Guide for nuking?

[Ralgar]

Couple of questions:
Is there a guide or explanation of ICBM weapons? I know that nuking a city will cost it a few citizens and damage units. Does multiple nukes on the same target also destroy units? Does it destroy enemy nukes? If yes, a first strike would be game breaking, because retaliation is not possible. Also how is the global warming effect calculated?

 

[Cookie Crumbs]

Normally it takes two nukes to wipe out all units on affected tiles. Nukes aren't very good anyway because they're single use and are extremely expensive, and nuking destroys most population and buildings in a city (not to mention the fallout). The only real use for nuking is for conquest victory, when you don't actually want the land.

 

[Idiodyssey]

The only real use for nuking is for conquest victory, when you don't actually want the land.

Oh I disagree I think they're great for spite and revenge!

 

[Cam_H]

Couple of questions:
Is there a guide or explanation of ICBM weapons? I know that nuking a city will cost it a few citizens and damage units. Does multiple nukes on the same target also destroy units? Does it destroy enemy nukes? If yes, a first strike would be game breaking, because retaliation is not possible. Also how is the global warming effect calculated?

Civilization IV: Preview Articles - Nuclear Weapons in Civilization IV although is a 'preview' item written back in October 2005, it still looks pretty current to me.

Nuclear attacks can be invaluable in 'Space races' as well. I brought Japan to a grinding halt after unleashing an ICBM barrage (it was a Vanilla game) - not only could he not build his Spaceship parts, his technology advancement essentially stopped from that point on, unable to get to Fusion, Genetics and Ecology.

 

[Unconquered Sun]

Nuking gets exponentially better hammer-to-hammer tradeoff on higher difficulty levels. Take a look on this thread for a good nuke attack.

 

[futurehermit]

I tried out nukes in a recent game. They can be good for domination attempts too I think for your late game push. Basically, drop 2 nukes on a city, send your army in to take it. Rinse repeat and march through an empire. Pretty effective. Yeah, you can't really develop the cities to do much, but by that point in the game it shouldn't really matter.

 

[CivDude86]

I'm told its good for a diplo victory (you heard that right). You nuke out enough of your oppenents pop to give yourself more votes.

 

[tycoonist]

yeah done the nuke and move tactic many times

 

[Mercenary82]

Nuking is the only way I have ever gotten diplomatic victories.

 

[Greeneyedzombie]

Nuking is the only way I have ever gotten diplomatic victories.

After nuking I rather win by space race. cause the whole earths turned to dessert after I'm done nuking. But they are great for petty revenge.