Helicopter being shot down??

sabo10 · October 1, 2003, 14:04

On my last game I could have sworn that my transport helicopter got shot down by a fighter, then someone told me this isn't possible. I have the latest patch, could this be something that has been fixed recently?

Jaybe · October 1, 2003, 15:28

Quote:

... then someone told me this isn't possible.

Just because it never happened to HIM ...

Honestly, I don't remember if it's happened to me. People that are not in the habit of using helicopters shouldn't give authoritative advice about them, and since most people think helicopters in the game are lame ....

sabo10 · October 1, 2003, 16:26

Yeah I was using it to transport a marine to cut AI's only oil, has anyone else ever seen a 'copter shot down?

G'Kar · October 1, 2003, 17:39

I've never seen it, but if it's possible I think that's cool. I have given my helos a weak bombard capability in the editor so I'm quite sure they can be shot down with that mod.

Verto · October 1, 2003, 18:58

Never had it happen to me, but I'd assumed it was possible.

Ecthy · October 2, 2003, 04:47

It has never happened to me. But then I never built a helicopter

Honestly, why would anyone build one?

sabo10 · October 2, 2003, 06:11

Quote:

Originally posted by Ecthelion

Honestly, why would anyone build one?

Probably for the same reason I said above.

Ecthy · October 2, 2003, 06:25

OK, but there are many better ways.. I prefer shipping units, that way you can get more units transported at once.

georges bonbon · October 2, 2003, 10:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Ecthelion
It has never happened to me. But then I never built a helicopter

Honestly, why would anyone build one?

A very short but correct analysis.

Rasputin · October 2, 2003, 10:43

Quote:

Originally posted by Ecthelion
OK, but there are many better ways.. I prefer shipping units, that way you can get more units transported at once.

but that only gets you to the shore line helis will transport past the coast to where you want to go... not that ui ever use them , i usually just storm through the frontline in a bloodbath of lost lives

Tattila the Hun · October 2, 2003, 11:00

My chinese helicopter, not long ago, shot down an interceptor, and attained elite status at it... Must be rare, should have a save around...

Why build helos? Why build only MA's? A carefully orchestrated assault on enemy key positions, which in one turn cripless numerically and technologically superior enemy, is quite satisfying. And they're great in resuplying cities far away. Think about it, instead of making your elite/vet infantry to vet MI, build helos and take them directly into fire. Naturally, if you mod them to carry 2 units instead of one, they're usefullness rises exponentially.

Of course, you can build n+ MA and wipe them out, but where's the fun in that?

vmxa1 · October 2, 2003, 12:23

What they have Helos in the game? Sorry could not resist. They were great in Civ2, but I don't use them in CivIII either.

Cookie Monster · October 2, 2003, 13:49

I have had helicopters shot down.

In one game I was playing I was using an airlift train of 2 helicopters which were constantly dropping Para's behind enemy lines. Eventually much to my dismay they shot down one of my helicopters.

Helicopters should definately be vulnerable to enemy air and I'm glad it is a feature in the game.

Rasputin · October 3, 2003, 09:48

i much preferrred tha tattack helicopter so f civ2... would be good to see them back so i can fire upon those damn pesky AI troops out in the open.

Gramphos · October 3, 2003, 10:03

I've had my helicopters shot down, and I think actually once my helecopter have shot down an enemy.

Jaybe · October 3, 2003, 14:14

It is SO satisfying when a helicopter or bomber shoots down an intercepting jet fighter!

Solomwi · October 3, 2003, 19:21

I think it's happened to me, but won't swear to it. I'm pretty sure it can, though, otherwise why would a helo need hitpoints?

Helicopters have their uses, however limited (obviously, one being airdropping units onto resources), and I've expounded on them before, but I'll recount my favorite helo story.

I was fighting India and had a stack of MA's pushed inside their borders a turn to get to Hyderabad, which had some resource I was eager to deny Gandhi. They took the city, but with far heavier casualties than I had anticipated (only one full health unit with enough move points to get into the city), and India's borders closed completely around the city, thick enough that getting more MA's in to defend was impossible. Load up an Air Cav division (8 helos) with an Infantry division, rebase them all in Hyderabad and presto, 8 Infantry unload and fortify, assuring that I'll be able to hold the city.

I've also used them to drop Infantry deep into enemy territory and create a "sacrificial front", with no purpose other than to fortify (on a hill or mtn if possible) and soak up enemy attackers, keeping them away from the front line while my main force gobbles up city after city. Paratroops are good for this, too.

Bottom line is that I can live without them, and in a tight tech race, they don't make researching AF that appealing, but I do like to keep 2-3 divisions of them on hand when I can. For the numbers perspective, I always play on huge maps, so 16-24 gold for maintenance isn't as big a deal as it might be on smaller maps.

For the future: I would like to see a separate attack helicopter unit, incapable of transport, but working somewhat along the lines of the civ 2 helo.

Ecthy · October 4, 2003, 05:34

Jaybe

Cookie Monster · October 4, 2003, 08:41

Quote:

Originally posted by Solomwi
Bottom line is that I can live without them, and in a tight tech race, they don't make researching AF that appealing..........

For the future: I would like to see a separate attack helicopter unit, incapable of transport, but working somewhat along the lines of the civ 2 helo.

I totally agree with you

In a tight tech race you can't afford to waste time researching a tech that the game designers just threw in the game for fun. Bring back the Civ2 helo!

Ecthy · October 4, 2003, 08:47

True dat, I miss maybe not the sound

, but certainly the idea of a battle heli

Rasputin · October 10, 2003, 17:55

actually been experimenting in my latest game, built three helicopters to see if they any use. But by the time i built them i no longer had infantrry left to carry, had upgraded all to mech inf.

i built some paratroopers just for fun too and found both were basically useless, not enoguh attack and certainly not enough defence.

notyoueither · October 10, 2003, 21:55

Helos and Marines make a good island hopping force.

Helos and Infantry make a good resourse denial force.

While not being used as transports, Helos can do recon on 'quiet' fronts to give advanced warning of enemies coming.

Every unit has a use, it depends on the style of play and the imagination of the player.

PrinceBimz · October 11, 2003, 21:59

Quote:

Originally posted by notyoueither
Helos and Marines make a good island hopping force.

Helos and Infantry make a good resourse denial force.

While not being used as transports, Helos can do recon on 'quiet' fronts to give advanced warning of enemies coming.

Every unit has a use, it depends on the style of play and the imagination of the player.

Well said

Cookie Monster · October 13, 2003, 07:50

Quote:

Originally posted by notyoueither
Helos and Marines make a good island hopping force.

Helos and Infantry make a good resourse denial force.

While not being used as transports, Helos can do recon on 'quiet' fronts to give advanced warning of enemies coming.

Every unit has a use, it depends on the style of play and the imagination of the player.

Definately agree with you there. More often than not I'm usually way behind the tech race and unfortunately have to ignore these techs on the research tree.