13-11-2001 08:59									#1
	Helicoptors and Paratroopers: AWFUL! Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

Ok, well, I decided that it was time for the French to go.

They had supplies of silk and furs that they were holding over my head for long enough, so I decided the best move was to take them and also knock the second most powerful civilization in the world down a few notches. I put four aircraft carriers, six battleships, two destroyers, and two transports filled with mech infantry and tanks near Paris.

It was at that time that I finally discovered Advanced Flight and so I decided to build myself a Helicoptor. Actually two. Well, I did. Then I put an infantry on them and decided to move them down to an island close to another French island. Then I tried to see what the range of the Helicoptor was. That damned island was PRETTY close, yet the Helicoptor was about three spaces out of range to even touch the closest tip. Ok, Fine.

My next thought was: I'll put it on an Aircraft Carrier and move it into range. No go. At this time, I was wondering just what these blasted Helicoptors were used for! Then I decided to build a Paratrooper. Same problem! Well, I finally found a use for them when I decided to invade a Persian city, which was only a few spaces away from one of my cities where my base of operations was. It was useful because any other invader ground units would have had to use the unimproved movement rate... but still, the city was RIGHT THERE!

If the range was supposed to be so poor, they should have been left out. Either that or they should be allowed on Aircraft Carriers or should be allowed to fly to other spaces and then act in a limited range.

While I'm ranting I would like to comment on Cruise Missile. WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THEM! They can't be loaded onto transports, carriers, submarines or any sort of transport unit and they have a range that is ridiculous for a cruise missile. (2 spaces?? ) They were great in Civ 2. Now they stink! The only thing I found them useful for was blowing up my own territory! Good grief...

If your playing on a Pangea continent, these units might be useful. I, unfortunately, was playing on an island map.

So don't use Helicoptors, Paratroopers, or Cruise Missiles.

Opinions?

	13-11-2001 09:29									#2
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

I agree with what you've said. My suggestion for a rules change would be:

1. Allow paratroopers to operate out of cities without airports (too darn expensive to build, and they don't really need a heavily prepared strip, a rough piece of ground is nearly good enough)

2. Double the range for both units. Paratroopers by themselves have relatively balanced ADM's, and the movement really restricts their ability to be over-used. (I would justify this by saying that the paratroopers and helicopters could take off from just about anywhere in friendly territory.

As they are currently, I build one helicopter and one paratrooper in each game, just in case I might need them (only one marine too so far lol) I'd love to see more effective paratroopers, as my favorite tactic in Civ3 is to isolate the battlefield before an offensive.

Jbird

	13-11-2001 19:44									#3
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

I would like to see paratroopers loaded onto Bombers and have the range of the bombers. Hopefully air superiority will be fixed by then (I would really like to be able to escort my bombers! although it is kinda nice when one of my bombers takes down an enemy fighter)

I agree that cruise missiles need to be loaded on subs. Although Ifound them useful, I never know if they actually destroyed the unit that I aimed them at, a message "unit destroyed" would be nice. Also, when I destroy a transport I want to see the "6 units destroyed" I have grown accustom to from previous civ games.

The pre-patch halps make paratroopers and cruise missiles more useful by increasing the operational range. I suggest you download it before we get the official patch from Firaxis