Digger (Civ6)

Digger
Melee unit of the Modern Era
Introduced in Australia Civilization & Scenario Pack (Civ6)
Unique to	Australian
Unique to	Australian
Replaces	Infantry
Replaces	Infantry
Unlocked by	Replaceable Parts
Cost
Production	430
Production	430
Gold	1720
Gold	1720
Maint.	6
Maint.	6
Stats
Movement	2
Movement	2
Melee	72
Melee	72
Sight	2
Sight	2
Notes
Australian unique Modern era unit that replaces Infantry. +10 Combat Strength when fighting on Coastal tiles. +5 Combat Strength when fighting on Neutral or Foreign Territory.

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The Digger is a unique melee unit of the Australian civilization in Civilization VI. It replaces the Infantry.

• Attributes:
  • Higher Combat Strength (72 vs. 70).
  • +10 Combat Strength on coastal tiles.
  • +5 Combat Strength outside Australian territory.
  • +10 Combat Strength vs. anti-cavalry units.
  • No strategic resource requirement.

Strategy

The Digger is a great replacement for the Infantry, with bonuses that allow the Australians to take a more active role in global conflicts in the Modern Era and beyond. With +15 Combat Strength on a coastal tile outside its home territory, the Digger can reinforce Australia's naval forces as they attack enemy cities located along or near the coast, or even spearhead assaults on its own. It also provides the Australians with a strong defense against enemies who try to launch land-based assaults against their cities, which will often be located on coastal tiles to take advantage of the Housing Housing bonus.

When facing Diggers, the best option is to outrange them or intercept them on the ocean. Diggers are tough on offense, but can easily fall prey to well-placed Machine Guns or bomber strikes. Just remember to keep them away from your AT Crews!

Civilopedia entry

At the onset of World War I, the British Army's need for soldiers led to the creation of the Australian Imperial Force. For bureaucratic ease, these troops were combined into a corps alongside soldiers from New Zealand. The newly formed corps underwent a baptism of enemy fire at the Battle of Gallipoli, which began with the (then) largest amphibious landing in the modern era. Called "Diggers" for their rapid entrenchment—or by their British comrades who thought all Australians worked in mines—they distinguished themselves until the war's armistice, gaining a courageous and genial reputation despite many hardships. Dissolved after the war's end, the Diggers have been re-formed when Australian and New Zealand troops fight together in larger-scale conflicts (such as World War II and Vietnam).

Trivia

• The Digger's unique rifle model is based on the British Lee-Enfield series of bolt-action rifles, which were commonly used by the British Empire and its Commonwealth during the World Wars.
  • Oddly, some Diggers appear armed with the rifle used by the regular Infantry unit, which in turn is based on the American M1A1 Carbine.

Gallery

Digger concept art

Digger in game