What are the benefits of a "First Strike," exactly?

[Greek Plunder]

Okay, to some this is a dumb question, I'm sure, but I have never truly been clear on what a first strike for a unit does for me. Perhaps I don't understand exactly how combat occurs? Does it go in rounds, and a first strike just gives me an extra round at the beginning? Is that right?

Also, if it's in the Civilopedia, someone let me know! I've searched and searched and can't find a real explanation of it. I also couldn't find what I was looking for using the search in the forum.

Also, in what circumstances are first strikes the most useful? Defending? Attacking? is there any real difference in circumstances for it?

 

[Frodus]

Basically as you said, a first strike allows you to get a free round of attacking the enemy. While being not as strong as Combat promotions, it allows your units to have a better chance to leave the battle with more hp (with enough first strikes, you have a good chance of killing weaker units before the first strikes are over).

Drill 1,2,3 are quite weak (note that first strike is different from first strike chance. First strike chance give you a chance to have a first strike, while first strike guarantees a first strike). The only reason to upgrade in the drill line, in my opinion, is if you start with a protective leader or have drill 1 already open. Because drill I and II are very weak, but drill IV is as good as the drill II, & III combine. Note that the drill promotions reduce collateral damage, which can be useful in some cases. However, some units are immune to first strikes, while makes drill quite useless in a few incidences.

As for offense and defense, drill is better as a defensive promotion because it multiples out with terrain and city bonuses, though it is useful in attacking as well.

 

[Matthew5117]

^To add (good explanation btw):

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=7720659#post7720659

 

[MadmanAtW]

Basically the way it implements the "free rounds" from first strike is if it is a "first strike" round and you would have taken damage, the damage is reduced to zero.

Take a look at the Drill IV vs Combat IV arguments/threads to get a way more in depth than you probably want look at what First Strike gets you. In short, the main thing I love about it is if you are attacking an enemy who is weaker than you are, you stand a much greater chance of finishing the fight unharmed than you would otherwise. I'm currently playing a MP game on my other computer and I just attacked a city with 6 Drill IV Infantry and none of them took a single hit. (I'm Ethiopia, if you're wondering why the heck I have Drill IV infantry.) Now, they probably would have had slightly better odds had then had Combat IV, but I would have to wait longer before the next fight.

 

[Sian]

Drill IMO works better for clean up crew than Combat (due to higher chance of no damage to the unit at all) after a couple of siege engines have said hello to the enemies

 

[Laurwin]

first strike gets better and better with more drill promotions, it gives also some resistance to collateral dmg which is nice.