I like the way some of the air mechanics work as is but there does need to be some modification for everyone's sanity as well as a more realistic functionality.
- Keep movement for air units the same. I don't see F-15's rolling down my interstate. They should continue to exist in bases only unless on the attack/defense or flying to another base.
- However, should be the ability to construct Airbases both inside and outside one's territory. Should cost maintenance. Unlocked upon discover of Radar.
- Change air mechanics so that only units from Modern-Information Era can defend themselves from air attack. No way in hell i'm bombing a pikeman with my B-2 stealth bomber from 40,000 feet and i'm getting damaged. If there is a huge tech disparity within a game I see no logical reason to give completely unfounded combat abilities to people who haven't caught up yet. European invasion of the New World anyone?
- However, I would give the option, post-flight, of a Air Defense promotion for those Civ's that haven't upgraded their units just yet. The Taliban fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan back in the 80's with CIA issued Stinger anti-air missiles is a great example that with the right effort/money forces who lacked the technology personally could still use it effectively.
- The Air Defense promotion could be used by advanced units as well instead of a general ranged defense or cover promotion. Gives similar cover, but damages aircraft more. Not sure if this promotion should be targeted by the air-sweep ability that goes after specialized defenses. But it probably should be for balancing reasons. Otherwise, I would just crank out a carpet of air-defense upgraded doom and laugh at everything the other civ could throw at me short of nukes.
Getting away from air-combat, some I really wished they brought back from Civ3
- Colonies - Allows you to utilize a Strategic or Luxury Resource outside your Civ's boundaries. Constructed by / Consumes a worker. Should also cost gpt to maintain and maybe even a upfront cost based on distance. I'm surprised this wasn't in the game to start because of the policy / happiness mechanic to check your traditional city growth and spamming. Could possibly have a restriction on how many you could use, maybe cap it at 3 or equal to number of owned cities for balancing. And the colony would be removed if you another Civ founds an actual city in the area.
Thoughts?