Can You Intercept Nukes in Civ 6? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you absolutely can intercept nuclear weapons in Civilization VI, but it’s not a foolproof process. The game offers several methods to mitigate and even neutralize the threat of a nuclear attack, providing strategic depth beyond simply launching your own retaliatory strike. The key lies in understanding the available tools and employing them effectively. Let’s dive into how you can defend your civilization from the atomic age in Civ 6.

Understanding the Nuclear Threat in Civ 6

Before we discuss interception methods, let’s understand the mechanics of nuclear weapons in Civ 6. Nukes can be launched from:

• Bombers and Jet Bombers
• Nuclear Submarines
• Missile Silos

There are two types of nuclear weapons: the standard Nuclear Missile and the more devastating Thermonuclear Device. The latter has a larger blast radius and range, making it a significantly greater threat. Both weapons cause widespread destruction, damaging units, improvements, and city structures within their blast radius. Furthermore, they leave behind nuclear fallout, which impedes unit movement and city development.

Methods of Nuke Interception and Defense

Civ 6 provides a few ways to protect yourself and your cities from nuclear attacks:

1. Mobile SAM Units

The Mobile SAM (Surface-to-Air Missile) unit is your primary defense against air attacks, including nuclear strikes. This unit, which upgrades from the Anti-Air Gun, provides a defensive aura to all units within one tile. Any unit within that aura is protected from nuclear strikes and conventional air attacks. Positioning Mobile SAMs strategically around your key cities and valuable units is crucial for defense. Remember, the The bomb can be intercepted by anti-air units, but if the interception(s) don’t destroy it, the attack will happen regardless. So if you fear a nuclear attack, make sure you have multiple intercepting units around! So multiple units offer better protection!

2. Strategic City Placement and Redundancy

While not directly an “interception” method, strategic city placement can minimize the impact of nuclear strikes. Spreading your cities out can prevent a single nuke from crippling your entire empire. Also, building multiple key improvements or wonders ensures that the loss of one city won’t be catastrophic.

3. Preemptive Strikes and City Capture

The best defense is often a good offense. If you suspect an enemy is about to launch a nuclear attack, consider a preemptive strike to eliminate their nuclear capabilities. Destroying their Missile Silos or sinking their Nuclear Submarines is a surefire way to prevent an attack. The best defense is to sink the missile cruiser or sub they are on, or if they are in a city you capture that city in a single turn, before they can deploy or move them to safety. But if it takes you 2 or 2 turns to take the city, the AI is sometimes stupid enough to not move them out.

4. Diplomacy (Sometimes)

While not always reliable, diplomacy can sometimes prevent a nuclear war. Denouncing or declaring war on a civ preparing to launch a nuke might be a good idea. While it won’t directly intercept the missile, it might influence the AI’s decision-making, especially if they fear retaliation.

5. Scrubbing Fallout

While not an interception method, scrubbing fallout is an essential part of recovering from a nuclear attack. A Builder, Military Engineer, Legion or Toa can scrub the fallout. This action removes the negative effects of the fallout, allowing you to rebuild and continue production in the affected areas.

Strategic Considerations

• Unit Placement: Position Mobile SAMs near high-value targets like your capital, industrial zones, and spaceports.
• Research Focus: Prioritize researching technologies that unlock Mobile SAMs early in the Information Era.
• Espionage: Use spies to gather intelligence on enemy nuclear capabilities and potential attack plans.
• Production: Maintain a steady production of Mobile SAMs to ensure adequate coverage across your empire.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Nukes in Civ 6

1. What exactly does the Mobile SAM do?

The Mobile SAM provides anti-air defense within a one-tile radius, protecting units from both conventional air attacks and nuclear strikes.

2. Can multiple Mobile SAMs stack their defensive capabilities?

No, the effects of multiple Mobile SAMs do not stack. However, having multiple units provides redundancy in case one is destroyed.

3. How effective is the Mobile SAM against nukes?

While the Mobile SAM offers significant protection, it’s not a guaranteed intercept. The game mechanics involve a chance-based interception. The more, the merrier!

4. What happens if a nuke hits a city protected by a Mobile SAM?

The Mobile SAM attempts to intercept the nuclear weapon. If successful, the city and units within its radius are spared the full destructive force of the blast. If unsuccessful, the city takes damage as normal.

5. Can I protect my entire empire with Mobile SAMs?

Protecting your entire empire with Mobile SAMs would be resource-intensive. Focus on safeguarding key cities and strategic locations.

6. Are there any other units that can intercept nukes?

No, the Mobile SAM is the only unit in Civ 6 specifically designed to intercept nuclear weapons and aircraft.

7. How does nuclear fallout affect my cities?

Nuclear fallout reduces the yields of tiles and prevents the city from spawning most units, including workers required to clear the fallout.

8. How do I remove nuclear fallout?

You can remove nuclear fallout by using a Builder, Military Engineer, Legion or Toa unit to “scrub” the affected tiles.

9. What is the blast radius of a Nuclear Missile vs. a Thermonuclear Device?

Nuclear devices have a blast radius of 1 and have a range of 12 tiles. They also cost 14 gold per turn to maintain. Thermonuclear devices have a blast radius of 2 and a range of 15.

10. Is it possible to completely avoid nuclear war in Civ 6?

Yes, it is possible to avoid nuclear war through diplomacy, preemptive strikes, and strong defensive measures. However, it requires careful planning and strategic execution.

11. How does terrain affect the blast radius of a nuke?

Terrain does not directly affect the blast radius of a nuke. The blast radius is fixed based on the type of nuclear weapon.

12. Can city-states launch nukes?

No, only major civilizations can build and launch nuclear weapons.

13. What are the warmonger penalties associated with using nukes?

Using nuclear weapons incurs significant warmonger penalties, negatively impacting your relations with other civilizations.

14. Can nukes destroy natural wonders?

No, nukes cannot destroy natural wonders.

15. Is there a special victory condition related to nuclear weapons?

No, there isn’t a specific victory condition tied to nuclear weapons. However, they can be a powerful tool for achieving domination victory or hindering other civilizations’ progress towards other victory types.

Conclusion

While the prospect of nuclear war in Civ 6 can be daunting, understanding the mechanics and utilizing the available defensive measures can significantly mitigate the threat. Strategic unit placement, research focus, and proactive diplomacy are key to surviving the atomic age. Remember to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights on game strategy and educational applications.