Among the key methods of destroying enemy cities and their defending armies is aerial warfare in Civilization VI. As deadly angels, bombardments and strike craft inflict your nation’s wrath upon all who oppose you. Due to their advanced nature, aircraft aren’t acquired early in the game, and with their high requirements, you could go an entire game without using one. A combination of aircraft, land vehicles, and naval vessels is often the most efficient way to defeat any competent army. This combined arms approach uses aircraft not only to weaken enemy forces but also their infrastructure.
Nations possessing high-speed bombers are threatening forces on the battlefield! Conventional forces cannot target aircraft, as they are hard to target. With their sheer destructive potential, even a small force of aircraft can turn a battle around! Airstrips and aerodrome districts are essential assets for acquiring aircraft. Military engineers can construct airstrips so that aircraft can be stationed outside of major cities. Any place with open water will become a prime target for bombing runs as aircraft carriers make up a large portion of aircraft movement.
Basic Usage
Depending on how the player wishes to use them, aircraft can be used for large-scale destruction or reconnaissance. Because they can only move a limited distance before returning to an airbase, they are unique among military campaigns. Due to their limited use, they make excellent ranged defenders, as well as temporary attackers who deal large damage when available. In Civilization VI, sending nuclear devices to rival cities is the most effective use of aircraft. Aircraft are essential for quick ends through dirty methods because jet bombers are one of two or three methods of delivering nuclear devices.
Bombers and fighters are effective air attackers
Despite having limited space availability, aircraft are highly useful for scorched earth tactics, even without nuclear weapons. In addition to destroying enemy units, they can destroy the tiles they stand on, making bombing enemies extremely easy. Aircraft can attack anyone, making them immune to most forms of damage unless a nation becomes prepared. In addition to being quick means to an end, aircraft also serve the unique purpose of being used only for offense or scouting.
Limitations
Civilization VI is notoriously difficult to acquire aircraft due to the amount of resources required for aerodromes, as well as the cost of building them. Since aircraft have a limited range and limited infrastructure, nations constantly invest in more buildings to allow them to travel across the globe. Despite their ability to evade damage, aircraft remain extremely vulnerable to anti-air guns and SAM turrets, which remain their direct countermeasures.
As nations become increasingly prepared to deal with these methods of mass destruction, aircraft become exceedingly expensive to use. Players and NPCs alike will oppose the use of nuclear warheads, forming alliances against you instead. Even if you have concentrated all your resources on planes and nukes, you can’t take on the world alone. Air power alone is not capable of winning a game, but it makes achieving victory that much easier!
Airstrips are essential for building reach with your air units
Creating Aircraft
Aircraft can be tricky to build as they require aluminum and a lot of production points in order to finish. Aircraft require large amounts of research into aerodynamics and other key components that can result in a long-term wait for any to be seen. Nations go their entire game without needing aircraft, however, the more they are utilized, the quicker a conquest victory can transpire. These weapons of war are incredibly expensive, and thus need to be protected at all costs as even one being destroyed can cost a nation greatly in resources and time!
Housing Aircraft
Infrastructure that’s essential to maintaining a large airforce includes the basics of aerodromes, aircraft carriers, and airstrips. Each of these methods is costly, however, can provide your nation with vital assets if you fill them with fresh aircraft. Your city centers are capable of carrying basic aircraft, holding up to two. This can be increased by a further four if you construct an Aerodrome with a hanger and airport inside. An aircraft carrier in port can carry two more aircraft, and airstrips can individually add three a piece. Thus a nation with one of each of these methods per city can produce 11 aircraft to use in battle. Most of these methods can be accomplished via city-building tasks; however, the airstrips are a special production of the military engineer!
Types of Aircraft
Two types of aircraft will be acquired in Civilization VI to assist you in aerial warfare! The first and most effective variant will be bombers as they hold the ability to destroy fortifications and cities with ease! The second will be the use of fighter units which are effective against opposing military units and other aircraft. Each of these types of aircraft is useful in its own way but holds a specific role on the battlefield. Learning them allows a player to not only use aircraft effectively but maximize their lifespan during a game!
Different aerial units
Bomber Units
When looking to destroy cities and other fortifications late game, the use of bombers can be quintessential to victory. As a direct response to any opposing military force, these units tend to replace older artillery. Without a doubt, bombers are among the strongest military units in the game, capable of quickly destroying armies and conventional defenses. Due to their capability to carry nuclear warheads and conventional munitions, these units are targets of interception. Whenever speed and aggression are the best-case scenarios, bombers are one of the heavy hands of any military force.
Fighter Units
Aircraft designated with the fighter role are powerful, and versatile additions to any military when it comes to aerial warfare. Used for everything from defensive interceptions to aggressive ground and pound operations, it’s easy to see how these units become a boon to any combined assault. They deal less damage than traditional bombers however can pack a mean punch against traditional land and sea targets. Capable of engaging other aircraft, fighters are essential for keeping enemy bombers out of your airspace. Generally, fighter units are faster and more agile than bombers, meant to be one of their direct counters when dealing with enemy nations.
Strategic use
There are multiple ways that aircraft can be utilized in order to produce the results needed for an early victory. Aerial warfare is all about bringing down as much destructive force as possible on the enemy in order for them to surrender or cease to exist. Hence, aircraft can be both a blessing and a curse to an aspiring nation, since aircraft can be deployed both offensively and defensively. When your aggressors try and bring large armies of troops toward you, bombers, and fighters can make quick work of them. With aircraft, battles can be sped up and resolved with deadly force, leaving opponents shaken and disheveled.
Aerial attacks
Bombardments – Airstrikes
A major advantage of aircraft is their ability to deliver deadly explosive payloads without putting your artillery and infantry at risk. Airstrikes, or bombing runs, can wipe out basic targets or at the very least soften them up for ranged attacks. The effectiveness of airstrikes extends not only to individual combat units but also to city defenses and fortifications. These airstrikes use conventional weapons, saving nuclear options for last resort. Nations are more likely to forgive you for conventional bombs than they are for nuclear, so make them count!
Nuclear and Thermonuclear Attacks
Using airstrikes may be beneficial in direct engagements, but nuclear attacks may be more effective if the enemy holds the upper hand. Thermonuclear detonations are much more powerful than nuclear detonations, so they can cripple cities and armies. Every time you use these devices, the environment and world around you are affected; and everyone turns against you. As a result of their wide-scale destruction, nuclear strikes are unwise when conventional firepower can suffice. Nations that have been struck by nuclear bombs can still exist, however, they will be in extreme ecological danger.
Ground and Pound Strikes
Fighter planes are capable of being used for a variety of tasks including the use of ground and pound missions. Air units can engage ground and naval forces as an additional ranged attacker by engaging ground and pound strikes. A fighter plane can interact with other forces in a classic combined arms approach when close to home or an aircraft carrier. It is true that fighters are great for softening up ground targets, but ground, and pound operations are also excellent for weakening fortifications and cities.
-source Su-Pa-Kidge
Interception Tactics
Interceptions are a key method of keeping opposing aircraft out of your airspace. A dogfight is an intercept when two air units engage one another directly in aerial warfare. Fighters must be on patrol in order to intercept, but during this time there can be limited aerial combat over battlefields or isolated. When used properly, interceptions can stop nuclear strikes before they happen as well as enemy bombardments. It’s essential to keep air units on reserve in major cities in case of these attacks as they may be able to intercept the enemy!
Recon
Generally, aircraft make for great temporary recon units in situations where an army or fleet is heading into unknown territory. The fact that these units are able to maintain flight and stay out of direct danger allows them to survey an area for a way before needing to distance back due to their limited use. Aircraft carriers and airstrips allow these scouting campaigns to go on longer and with more effectiveness, however, require a lot of resources in the long run. Remember that enemy nations may have anti-air weapons, so keep your planes clear of enemy territory when scouting!
Healing Air Units
You have to know that airborne units can’t heal outside of bases or airstrips. aircraft when shot, you can recover it instead of destroying it by having an airstrip, an airbase, and an aircraft carrier network. Make sure you invest in as many of these as you can so you don’t spend a fortune. You just base your aircraft when you don’t need them, and they’ll be continuously safe. Bombers and fighters are a favorite of the enemy to destroy, guard them well!
Nuclear attacks are one of the best methods of defeating your enemies!
Continuous Support
Aircraft provide unique bonuses to any military due to their bombing and ground-striking potential. Even more so than that, they allow for your military to stay out on campaign even longer. The game puts a lot of emphasis on using aircraft to not only prolong your ability to fight but to know the enemy before you get tired. Some players may find their limited use a hindrance, but by learning the clockwork timing of aircraft you’ll be able to provide constant fire support! Remember that your airforce is only as strong as the depths it can reach, so continue building new structures, and keep demanding the best of your environmental bonuses!
Combined Arms – Aerial Branch
Combing your military factions, navy, army, and airforce allows you as a leader to maximize the military’s effectiveness. In the use of aerial warfare, bombing, and striking campaigns are essential for laying the groundwork for the army and navy. During tough fights, some simple air support can make all the difference, even if it doesn’t destroy the entire problem. In a game like Civilization VI, airstrikes can save vital resources, as shown in movies and literature worldwide. Get the most out of your airforce by following your gut and tactical mind, and remember stronger opponents will always exist!
Open Skies to Victory
You can ensure peace and prosperity throughout the land regardless of who you play as in Civilization VI. There is a hope in every fiber of human culture that one day we will rule the skies. As a result of air forces and modern science, we have in many ways begun to do so. Will you resort to the nuclear option, or use your weapons of mass destruction only against the purest of evils? There is an entire world out there to conquer, the skies will be yours to master!
