Surviving the Apocalypse: A Guide to Avoiding Nuclear Annihilation in Civilization VI

The threat of nuclear war looms large in Civilization VI. A single well-placed nuke can cripple your empire, setting you back significantly or even costing you the game. Fortunately, becoming a mushroom cloud victim isn’t inevitable. Survival hinges on a multi-layered strategy that includes deterrence, defense, and damage control. The most effective strategy involves all three, so let’s delve into how you can protect your civilization from nuclear annihilation.

Deterrence: The Art of Avoiding Conflict

Building a Strong Military

The best way to avoid getting nuked is to make your enemy think twice before launching. A powerful, modern military is your first line of defense. This doesn’t just mean building a massive army; it means having a technologically advanced and well-positioned force that can strike back swiftly and decisively. Focus on researching military technologies and building strong air and naval forces that can project power. Remember the age-old advice, “walk softly and carry a big stick.” It never gets old!

Diplomatic Relations

Maintaining positive relationships with other civilizations is crucial. A friendly neighbor is less likely to nuke you than a bitter rival. Invest in diplomacy by sending trade delegations, forming alliances, and fulfilling their agendas. However, be wary of warmongers and civilizations with a history of aggression. Keep a close eye on their military buildup and consider forming alliances with other peaceful civilizations to deter potential attacks. Remember, friends buy you time and can sometimes give you a heads-up about incoming aggression.

The Threat of Retaliation

Sometimes, diplomacy isn’t enough. In those cases, you need to establish a credible nuclear deterrent. Build your own nukes and make it clear that you’re willing to use them in retaliation. The threat of mutually assured destruction (MAD) can be a powerful deterrent, even against the most aggressive leaders. Think of it as your last resort card.

Defense: Intercepting and Mitigating the Threat

Anti-Air Units

The Mobile SAM unit is your primary defense against nuclear strikes. These units protect all units within one tile from nuclear attacks and air attacks. Position them strategically around your cities and key infrastructure to intercept incoming nukes. Remember that multiple intercepting units increase the likelihood of successfully destroying the nuke. Don’t skimp on this vital defense.

City Defenses

Ensure your cities have strong defenses, including walls and ranged attack capabilities. These defenses won’t stop a nuke, but they can help protect against follow-up attacks from conventional forces. Remember that a heavily defended city will require more resources to conquer, making it a less attractive target.

Spies

Use spies to gather information about other civilizations’ nuclear capabilities. Knowing when and where they’re building nukes can give you valuable time to prepare your defenses or launch a preemptive strike. Counterspies are also useful for preventing enemy spies from sabotaging your production or stealing your technologies.

Damage Control: Recovering from the Aftermath

Disaster Relief

Be prepared for the aftermath of a nuclear attack. Research technologies that mitigate the effects of fallout and provide bonuses for rebuilding damaged infrastructure. Have builders ready to clear nuclear fallout from impacted tiles as quickly as possible to restore production and food yields. A Military Engineer, Legion or Toa can scrub the fallout.

Relocation and Evacuation

If possible, relocate your population from areas heavily affected by fallout. Building new cities in safer regions can help you recover more quickly. Prioritize districts that produce food and production to support your recovery efforts. Also, remember the principles of time, distance, and shielding to protect your citizens during any radiation emergency.

Rebuilding Efforts

Focus on rebuilding your economy and infrastructure as quickly as possible. Prioritize repairing damaged districts and improvements, especially those that provide essential resources like food, production, and science. Use policy cards that provide bonuses to rebuilding efforts.

FAQ: Nuclear Warfare in Civ VI

1. How can I tell if another civilization is building nukes?

Spies are your best source of information. They can infiltrate cities and industrial zones to gather intel on production and technology. Also, pay attention to diplomatic cues and leader behaviors.

2. What units can launch nukes in Civ VI?

Bombers, Jet Bombers, Nuclear Submarines, and Missile Silos can all launch nuclear weapons.

3. How long does nuclear contamination last?

Radiation lasts for 10 turns for a regular nuclear device and 20 turns for a thermonuclear device.

4. Can I clean up nuclear fallout?

Yes, Builders, Military Engineers, Legions, and Toas can scrub the fallout from impacted tiles.

5. How many tiles does a nuke affect?

Nuclear devices have a blast radius of 1 tile, while thermonuclear devices have a blast radius of 2 tiles.

6. How can I intercept a nuke?

The Mobile SAM unit protects units within 1 tile from nuclear strikes. Position them strategically around your cities and key infrastructure.

7. Does Gandhi always build nukes in Civ VI?

Gandhi has a hidden agenda called “Nuke Happy,” which gives him a 70% chance of prioritizing nuclear weapons.

8. What is the range of a nuke?

Nuclear devices have a range of 12 tiles, while thermonuclear devices have a range of 15 tiles.

9. What happens if my city gets nuked?

The city will suffer significant damage to its population, buildings, and districts. The tiles around the city will be contaminated with nuclear fallout.

10. How do warmonger penalties affect my chances of getting nuked?

High warmonger penalties can increase the likelihood of other civilizations declaring war on you and potentially using nuclear weapons.

11. Can I use nukes to win in Civ VI?

Yes, but be prepared for the consequences. Using nukes can cripple your enemies, but it will also lead to severe warmonger penalties and potential retaliation.

12. What is the “Red Death” scenario in Civ VI?

Red Death is a multiplayer scenario where players compete to be the last civilization standing in a post-apocalyptic world consumed by radiation.

13. Do alliances protect me from nuclear attacks?

Alliances can provide some diplomatic protection, but they don’t guarantee immunity from nuclear attacks. A desperate or ruthless leader may still be willing to break an alliance to achieve their goals.

14. How important is science for preventing nuclear attacks?

Science is crucial. It allows you to research advanced military technologies, build anti-air defenses, and develop your own nuclear deterrent.

15. What are the best policy cards for dealing with nuclear fallout?

Policy cards that provide bonuses to production, food, and science in damaged cities are particularly useful for recovering from nuclear fallout.

Conclusion

Surviving nuclear war in Civilization VI requires a comprehensive approach that combines deterrence, defense, and damage control. By building a strong military, maintaining positive diplomatic relations, investing in anti-air defenses, and preparing for the aftermath of an attack, you can significantly increase your chances of surviving and thriving in the atomic age. Stay vigilant, and may your empire endure! And remember, games provide important lessons and can be used to build educational games, you can find more information on this topic at GamesLearningSociety.org or Games Learning Society.