On the Utility and Use of Paratroopers

[Solomwi]

Exactly. If they want to hamper the use somewhat, introduce a CB (construction brigade) unit, which would enable airdrops in cities without airports, to simulate hasty airstrip construction. Sure, it kind of infringes on worker-built airstrips, but dammit, airstrips don't work anyway for paratroopers, which is just silly.

[Odin]

My favorite use of paras is when I want to deny my opponents the resources for his/her spaceship. No uranium and aluminium for you.

[Solomwi]

Wow, now that this thread is revived, I have to correct myself on one thing. Airstrips do enable airdrops (don't know if this changed in 1.22 or there was some other factor keeping it from being possible when I tested). That obviously helps with the issue of invasion preparation, as all that is really needed is a spare worker to plop down an airstrip in the most opportune spot. Airstrips don't even need to be defended unless you have aircraft on them, since they remain if enemy troops move onto them.

[MattPilot]

you could always launch paratroopers from airstrips ...

Anyhow, you need to remember that you need a full turn to make an airdrop. Maybe in your tests you moved them ?

[Mad Bomber]

Originally posted by Solomwi
Wow, now that this thread is revived, I have to correct myself on one thing. Airstrips do enable airdrops (don't know if this changed in 1.22 or there was some other factor keeping it from being possible when I tested). That obviously helps with the issue of invasion preparation, as all that is really needed is a spare worker to plop down an airstrip in the most opportune spot. Airstrips don't even need to be defended unless you have aircraft on them, since they remain if enemy troops move onto them.

Undefended airstrips are lost if they are in another civilizations cultural borders. You have control of the airstrip as long as its defended, but if an airstip is in foreign lands is left unguarded (even for a second) it WILL be lost.

[Solomwi]

You're right, I should have specified airstrips in your own territory. MattPilot, I don't think so, but it's been entirely too long since I did the test to know for sure.

[gunkulator]

Proper use of Paratroopers:

1) Move into a city
2) Disband to help build a Tank