Deciphering Nuclear Delivery in Civilization VI: Which Planes Can Unleash Atomic Fury?

In Civilization VI, the strategic use of nuclear weapons can drastically alter the course of a game. While the game doesn’t explicitly name specific aircraft models, the crucial takeaway is that any Bomber-class unit is capable of delivering nuclear weapons once you’ve researched the appropriate technologies and produced the Nuclear Device or Thermonuclear Device. These units can then be deployed from your cities or airfields to strike enemy targets within their range. The range and devastation of these weapons are determined by the specific nuclear device utilized.

Understanding Nuclear Warfare in Civ 6

Nuclear weapons are endgame technologies in Civilization VI, representing the pinnacle of destructive power. Before you can rain atomic fire upon your rivals, you’ll need to navigate the late-game technology tree, specifically focusing on technologies like Rocketry and Nuclear Fission. Once researched, these unlock the projects required to manufacture nuclear devices in your cities with access to Uranium.

Bomber Class Units

The Bomber class of units is your primary means of delivering these devastating payloads. This class includes:

• Bomber: The standard, early-game bomber. It is the first unit capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

• Stealth Bomber: A more advanced bomber that is harder for enemies to detect and intercept.

These bomber units require airfields or cities with aerodromes to be stationed and launched from. Ensure you have these strategic locations secured to effectively deploy your nuclear arsenal.

The Devastation They Unleash

The two nuclear weapons in Civilization VI are:

• Nuclear Device: This weapon has a blast radius of 1 tile and a range of 12 tiles.

• Thermonuclear Device: This weapon has a larger blast radius of 2 tiles and a range of 15 tiles.

Upon detonation, these weapons inflict massive damage to units, districts, and buildings within the blast radius. Furthermore, they leave behind radioactive fallout that contaminates the tiles, causing damage to any units that end their turn on them and preventing improvements and repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nuclear Weapons and Delivery in Civ 6

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to nuclear weapons and their delivery in Civilization VI:

1. How do I unlock the ability to build nuclear weapons? You need to research Rocketry and Nuclear Fission in the late-game technology tree. Then, you’ll be able to produce Nuclear Devices and Thermonuclear Devices in cities with Uranium.

2. What resources are required to build a nuke? You need Uranium to build both Nuclear Devices and Thermonuclear Devices. Thermonuclear Devices require more Uranium than Nuclear Devices.

3. Can a nuclear weapon be intercepted? Yes, nuclear weapons can be intercepted by anti-air units stationed in cities or as support units. However, the interception isn’t guaranteed and requires multiple anti-air units to increase the chances of success.

4. What is the range of a nuclear weapon? A Nuclear Device has a range of 12 tiles, while a Thermonuclear Device has a range of 15 tiles.

5. What is the blast radius of a nuclear weapon? A Nuclear Device has a blast radius of 1 tile, while a Thermonuclear Device has a blast radius of 2 tiles.

6. What are the consequences of using nuclear weapons? Nuclear weapons cause massive damage to units, districts, and buildings within their blast radius. They also create radioactive fallout, which contaminates the tiles and damages units ending their turns on them. This prevents improvements and repairs for a period.

7. How do I protect my cities from nuclear attacks? Build and station anti-air units in your cities. Having multiple anti-air units will increase the chances of intercepting incoming nuclear weapons. Also, consider spacing out your districts to minimize damage from a single blast.

8. Are there any unique civilizations that have bonuses related to nuclear weapons? No particular civilization has direct bonuses to nuclear weapons. However, civilizations with strong science outputs can reach the necessary technologies faster, giving them an edge in the nuclear arms race.

9. How does the AI use nuclear weapons? The AI will use nuclear weapons strategically, typically targeting densely populated cities or strategic locations like wonders or resource-rich areas. The AI’s decision-making process is influenced by its relationship with you and the current state of the game.

10. What is the difference between a Nuclear Device and a Thermonuclear Device? The Thermonuclear Device has a larger blast radius (2 tiles vs. 1) and a longer range (15 tiles vs. 12) than the Nuclear Device. It also requires more Uranium to produce and maintain.

11. Can naval units launch nuclear weapons? The article makes reference to Nuclear Submarines being able to deploy these weapons, but Civ 6 does not contain Nuclear Submarines as part of its unit roster. Only the Bomber and Stealth Bomber are able to deploy these weapons.

12. Does Gandhi always use nuclear weapons in Civ 6? While Gandhi’s “Nuke Happy” hidden agenda from Civilization V isn’t explicitly present in Civilization VI, the AI personality does tend to prioritize science and military strength, which can lead to him developing and using nuclear weapons.

13. What is the Giant Death Robot’s relationship with Nuclear fallout? The Giant Death Robot unit is immune to the effects of radioactive fallout.

14. What is the Red Death mode in Civilization VI? The Red Death is the radioactive mass that is consuming the planet. A Safe Zone ring will appear on the map. Red Death is a multiplayer game mode that eliminates city-building and focuses on unit survival within a post-apocalyptic landscape. Players compete to be the last civilization standing, while avoiding the encroaching “Red Death.”

15. How can Games Learning Society help me understand more about the Civilization Games? The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org promotes research and understanding of how games can be used for educational purposes, including strategic thinking developed through games like Civilization VI.

Mastering the Nuclear Option

Effectively utilizing nuclear weapons in Civilization VI requires a careful balance of strategic planning, resource management, and diplomacy. Knowing which Bomber-class units can carry these weapons is crucial, but understanding the consequences and preparing for retaliation is equally important. Use them wisely, and you can reshape the world to your liking. But be prepared for the world to hate you.