

hmm i guess they must have changed the default spearman design, then. i think they used to upgrade the weapon slot only (much like the militia design). some of the units have always been set to upgrade armor slots, though (the "Defender" design for example always auto updated to better weapons and armor)

What I mean is this upgrade should be optional for existing designs Either interface option or unit design option at bottom next to hide / retire etc

yeah that would be a solution. or they could make an option to expand the list and display additional versions of the design that don't require crystal/metal (or checkboxes for crystal/metal - if you uncheck them, the presented designs re-calculate to the best version that doesn't use the unchecked resource)

Yeah that was the idea.

When I first played in 0.85 and dabbled with unit design, I gathered that the game was offering you various unit types (defensive, offensive, ranged / melee, mounted or pedestral) so you get an idea of what to expect. Then you went into unit design to specialize (or pimp up) what you wanted.

I always try to use some lore and visual identity when design troops (fire mages / frost mages, plate axes vs leather axes) it gives you some attachment to your troops and you fill with joy seeing them performing in battles

Correct, I typically design troops to fill a specific role, so rarely use the auto upgrade button when designing.

The downside of the excellent unit design in this game is that you have to use it thoroughly to get the most from the game. This is one of those cases where not everyone may be happy, but complexity triumphs over accessibility.