Treetop Defense: What's it do?

[suedenim]

As far as I can tell, the effect of this spell isn't documented anywhere in the Civilopedia. What's it do, briefly, and when can one cast it?

 

[MagisterCultuum]

It causes the units in the stack to become fully fortified. Usually the defensive bonus a unit gains when fortified increases by 5% for up to 5 turns (I think I got those numbers right, but I'm not sure). This spell causes the units to fortify and to gain the full bonus instantly.


(Before .31, it provided the Treetop Defense promotion, which granted +2 first strikes but only while the unit is in the forest. Before BtS this promotion would always give the strikes, but would wear off if the unit left a forested tile.)

 

[thapagan]

I think it got the big nerf, but your mileage may vary.

 

[Vehem]

I think it got the big nerf, but your mileage may vary.

Move your stack upto an enemy stack in a forest, then instantly gain 25% (or 50% for defensive) in addition to the Forest Bonus (+Elf Bonus - they'll probably get the best use of it...) - still seems pretty potent...

Definitely a defensive spell, but one that can be pretty handy against the AI (and barbarians especially - even an elven adept can handle a minor horde using this).

 

[EverNoob]

The Elohim probably get the most benefit from treetop defense. They can train units with the defensive promotion via chancel of guardians, doubling the fortification bonus to +50%. They also start with nature mana.