Controlling the skies.

[sourboy]

I guess I didn't notice before (or it could be the mod I'm playing), but couple questions about air combat:

1) What does it take to make a strategic bomb strike? If I read the Civilopedia correctly, all I need is Stealth planes attacking cities that possess building. However, in my current game I can only make a regular bomb run. Now, my gut feeling says I need Laser or Smart technology for precision strikes, is this true or is there something else going on here?

2) While looking up the above, I noticed the Civilopedia says that Stealth Fighters can't be set to 'Control the Skies' like a Fighter Jet can. If this is true, what's the point of creating Stealth Fighters? It seems to me they are only good for bombing runs and reconn missions, which is secondary to the power of Stealth Bombers own bombing runs. Am I missing something here?

thx

 

[Gumby78]

1. Smart Weapons tech is needed for Precision Bombing.

 

[KrikkitTwo]

If I recall correctly, Stealth fighters have some defense so they are even Less likely to get shot down than a Stealth Bomber.

 

[sourboy]

Stealth in general gives a better chance of not being shot down, but there is no benefit to fighters over bombers, other then maybe A/D/M.

The more I test air, the more I notice that Stealth Bombers seem to not hit as much, though do more damage when they do. Is there something in cities that can reduce bombing run success against it, other then anti-air batteries?

 

[Phoenix]

The advantage of the fighters is that they can sweep the skies of the enemy aircraft (if they come up to challenge you) because of their greater defence. Also they have 8 for attack (bomber = 0) but I'm not sure why since they cannot perform control the skies (of your own skies any way). They have half the bombardment but also are half the price. Personaly though I change them in the editor so they can perform control the skies.

 

[dmanakho]

I yet to use stealth bombers or fighters...
I've played for many months now and usually play on monarch level...
game is almost always over way before stealth tech is invented..
But I love to use regular bombers..
Those are superb invasion force..
You can literraly take any city with without a single shot if you have 20 to 30 bombers... UNlike artillery bombers can kill defending units and in couple of turns and bombing raids bombers can eliminate every city defender and you can march in to the city with a single infantry unit (hey it could be even a spear).. Well.. then you will have a task to protect city from taking it back but this is another story