What is the difference between a thermo nuke and a nuke in Civ 6?
In Civilization 6, nuclear weapons are a crucial aspect of a player’s military strategy. However, not all nuclear weapons are created equal. In this article, we’ll delve into the differences between a thermonuclear device (thermo nuke) and a standard nuclear weapon (nuke) in Civ 6.
Basic Characteristics
Both thermonuclear devices and nuclear weapons are devastating attacks that can decimate enemy cities and armies. However, they differ in their destructive power, range, and production requirements.
Destructive Power
Nuke: Nuclear weapons have a blast radius of 1 tile, causing massive damage to units and buildings within the affected area. Their explosive power is significant, but they can be intercepted by mobile anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMs) if launched by air.
Thermonuclear Device: Thermonuclear devices, on the other hand, have a blast radius of 2 tiles, dealing increased damage to units and buildings. They are more powerful than standard nuclear weapons and have a higher yield, making them more effective at wiping out entire armies or cities.
Range
Nuke: Nuclear weapons have a range of 12 tiles, which means they can strike targets 12 tiles away from the launch location.
Thermonuclear Device: Thermonuclear devices have a range of 15 tiles, allowing them to strike targets 15 tiles away from the launch location.
Production Requirements
Nuke: Nuclear weapons require 14 gold per turn to maintain, which can be a significant drain on a player’s economy.
Thermonuclear Device: Thermonuclear devices require 16 gold per turn to maintain, making them more expensive to maintain than standard nuclear weapons.
Delivering the Punch
Nuclear weapons can be delivered by various means, including:
• Airplanes: Can launch nuclear weapons against ground targets.
• Submarines: Can launch nuclear weapons against sea or coastal targets.
• Missile Silos: Can launch nuclear weapons against ground targets.
Thermonuclear devices, on the other hand, are primarily delivered by
• Missile Silos: The most common means of delivering thermonuclear devices, as they have the necessary range and payload capacity.
• Nuclear Submarines: Can also deliver thermonuclear devices against sea or coastal targets.
Intercepting the Threat
While nuclear weapons can be intercepted by mobile SAMs, thermonuclear devices are more resistant to interception due to their increased range and power.
In-Game Strategy
When deciding between a nuke and a thermonuclear device, consider the following:
• Range: If you need to strike a target 12-13 tiles away, a standard nuclear weapon may be sufficient. If you need to strike a target 14-15 tiles away, a thermonuclear device may be the better choice.
• Destructive Power: If you want to deal increased damage to enemy units and buildings, a thermonuclear device may be the better option.
• Production Requirements: If you’re short on gold or want to conserve resources, a standard nuclear weapon may be the more economical choice.
In conclusion, thermonuclear devices are more powerful and have a longer range than standard nuclear weapons. However, they require more gold to maintain and are primarily delivered by missile silos and nuclear submarines. When deciding between the two, consider the target range, destructive power, and production requirements.