Civilians are a class of non-combatant units in the game. They are usually unarmed and most of them contribute to resource gathering in one way or another. They are also generally immune to various harmful special abilities, such as Sniper (Scouts) and Bribe (Spies).
There are two different ways to classify whether a unit is a civilian, and although there is significant overlap between the two, some units are only in one of the two categories.
- Whether a unit can be targeted by abilities such as Sniper and Bribe.
- Whether a unit has the "C" (Civilian) object mask, which determines whether they are classified as a civilian for the purpose of damage calculations.
The following units are classified as civilians by both definitions:
- Citizens and Scholars (but not while converted to Militia)
- Caravans (including Armed Caravans)
- Merchants (including Armed Merchants)
- Fishermen
- Transport Ships, Merchant Fleet, and Modern Merchant Fleet
- Patriots
- Spies (although they are specifically vulnerable to Counterintelligence)
- Supply Wagons (see below)
The following units are classified as civilians for ability targeting, but not for damage calculations:
- Dutch Armed Supply Wagons (see below)
The following units are civilians for damage calculations, but are affected by the targeted combat abilities mentioned above:
- Generals, including most or all CtW campaign-only General / Patriot units (but not normal Patriots)
- Scouts (can be sniped, but cannot be bribed)
Despite being armed and capable of engaging enemies, both Dutch Armed Merchants and Armed Caravans are still considered civilians for both classifications. Additionally, Supply Wagons (including Armed Supply Wagons) can be targeted by Sabotage because they are vehicles, despite being immune to normal combat abilities.
Note that when Citizens and Scholars are converted to Militia, they become combatants (non-civilians) and can be sniped or bribed. However, bribed Militia-type units who were Scholars will revert to Citizens instead. Also, the Korean special Citizen abilities are nation-based and do not transfer when bribed; a formerly-Korean Citizen who was bribed due to being in Militia form will lose the Korean special Citizen abilities when reverted, and a Citizen bribed by Koreans due to being in Militia form will gain the Korean special Citizen abilities when reverted.
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