The Lingering Shadow: How Long Does a Nuke Really Last in Civ 6?

In the world of Civilization VI, the specter of nuclear war looms large, a game-changer that can reshape empires and redefine victory. But beyond the mushroom cloud and the immediate devastation, a crucial question remains: How long does the radioactive fallout from a nuke actually linger, impacting your gameplay and strategic decisions?

The answer is straightforward, yet nuanced:

• Nuclear Devices: Fallout contaminates the target tile and all adjacent tiles for 10 turns.
• Thermonuclear Devices: Fallout contaminates the target tile and all tiles within a radius of 2 for 20 turns.

These turns represent the period where the tile is rendered nearly unusable, and the consequences of this contamination are significant. Let’s delve deeper into what this actually means for your Civ 6 experience.

Understanding the Fallout: The Immediate and Long-Term Effects

The duration of the fallout is just one piece of the puzzle. The effects of that fallout are what truly dictate the strategic implications. Here’s a breakdown:

• Unit Damage: Any unit (except the terrifying Giant Death Robot) that ends its turn on a contaminated tile suffers 50 damage. This makes moving troops through affected areas incredibly risky and can decimate an unprepared army.
• Production Paralysis: Production in contaminated tiles grinds to a halt. You can’t repair damaged districts, build new improvements, or even work existing tiles. This severely cripples a city’s output and can leave it vulnerable.
• City Disruption: The presence of fallout significantly impacts a city’s ability to function. Even if the city center itself isn’t directly hit, surrounding contaminated tiles can cripple its food production, production capacity, and overall growth.

Essentially, a nuked city (or area) becomes a wasteland for the duration of the fallout. Planning around this reality is crucial for both offensive and defensive strategies.

Strategic Implications: Offense and Defense

Knowing the duration of nuclear fallout allows for calculated offensive and defensive moves.

• Offensive: Use nukes strategically to cripple key enemy cities or industrial centers. Time your attacks to coincide with invasion plans, knowing that the enemy will be hampered in their ability to respond for the next 10 or 20 turns, depending on the nuke used.
• Defensive: Spread your cities and infrastructure to minimize the impact of a single nuclear strike. Invest in anti-air defenses to intercept incoming nukes, and develop a contingency plan for dealing with the aftermath of a nuclear attack, including the relocation of population and resources.
• Exploitation: If you can’t prevent nukes from being dropped on your territories, see if you can use their effects against the aggressor by forcing them to engage your troops while both forces are taking radiation damage. You can move your troops away when they are low. The AI might not recognize this trap.
• Diplomacy: Nuclear weapons can be used for diplomacy if you are ahead technologically. If you possess a nuclear weapon, you can threaten an enemy leader with its use if they do not acquiesce to your demands.

Nuclear Winter is Coming: Be Prepared

The strategic use of nuclear weapons in Civilization VI is a complex and often morally questionable endeavor. However, understanding the duration and effects of nuclear fallout is essential for making informed decisions and navigating the treacherous landscape of late-game warfare. From city planning to military tactics, this knowledge can be the difference between victory and utter annihilation. For more about the educational applications of games like Civilization VI, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nukes in Civ 6

1. Can I completely destroy a city with nukes?

Yes, a few well-placed nukes can effectively shut down a city. They deplete its HP and Defense Strength, render its tiles inoperable due to fallout, and leave its owner with severely diminished resources. While the city itself might not be erased from the map, its functionality can be crippled for a long time.

2. How do I protect my cities from nuclear attacks?

Invest in anti-air units (like Mobile SAMs or Jet Fighters) to intercept incoming nuclear weapons. Having multiple intercepting units around key cities increases your chances of successfully shooting down a nuke before it hits.

3. Does the AI use nukes in Civ 6?

Yes, the AI is capable of building and using nuclear weapons strategically (or sometimes, not so strategically!). Be prepared for the possibility of nuclear attack from any AI civilization that has the necessary technology.

4. What is the blast radius of a nuke in Civ 6?

A Nuclear Device has a blast radius of 1 tile (affecting the target tile and all adjacent tiles), while a Thermonuclear Device has a blast radius of 2 tiles.

5. How do I launch a nuke in Civ 6?

Once you’ve built a Nuclear or Thermonuclear Device, you can launch it from a Bomber, a Nuclear Submarine, or a Missile Silo. Select the unit and target a tile within its range.

6. Are nukes worth building in Civ 6?

Nukes are powerful area-of-effect weapons that can cripple enemy cities and armies. However, they also carry a significant warmonger penalty and can provoke retaliatory strikes. Weigh the strategic benefits against the potential diplomatic and long-term consequences.

7. What is the range of a nuke in Civ 6?

Nuclear Devices have a range of 12 tiles, while Thermonuclear Devices have a range of 15 tiles.

8. How much does it cost to maintain a nuke in Civ 6?

Nuclear Devices cost 14 gold per turn to maintain.

9. What happens to units caught in a nuclear blast?

Units within the blast radius take heavy damage. Furthermore, any unit (except Giant Death Robots) that ends its turn on a contaminated tile will continue to take 50 damage per turn.

10. How do I get rid of radioactive fallout?

You can’t directly remove radioactive fallout in Civ 6. It disappears naturally after the specified number of turns (10 for Nuclear Devices, 20 for Thermonuclear Devices).

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

Using nuclear weapons incurs a significant warmonger penalty, damaging your diplomatic relations with other civilizations. Be prepared for denouncements, trade embargoes, and even declarations of war.

12. Can I capture a city immediately after nuking it?

Yes, nukes significantly reduce a city’s HP and Defense Strength, making it much easier to capture. This can allow even weaker melee units to seize a heavily defended city after a nuclear strike.

13. Does the Red Death scenario in Civ 6 involve nukes?

Yes, the Red Death scenario revolves around a radioactive mass consuming the planet. Players compete to survive in this post-apocalyptic world, making the management of radiation and fallout a central element of gameplay.

14. Can Great People be killed by nukes in Civ 6?

Yes, Great People are vulnerable to nuclear blasts. Protect your Great People by keeping them away from potential target areas.

15. Are there any civilizations that are more likely to use nukes?

While any civilization can use nukes, some leaders, like Gandhi, have a hidden agenda called “Nuke Happy,” making them more likely to build and use nuclear weapons. Keep a close eye on these leaders as the game progresses.