Defense against guided missiles

[patriot72]

Is there any defense against guided missiles ? My planes scramble but never actually prevent a guided missile attack and neither do AA units. The computer players launch a ton of them at me and destroy everything I have to attack with before I can do anything.

[thebigbenman]

as far as i know, the defense is expense, they are one-shot weapons that cost enough hammers to make them used sparingly... ideally anyway

[patriot72]

Unfortunately the AI can spend money all the money they like so there is no defense for the guided missiles. Ugh, I think they need to change something. Give AA units and planes a certain percent chance to shoot them down.

[Zenicetus]

Unfortunately the AI can spend money all the money they like so there is no defense for the guided missiles. Ugh, I think they need to change something. Give AA units and planes a certain percent chance to shoot them down.

That wouldn't be realistic (assuming we want the game to be even remotely realistic). It's impossible to shoot down real-world guided missiles (ICBMS) with current technology. Probably in a few years, but not now.

As in the real world, the only "defense" is more guided missiles of your own for payback, or hurting the enemy's economy in other ways, so they can't keep pumping them out.

[ERice2nd]

That wouldn't be realistic (assuming we want the game to be even remotely realistic). It's impossible to shoot down real-world guided missiles (ICBMS) with current technology. Probably in a few years, but not now.

As in the real world, the only "defense" is more guided missiles of your own for payback, or hurting the enemy's economy in other ways, so they can't keep pumping them out.

Apparently you have not heard of the Patriot Missile System, also known as the Anti-Missile Missile. The USA has been using it since the 1970s. They may not be the most accurate system, but it is used and it does work (sometimes). Its really not much different then an Anti-Aircraft system, just need a more complex guidance system.

[Zenicetus]

Apparently you have not heard of the Patriot Missile System, also known as the Anti-Missile Missile. The USA has been using it since the 1970s. They may not be the most accurate system, but it is used and it does work (sometimes). Its really not much different then an Anti-Aircraft system, just need a more complex guidance system.

Patriot works against low-tech missiles, but they're not much good (AFAIK) against a cruise missile flying NOE. There are specialized naval anti-missile systems that can do it (sometimes).

I guess my main point would be that the only dedicated AA unit the game gives you is AA artillery in the Industrial era. In the Modern era where guided missiles show up, there is no dedicated anti-missile unit to counter them. No Patriots, no AEGIS or Phalanx for close-in defense. No SDI vs. nukes. It's a stretch to think that WWII-era AA artillery will deal with guided missiles.

Maybe it's an argument to get some kind of new dedicated anti-missile defense unit added to the game, but I do think it accurately reflects (more or less) the huge gap between attack and defense that guided missiles represent in modern warfare. They're a game-changer, and once they start flying, the war is tilted towards whoever has the most of 'em.

[The Rockman]

Patriot works against low-tech missiles, but they're not much good (AFAIK) against a cruise missile flying NOE. There are specialized naval anti-missile systems that can do it (sometimes).

I guess my main point would be that the only dedicated AA unit the game gives you is AA artillery in the Industrial era. In the Modern era where guided missiles show up, there is no dedicated anti-missile unit to counter them. No Patriots, no AEGIS or Phalanx for close-in defense. No SDI vs. nukes. It's a stretch to think that WWII-era AA artillery will deal with guided missiles.

Maybe it's an argument to get some kind of new dedicated anti-missile defense unit added to the game, but I do think it accurately reflects (more or less) the huge gap between attack and defense that guided missiles represent in modern warfare. They're a game-changer, and once they start flying, the war is tilted towards whoever has the most of 'em.

There is the Mobile SAM or "Surface to Air Missile" launcher a modern AA defence unit, the Patriot is the modern Mobile SAM missile launcher.