What can be done to help the paratroopers?

[meltone1]

Although I do appreciate the addition of the normal paratrooper, the helicopter space increased to 3, and the increased range of the modern para, I still feel like the use for the paratroop's are severely limited. I mean, call me crazy, but a 4.9 unit in the industrial age and a 6.11 unit in the modern age just doesn't quite do the job. Not to mention a hefty price of 120 for the modern paratrooper, and perhaps a bit more reasonable, but overpriced, 90 shields for the normal one. If these were meant to be a purely defensive unit, I would understand, (maybe) but they are even checked in the editor as dual purpose, as I think that's the way they should be, but their lack of attack strength just doesn't allow them to be a factor. What do you guys think would be a reasonable way to make these units a more viable option to use? Obviously, stat increases wouldn't hurt them, but I think more can be done. I seem to be fresh out of ideas for this one..

 

[Black Waltz]

They're niche units. They're fine as they are.

 

[RedAlert]

I think the paratroopers should have more beefed up offensive and defensive points. I hate it when I drop a whole group of them behind enemy lines, their turn is over, and the AI completely overrun them. What's more, if I take the ones that survive to attack a city, they just can't take it! They're too weak!

 

[Black Waltz]

Maybe because they're not meant to take cities? *rolls eyes*

 

[RedAlert]

What the heck are they supposed to do then? They are a military unit, no?

 

[DBear]

You could use them to drop behind enemy lines and cut communications.

The modern era is boring anyway. I rarely have enough interest to continue that long.

 

[Adam7Eight]

Paratroopers are useless until they can be used to mount an offensive after being dropped behind enemy lines without "losing" a turn. I never build these units, and never will, as long as they can't be used like they should.

 

[RedAlert]

Yes, DBear, you are right. However, if they are not able to capture a city to heal and better protect themselves (before the AI wipes out the rest of them. Really useful units for cutting enemy communications would be ones that can move faster), then, as low said, they are usless.

edit: 100th POST! Woohoo!

 

[Qarus]

The two uses they need are move after drop and/or attack action on drop. Dropping should be considered an attack onto the square there landing on.

 

[RedAlert]

Now That I could go with.

 

[meltone1]

I can hardly see how they could be fine as they are. What really confuses me is that the developers thought these were actually feasible units in their current state. I like the "aerial assault" idea.. similar to the amphibious assault concept.

 

[lbhhh]

I liked the paratroopers in Civ2, they were really useful, as they could land and take a city the same turn.

 

[Outlaw_Rudy]

An extra movement point would be nice. Then you could actually do something with them ( destroy radio towers, cut off resources, destroy roads, etc.) instead of dropping them, watching them die, and hoping for a few to live.

If there was some way to program them to have a 'temporary' movement point when you drop them( for example, make paradrops cost no movement points or attack points; not sure if a drop removes both), I think that'd work well too.

 

[Justus II]

Also, if they had the ability for a free pillage, like the new armies, I think that would help, and enable them to cut communications/sabotage then move to better terrain or vice versa.

 

[Dogzilla]

I beefed up paratroopers and modern paratroopers in my mod, but I also made them more expensive.
Paratroopers are elite troops, it's hard to imagine them as "weak" units; but because of all of the extra costs and equipment associated with deploying them (aircraft, etc) they should be expensive.
With the original stats, I can't figure out a way to make them useful.

 

[Longasc]

I think they are not too useful as they are right now.

They have their strategic niches, sure. But I think it is a problem of Civ in general: It emphasizes large armies, turns spanning years, not the quick "take and hold, cut communications etc." style of paratrooper combat.

I think Marines have their uses, but rarely use them, too. Modern Combat is somewhat boring in general.


One thing that should be discussed is whether they should be able to deploy and attack on the same turn.

I think they are specialized troops, they have their use, I just usually do not need them...

 

[warpstorm]

Free pillage after drop would make them fit their niche better.

 

[pax]

It would also be great if they could take empty cities/fortifications. I want to be able to send my fleet of bombers through a city, level the fortifications, wipe out the defenses and then drop paratroopers in to take the city.

Pillage after drop, or even move after drop would be huge. And paratroopers should be able to take noncombat (settler, worker, scout) units on landing. Actually, they should also be able to take unguarded artillery on landing.

 

[Commander Bello]

What would happen, if all land units would have a movement rate of 2 and even plains would have movement costs of 2, as well?
As far as I see it, this would allow the paratrooper to be landed AND to pillage on the same tile, wouldn't it?

Any comments?

 

[Justus II]

But then all units would be considered "fast" units with retreat ability, as that is based on movement >1, IIRC.