Very quick question re: First Strike

[Ubiquitous]

What is a first strike, how useful is it and do you guys use it as opposed to more obvious upgrades such as strength +10%?

 

[Frewfrux]

As far as I can tell, first strike means that you first hit is determined and, if successful, damage is applied before a counter strike is determined.

I can't see it being all that usefull because there are several rounds of strikes in any given combat, and I think you only get a certain number of "first" strikes. That being said, I haven't actually done any testing to see how many more battles a unit with first strike will win verses a unit without.

 

[warpstorm]

If your unit is a little stronger than your enemy, it is very good. If you are a lot weaker or stronger, it is near useless.

 

[al_thor]

Early in the game (land-grab), I find that First Strike upgrade on my Archers is rather effective, ESPECIALLY if you turn on Raging Barbarians. An Archer with 2nd-level (or even 3rd) First Strike is an AWESOME defender.

Also, I noticed that the AI, when given a choice between attacking 2 different stacks, will actually avoid the stack with the First Strikers in it.

First Strike is obviously a Defensive upgrade and so I use it for my defenders and I have had some great success with it.

 

[RIT Beast]

I think it's more important if you have a unit that can attack multiple times against a weaker unit. The First Strike ability would give you a greater chance to kill the unit without taking damage. Also a good thing for defenders to have.

 

[TomOC]

I thought it was a first shot when your unit is being attacked... like archers and guerillas get in Civ III. The attacking unit is already injured when it goes to attack you. I could be wrong though.

 

[Artanis]

As others have said, it's most useful when your unit is stronger than its opponent, since it keeps that unit healthier overall than a straight strength upgrade would. When your unit is weaker or evenly matched with its enemy, a strength upgrade is far more useful.

I thought it was a first shot when your unit is being attacked... like archers and guerillas get in Civ III. The attacking unit is already injured when it goes to attack you. I could be wrong though.

It works when attacking and when defending.

 

[The Last Conformist]

First Strikes on offensive units is quite useful, because it negates the First Strikes on defenders such as Archers.

 

[Steelsmith]

My understanding is that First Strike means that when your unit is attacked, your defending unit actually strikes the first blow instead of the attacker. That is negated if the attacking unit also has first strike, though. But still, a handy thing to have for defending units.

 

[jdotmi]

I like putting First Strike on a couple Catapults. Keeps them alive while attacking way better than most other upgrades they can get. Plus all that delicious collateral damage. It's less impressive as they are upgraded and when you get Flight, but still. Early on it's a nice plus.

 

[al_thor]

First Strikes on offensive units is quite useful, because it negates the First Strikes on defenders such as Archers.

Hmmm......well, that's news to me. I always thought it was only a "defensive first shot" (or 2 or 3). I will have to start using this on some of my offensive units now........

 

[warpstorm]

Basically, a First Strike is a round of combat where you can not be injured if you lose the round. It works on attack or defense.

 

[al_thor]

Cool. Playing as an Aggr civ, I have had plenty of units at lvl-3 First Strike. But they were all city defenders upgraded from Archer through the ages. Watching the 'zoomed-in' battle, you could see my unit inflicting huge damage to the attacker BEFORE the attacker could even get in his first "swing".
Now I can't wait to try the upgrade on a few Axemen or maybe Jaguars.

Ever try it on a Catapult?

 

[panzooka]

dont get first strike, the system is majorly flawed, that even combat promotion works better at all cases.
and animation doesnt proove a thing, animation does not correspond to combat log

discussion here
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=140124
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=142596

 

[lysander]

I'm pretty sure on offense that they at least negate the first strikes of defenders. I take the promotion a lot with archers so that my riflemen and infantry can get the promotion when they upgrade. I've found that this makes them less likely to be damaged by longbowmen and catapults.
Additionally, I've been giving my armour units +2 withdrawl and the mobility promotions. This supposedly makes them immune to first strikes, and I've found that they do seem to fare better when fighting first strike units. So i'd recomend the promotion.

 

[al_thor]

So the bottom line is: First Strike is worthless? Reading the other thread, there seemed to be a mixed bag of opinions. Warpstorm seems to think it is working as designed. Panzooka swears that it is flawed. I'm beginning to think that it is flawed.
One thing that I did learn is that I'm going to download that Combat Odds Calculator that works. I don't recall seeing this addressed in the first patch? Bogus.

 

[henrycccc]

First strikes are random. Units can have 1-2 first strikes etc. The drill 1 upgrade is almost useless extra (first strike CHANCE), but the drill 2 give you a solid +1 first strike.

If your unit can get both Drill 1 and Drill 2 in the same turn, then go ahead. If not, combat 1 is better.