lisening posts, radar and other detection methods

[james 22]

I am relatively new to ctp, but I am in the modern age and I want to know about listening posts, radar and any other detection methods to put on my map to keep the enemy out. Any advice please.
james

[jlc9539]

Listening posts push back the fog of war 10 tiles. Radar stations help detect aircraft from a distance (check the library for exact details). And the sonar helps to pick up submarines and gives limited sight (two tiles I think). Though all of these help maintain surveillance on and around your territory, none of them actually help to keep out enemy units.

I like using them because I don't like surprises and I don't want to find enemy units taking over my cities before I know what's happening.

I word of caution, just like other tile improvements, listening posts, etc., are taken over when cities are captured. So keep this in mind when placing these improvements.

[SoulFisher]

Radar stations have the functionality of showing all enemy units, within 25 tiles, on the small radar map. This includes stealthy units -- or, at least, Undersea Crawlers, anyway.

Sonar Buoys have a vision range (pushing back the Fog of War) of 1 space. It's small, but hey, they're cheap!

[TheBirdMan]

MHO: The radar is useless on huge maps. Then it's too difficult to spot enemy units on the small radar map.

[jlc9539]

Thanks for the corrections. I was guessing from memory not having the actual numbers in front of me.

[SoulFisher]

No problem.

BTW, Listening posts only see 8 spaces.

Also, for what it's worth, Radar stations see 1 space (and still detect units upto 25 spaces away on the radar map - even if you can't find a unit's exact location, knowing what area it is in lets you know, "maybe I should get some troops over there, while my Plasma Destroyers look for it." )

[The Humble One]

What about Diplomats and Spies?

These guys are cheap to maintain, and the spies are somewhat stealthy. Place them in unlikely transport routes (mountains, swamps, etc. - especially next to a road or railroad) and spread them over small groups (if one is ejected, you have others to take his place). They move faster than many other foot soldiers, and if a war-party takes time to attack your solitary unit, they're losing a movement advantage to other units that you may have in the vicinity.

Remember, they're all barbarians at heart!

[jlc9539]

I've found spies to be very useful in wartime situations. It has happened to me more than once that I've been pulled into a war with a civ I don't know much about (i.e. cities, locations, technologies, etc.). I've found that spies make excellent scouts. Not just for spying, but as a kind of ground-moving "spy plane". Spies have great speed, are stealthy, and have a large range of vision.



Not to mention that they're helpful to check out what units are in an enemy city so that your stack doesn't get slaughtered.

[jpww]

How about placing your spies on your opponents' tile improvements (radar stations, listening posts, mines and so on)

[jlc9539]

Originally posted by jpww
How about placing your spies on your opponents' tile improvements (radar stations, listening posts, mines and so on)

What does that do? I've never tried it.