Unleashing Armageddon: A Comprehensive Guide to Nuclear Warfare in Civilization VI
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So, you’re ready to dominate the world stage and usher in a new era… of radioactive fallout? In Civilization VI, the path to victory can sometimes lead through the mushroom cloud. But before you start lighting up the map, you need to know what units and structures can actually launch those devastating nuclear weapons.
The answer is straightforward: You can launch nukes in Civ 6 using the following:
- Bombers: These classic aerial units, specifically the Bomber and the Jet Bomber, can carry and deploy both Nuclear Devices and Thermonuclear Devices. Their range allows them to strike targets far from your territory.
- Nuclear Submarines: Silent and deadly, the Nuclear Submarine is a naval unit capable of launching both Nuclear Devices and Thermonuclear Devices. Their stealth capabilities allow them to position themselves close to enemy coastlines before unleashing their payload.
- Missile Silos: These improvements, once built on your territory, offer a secure and strategic launching point for both Nuclear Devices and Thermonuclear Devices. While stationary, they provide excellent range and protection.
Once you’ve researched the necessary technologies (Manhattan Project and Nuclear Fission for Nuclear Devices, and Advanced Ballistics for Thermonuclear Devices), these units and structures can be loaded with your newly produced weapons of mass destruction. Remember, a Nuclear or Thermonuclear Device is added to your inventory and can be assigned to any of the aforementioned units. Now, let’s dive into some frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nukes in Civilization VI
H3 1. How do I actually build a nuke in Civ 6?
To build a Nuclear Device, you must first research the Manhattan Project technology, which requires a significant investment in science. After completing the Manhattan Project you must then research Nuclear Fission. You will also need Uranium resources to construct these devastating weapons. Once you have both the tech and the resources, you can produce the nuke in any city.
H3 2. What’s the difference between a Nuclear Device and a Thermonuclear Device?
The Thermonuclear Device is the upgraded version of the Nuclear Device. It has a larger blast radius (2 tiles instead of 1), a longer range (15 tiles instead of 12), and, unsurprisingly, deals significantly more damage. It also requires the Advanced Ballistics technology to build.
H3 3. Can nukes be intercepted in Civ 6?
Yes, nukes can be intercepted! Any anti-air unit, such as Mobile SAMs or Anti-Air Guns, has a chance to intercept an incoming Nuclear Device or Thermonuclear Device. However, interception isn’t guaranteed, and multiple anti-air units are recommended to increase the chances of successfully shooting down the missile.
H3 4. What happens if I nuke a city?
Nuking a city is a game-changer. The city’s population is drastically reduced, its health and walls are set to zero, and any units within the blast radius are instantly destroyed. The surrounding tiles are also irradiated, creating Fallout that damages units passing through and reduces tile yields. The city will also take a substantial hit to its amenities and overall production.
H3 5. What is Fallout and how do I remove it?
Fallout is the radioactive contamination left behind after a nuclear explosion. It deals damage to units that enter the affected tiles and reduces the tile yields. To remove Fallout, you need a Builder, Military Engineer, Legion, or Toa unit. These units have an action to “Scrub Fallout,” which removes the radiation from the tile.
H3 6. What are the diplomatic consequences of using nukes?
Using nukes has severe diplomatic consequences. You will be branded a warmonger, and your relations with other civilizations will plummet. Some leaders, like Gandhi (who has a hidden agenda called “Nuke Happy”), may be more forgiving, but generally, expect to be ostracized and potentially face a united front against you.
H3 7. How do Missile Silos work?
Missile Silos are tile improvements that allow you to launch Nuclear Devices and Thermonuclear Devices from a fixed location. They offer a strategic advantage by providing a long-range strike capability, but they are also vulnerable to attack. Once a missile is launched from a Silo, the silo is destroyed. As the article states, silos are designed for one-time “hot-launch” use, the rocket engines igniting within the silo and essentially destroying it as the missile departs.
H3 8. 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. This range is measured from the launching unit or Missile Silo.
H3 9. How much does it cost to maintain a nuke?
Maintaining a Nuclear Device costs 14 gold per turn. These costs add up, so only produce the necessary devices to launch your attacks.
H3 10. Is Gandhi really more likely to use nukes in Civ 6?
Yes, this is a long-running joke. It has been incorporated into Civilization VI as a hidden agenda called “Nuke Happy,” which Gandhi has a 70% chance of having.
H3 11. Can City-States be nuked?
Absolutely. City-States are just as vulnerable to nuclear attacks as any other city. However, nuking a City-State will likely result in a war declaration from its suzerain, if it has one.
H3 12. What happens in the “Red Death” game mode regarding nukes?
In the “Red Death” multiplayer mode, the world is already devastated by a nuclear apocalypse. The goal is to be the last civilization with a surviving civilian unit, while avoiding the ever-encroaching Red Death (a radioactive mass). Nukes are still present and can be used to eliminate other players, but with even greater consequences given the already fragile state of the world.
H3 13. How does Nuclear Power work in Civ 6?
Nuclear Power Plants can provide a significant boost to your city’s production. To unlock this power source, you must have built an Industrial Zone (or a replacement, such as the Hansa) and research Nuclear Fission. You will then be able to construct Nuclear Power Plants and use the Convert to Nuclear Power project.
H3 14. What is the risk of using Nuclear Power?
Nuclear Power Plants carry a risk of Meltdown. This can be reduced by recommissioning your nuclear reactor regularly, and the frequency of the recommissioning should depend on your level of tolerance for risk.
H3 15. Can mobile launchers be used to launch nukes?
In Civilization VI, the term mobile launcher could be used to describe Bombers and Nuclear Submarines, since both of these are considered military units that can move across the map to launch Nuclear Devices and Thermonuclear Devices at enemy targets.
Hopefully, this guide has armed you with the knowledge needed to effectively wield nuclear weapons in Civilization VI. Remember, with great power comes great responsibility. So choose your targets wisely, and always be prepared for the fallout. Looking for more information on the educational aspects of games? Visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Good luck, and may your enemies tremble before your nuclear might!