Merging Air Units

[Fuzzy Catmoth GF]

So I've been merging units and tbh I find the feature to be really nice; yes, it prolongs fights because one unit does less than two; but it also makes them tankier.

I've been looking left right, up and down on how to merge air units specifically, I've had no trouble doing it with any other type of unit (land, naval)... but for some reason I just can't make air units form into a corps. or army. Is that intentional or am I missing somethnig (note, I do have both the civics required to normally merge units).

[zxcvbob]

It's an interesting concept! (what would they be, squadron and whatelse?) I'm pretty sure you can't combine airplanes, just helicopters. (I haven't played '6 in a couple of months, there are helicopters, aren't there? highly-advanced light cavalry?)

[Fuzzy Catmoth GF]

Yeah you're right, helicopters can because for some reason they are cavalry and not considered air lol

but yeah, I figured but wanted to check, thank you.

[aleman12]

Well in the game helicopters are not "air" uniits because they are upgraded tank destroyer units that are "moved" like any military ground units. I agree with U guys combined air units should be combineable and stronger. maybe it is jutst me but cities tend to get very strong very fast .

[Fuzzy Catmoth GF]

I know that they're a continuation of tanks and that's why they aren't air, but it kinda makes me curious why they went with helicopter; and at that the helicopter has to follow the rules of the land lmao

Maybe there is a workshop thing, being able to make air units combine for a Squadron and then a Legion/Battalion?

[hopsblues]

The helicopter thing follows in the military lead here. Calvary, aka horses became tanks. Tank units are called calvary.

[cerberusiv]

Two issues about helicopter units that apply in real life and are quite accurately reflected in the game as it is.

Compared to a B52 or even a jet fighter which can refuel air to air helicopters have relatively short range. So it is reasonable that they have to move by ship to cross oceans rather than rebase like an air unit.

Helicopter units tend to be integrated into army operations with other land units. So it is more appropriate that they are treated as land units.

As for combining air units I would guess that the biggest reason it isn't in the game is that combining 2 or 3 air units would make handling how many you could base on a carrier or an aerodrome rather complicated.

[Exemplar]

Not just trying to argue because I don't have a stake in this, but helicopters are very important for sea warfare, especially sub defense. Of course all carriers have helicopters, but also destroyers. I imagine in the bigger picture, it's "counted in" the naval unit, but to the point, carriers for example should really have an anti-sub attack of some kind, with 3 or 5 or 20 (depending on nation and ship class) helicopters flying around with torpedos they can drop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yudJ-3eU22s

[cerberusiv]

Originally posted by Exemplar:

Not just trying to argue because I don't have a stake in this, but helicopters are very important for sea warfare, especially sub defense. Of course all carriers have helicopters, but also destroyers. I imagine in the bigger picture, it's "counted in" the naval unit, but to the point, carriers for example should really have an anti-sub attack of some kind, with 3 or 5 or 20 (depending on nation and ship class) helicopters flying around with torpedos they can drop.

Absolutely correct. In game carriers can melee attack submarines (not that a single carrier trying to take on an armada of nuclear subs will last long).

I was envisaging the helicopter unit in game as a larger unit of attack helicopters operating in numbers against other land units..

[Exemplar]

Originally posted by cerberusiv:

Absolutely correct. In game carriers can melee attack submarines (not that a single carrier trying to take on an armada of nuclear subs will last long).

Can they? Never tried. Opponent subs don't get closer than the escort units to my carriers. I was saying they "should" because I really thought carriers get no attack, only defense value like civ 5 carriers.

well, hmm, just looked at the wiki and civ 6 carriers can indeed melee attack. still not sure I'd do it, though.

[Exemplar]

I wonder how hard it would be to allow 1 helicopter to land on a carrier or a destroyer and it nets an extra attack like a melee unit fighting from a city, but can't end its turn over water. Or a helicopter carrier with 1 slot for vtol fighter or bomber and 2 slots for helicopter.

[ahird78]

Originally posted by zxcvbob:

It's an interesting concept! (what would they be, squadron and whatelse?) I'm pretty sure you can't combine airplanes, just helicopters. (I haven't played '6 in a couple of months, there are helicopters, aren't there? highly-advanced light cavalry?)

Was just looking to see about joining air units (dont really see why not), as I've only just started playing Civ 6, and saw your comment, and if noone else has answered it, I'd suggest that were you permitted to combine air units, 2 would be a "squadron", and 3 would be a "wing"..

Just my 2 cents lol