Intercepting

[samurai]

Defending your own "zone of control" seems to be a valid issue in CIV III. To do so there has be a new way of fighting air combats. In CIV I & II it was more a question of defending your own cities, so you could have your fighters inside your city to defend yourself.
The fighters must have the ability to be over your whole ZOC.

Thats why fighters should have the capability to intercept incoming bombers. This should definatly be an option. Once an enemy bomber,helicopter or fighter is discovered over your territory, you should be able to send out your fighters. Also should SAMs be able to fire two tile ranged missiles against hostile air units to defend your own ZOC.

Doesnt seem right that you have to wait until the bombs have fallen before you can do something.
"Hey, look, there is an enemy bomber, Lets have a cop of tea and then shoot them down"

This is a way stealth bombers can get the advanse of not beeing seen until they are close up on the defender.

ANy ideas?

[Adm.Naismith]

SMAC already used the concept of Scramble planes. When they are in a base (city) they takeoff any time an enemy unit try to attack your units inside city area (classic 21 squares).

I suppose you should have the same effect putting planes on alert inside airfields builded outside cities, for a similare range (I know planes have longer range, but they have limits to timely intercept any incoming enemy.

I'm not sure about any CAP mission (your planes are in flight, ready to react), because common planes rules in Civ don't manage well planes mid air, and I'm not sure putting too many tactic commands at work don't become a bore.

Civ 3 is not a wargame, IMO, so steer clear from that mermaids!