Anybody use these?

[Praetorian]

I generally Don't bother with Ironclads, since I am playing C3C I don't waste time learning that tech

 

[Sandman2003]

Helicopters - never
Ironclads - yes. If I was out in front researching, I wouldn't bother, but if you are behind then there is trading value, and ironclads vs frigates/galleons is a no-brainer. Also they upgrade to destroyers anyway. I like the fact that it is moved out as an optional tech, it improves the age of sail from what was almost non-existanr in PTW to a reasonable time in C3C.
Caravels - yes. Whether short lived or long lived they are a lot better than galleys, and you can upgrade to galleons when the times comes.

 

[Smellincoffee]

I never use copters, as I never research advanced flight. I used to use ironclades when they were a part of the required tech tree, but not now. No need. I use caravels all of the time; I usually build a good-sized fleet of galleys, which are upgraded every time they can be.

 

[Masquerouge]

I never use helis. I would if your dropped units could move after you dropped them, though. Like Paratrooper : it would be so great if it could move after being dropped !
Now it's more like : drop paratrooper/airborne troops behind enemy lines. End your turn. Watch enemy units crush your troops. Swear never to research that useless tech again, and use tanks instead.

 

[Xerol]

I usually build tons of ironclads because they're cheap. Then I'll use them to make a "safe channel" across any major waterways so that I get advanced warning if there's any AI ships approaching my transports. Usually by the MA my coastal cities are making enough shields to make one ironclad per turn but not enough for better naval vessels...and i will make some of the better ones, but ironclads make up most of the force, especially for bombarding enemy improvements on the shores.

 

[Praetorian]

I never use helis. I would if your dropped units could move after you dropped them, though. Like Paratrooper : it would be so great if it could move after being dropped !
Now it's more like : drop paratrooper/airborne troops behind enemy lines. End your turn. Watch enemy units crush your troops. Swear never to research that useless tech again, and use tanks instead.

I generally like to use Paras and tanks in a Pincer type movement

 

[MaisseArsouye]

I created a map were helicopters are essentials ! It's a "continent" representing the galaxy. There are 8 "arms" ( is this the correct english word ? ) and every civilization begin on its own "arm". The center of the galaxy is the only place were there is uranium, and it is protected by uncrossible mountains. So, the only way to have nuke is to be first to build an helicopter and to drop a settler there

 

[t3h_m013]

i used helicoptors once (iirc advanced flight wasnt optional in vanilla?) and backed up a D-Day force before i could build an airport (i was communist so rushing was tricky anyway).

i havnt used them recently because ive been able to get a foothold on another continnt and get aiports,...

 

[The Last Conformist]

Adv Flight was always optional.

 

[Dragonlor]

A lot of people seem to like Caravels. I guess I never used them because with the land mass types I pick I can usually find most of the AIs without traveling over too many sea squares.

 

[t3h_m013]

last conformist: my bad.

i always play continents or archipaligos so i always have to boat around

 

[Doc Tsiolkovski]

Helicopters can be extremely useful. Not for paradrops, that one I hardly ever used (and never really needed). But you can board those foot units that cannot be airlifted, and rebase to another continent! And being able to fly in Settlers and Explorers can make your day (dunno if it even works with Leaders, can't remember if they are a 'Foot Unit').
The only problem is the extra tech.

Caravels? Sure.
Ironclads? Built a couple, when I could get the Tech cheap, but didn't use them - before they reached any theatre, I could always build/upgrade Destroyers. But I love the MoW anyway, and with with England, you don't need no Ironclads.

 

[Kozmos]

Helicopter:Never used them,I built one for fun.

Ironcladestroyer comes quickly after this,so never used it.

Caravel:Sure.

 

[Praetorian]

A lot of people seem to like Caravels. I guess I never used them because with the land mass types I pick I can usually find most of the AIs without traveling over too many sea squares.

Caravels make good target practice

 

[viper275]

Helicopters: Yep! It's not as much about dropping troops in nearby spaces, it's about loading all the units you want from one continent into the helicopters you want, then re-base the helicopter to transport all the units to the other continent. Not too useful in Pangea though.

Ironclads: In vanilla Civ3/PTW, you want Steam Power anyway so you might as well build the Ironclads. In Conquests I wouldn't normally research a tech just for that unless there was a major military need for them.

Caravels: Even if the use is short-lived, I use them because I can transport more units in them (I think...) and it's great for going through sea squares.