Unleashing Armageddon: A Guide to Thermonuclear Warfare in Civilization VI
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So, you’ve reached the pinnacle of scientific achievement in Civilization VI and are itching to unleash the might of a thermonuclear device upon your unsuspecting foes? You’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive into the mechanics of deploying these devastating weapons.
The core principle is simple: Once you’ve built the Thermonuclear Device (after completing the Manhattan Project and researching Rocketry), it’s added to your inventory. You then need a delivery system: either a Bomber aircraft, a Nuclear Submarine, or a Missile Silo. Select your chosen delivery unit, find a target within its range, and launch! Just remember the ensuing fallout and diplomatic consequences – nuclear war is rarely a winning strategy in the long run, even in the virtual world.
Now, let’s delve deeper into the specifics, covering everything from acquisition to aftermath.
Securing Your Nuclear Arsenal
Before you can rain fire, you need to build your arsenal. This involves several key steps:
- Research: The path to thermonuclear weapons starts with the Nuclear Fission technology, allowing you to start the Manhattan Project. Completing the Manhattan Project then unlocks the Rocketry technology, which is the key to building both nuclear and thermonuclear devices.
- The Manhattan Project: This World Project requires significant production in a city. Designate a high-production city to maximize your progress.
- Uranium: You’ll need a steady supply of Uranium to build and maintain your nuclear weapons. Keep an eye on the strategic resource map and secure deposits.
- Building the Bomb: Once you have the required technologies and resources, you can build a Thermonuclear Device in any city. The cost will be considerable, but the power is unmatched.
- Delivery Systems: Construct Bombers, Nuclear Submarines, or Missile Silos to deliver your devastating payload. Each has its advantages: Bombers are fast and mobile, Submarines are stealthy, and Silos offer the greatest range.
Launching Your Thermonuclear Strike
With your weapon in hand, the moment of truth arrives:
- Select Your Delivery Unit: Choose the Bomber, Submarine, or Silo that will deliver the Thermonuclear Device.
- Positioning: Move your unit within range of the target. Remember, Thermonuclear Devices have a range of 15 tiles.
- Targeting: Select the Thermonuclear Device from your unit’s actions. A targeting reticle will appear, allowing you to choose your impact zone.
- Confirm the Launch: A confirmation prompt will appear. Make sure you’re absolutely certain – there’s no turning back after this.
- Witness the Devastation: Watch as a mushroom cloud erupts, obliterating everything within a radius of 2 tiles.
The Aftermath: Dealing with the Fallout
The initial explosion is just the beginning. The long-term consequences of a Thermonuclear strike are severe:
- Radioactive Fallout: The target area and surrounding tiles will be contaminated with radioactive fallout. This causes 50 damage per turn to any land units (except Giant Death Robots) that end their turn on affected tiles.
- Impaired Production: Tiles contaminated by fallout cannot be used for production. This means you can’t repair improvements or districts in the affected area until the fallout is cleared.
- Diplomatic Fallout: Launching a Thermonuclear Device will incur significant warmonger penalties. Prepare for denouncements, embargoes, and even declarations of war from other civilizations.
- Cleaning Up: A Builder, Military Engineer, Legion, or Toa can be used to scrub the fallout from contaminated tiles, restoring them to productivity.
Strategy and Considerations
Using Thermonuclear weapons is a complex decision with far-reaching consequences. Here are some key considerations:
- Target Selection: Carefully choose your target. High-value cities, critical production centers, or strategically important chokepoints are all viable options.
- Diplomatic Impact: Be prepared for the global condemnation that will follow a nuclear strike. Consider the potential for retaliation and have defenses ready.
- Resource Management: Thermonuclear weapons are expensive to build and maintain. Ensure you have a strong economy to support your nuclear program.
- Alternative Strategies: Consider if a conventional war, espionage, or diplomatic maneuvering might achieve your goals with less risk and long-term damage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many tiles does a thermonuclear bomb destroy?
A Thermonuclear Device in Civilization VI has a blast radius of 2 tiles, meaning the target tile and all tiles within two tiles of it are affected by the initial blast.
How do I defend against nuclear attacks?
Mobile SAMs have a chance to shoot down nukes launched from Missile Silos and Nuclear Submarines if they target a tile within their defensive radius. Additionally, if a bomber is delivering a nuke within 1 tile of a Mobile SAM, the attack will fail if the Mobile SAM reduces the bomber’s HP below 50%. Building a strong air force and maintaining diplomatic relations can also deter nuclear strikes.
What’s the difference between a nuke and a thermonuclear device in Civ 6?
The thermonuclear device has a larger blast radius (2 tiles vs. 1 tile for a nuke) and a longer range (15 tiles vs. 12 tiles). It also requires more uranium to build and costs more gold per turn to maintain.
How long does fallout last after a thermonuclear attack?
Radioactive fallout lasts for 20 turns after a Thermonuclear Device is detonated, compared to 10 turns for a regular nuclear device.
Can you clean up nuclear fallout?
Yes! Builders, Military Engineers, Legions, and Toa can be used to clear fallout from contaminated tiles, restoring their productivity.
What are the warmonger penalties for using a thermonuclear device?
Using a Thermonuclear Device incurs significant warmonger penalties, negatively impacting your diplomatic relations with other civilizations. The exact penalty varies depending on the game speed and the target’s relationship with other leaders.
How do I make a nuclear power plant?
To build a Nuclear Plant, a city must have: (1) a factory; (2) a supply of uranium in its strategic resources box; and (3) a source of fresh water within its 21-tile city radius.
How often should you recommission a nuclear reactor in Civ 6?
The frequency depends on your risk tolerance. Recommissioning every 10 to 20 turns minimizes the risk of a meltdown, but the cost in production can be significant.
What is the downside of nukes in Civ 6?
Beyond the destruction and fallout, nukes trigger severe warmonger penalties, making diplomacy difficult. They also require a significant investment in research, production, and resource management.
What units can launch nukes in Civ 6?
Bomber aircraft, Nuclear Submarines, and Missile Silos can all be used to launch nuclear and thermonuclear devices.
How does a thermonuclear weapon work in real life?
Thermonuclear weapons, also known as Hydrogen bombs, utilize both atomic fission and nuclear fusion to create an explosion. The initial fission reaction creates the heat and pressure necessary to ignite the fusion reaction, releasing vast amounts of energy.
What is the most powerful bomb ever created?
The Tsar Bomba was the most powerful nuclear weapon ever created and tested.
What do you do with uranium in Civ 6?
Uranium is used to build nuclear weapons and some late-game military units, as well as to power nuclear power plants.
Why is it called thermonuclear?
Thermonuclear fusion uses extremely high temperatures to achieve nuclear fusion. Therefore, nuclear fusion at high temperature is called a thermo-nuclear reaction.
How can I learn more about the science and strategy behind games like Civilization VI?
Check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The Games Learning Society is a great resource to further your understanding of games and how games can be used for educational and learning purposes. They provide in depth research and helpful information to enrich your experience.
By mastering these elements, you can wield the power of Thermonuclear Devices effectively (if ethically questionable) in Civilization VI. Just remember to consider the long-term consequences before unleashing the apocalypse.