Triplane (Civ5)

Triplane
Introduced in Gods & Kings. Fighter unit of the Modern era.
Production cost	325
Range	5
Ranged strength	35
Required
Technology	Flight
Resource	Oil
Upgrades to
Fighter
Fighter
Zero
Zero
Notes
Interception 50 Air sweep Air recon Bonus vs bombers and helicopters 150

Back to the list of units

Game Info

First flying fighter unit of the Modern Era. Requires Oil.

• Common abilities:
  • Air Recon: 6 tiles in every direction always visible.
  • Interception (50)
  • Air Sweep: Can Air Sweep to clear intercepting Units
  • Bonus vs Bomber Units/Helicopters (150)

• Actions:
  • Air Sweep: Order the unit to sweep an area for air and ground-based interceptors, clearing the way for future air strikes.
  • Rebase Mode: Order the air unit to rebase to another city or a Carrier.
  • Intercept: This air unit order will tell the craft to attempt interception with any incoming air attacks.

Strategy

The Triplane is the first fighter unit available. It is much faster and lighter than the Great War Bomber, and armed with a deadly machine gun that is most useful against other airplanes. Use it to defend against enemy aircraft (via the Interception mode), and to clear the way for bombing runs (via the Air Sweep action). The Triplane is also capable of delivering some damage to other enemy ground or naval units, although it's not as effective as a bomber.

You can also use Triplanes to scout enemy positions by placing them in strategic bases near enemy territory (or bringing Carriers with Triplanes close to it). All fighter-type units automatically make a reconnaissance sweep of the area around their bases each turn (with their Air Recon ability), revealing it to you.

Triplanes' promotions are aimed at improving the basic defensive qualities of the units. You can choose to develop either their interception abilities, or their Air Sweep effectiveness (via the Dogfighting promotion).

Of course, Triplanes are not uber-units - just like everything else in the game, they have a counter. They're extremely vulnerable to anti-aircraft weapons, such as the Anti-Aircraft Gun. Be very wary of those when using aircraft! See the rules on air combat for more information.

Civilopedia entry

Deriving its name from the unique three-tiered wing system utilized in its design, the triplane was used with varying degrees of success during World War I. The most famous triplane of the war, the Fokker Dr.I, was used extensively by the German air force, gaining particular notoriety as the legendary Red Baron's craft of choice. Although engineers developed many variations on the triplane design, advancements in the traditional biplane rendered the triplane obsolete within a decade of its introduction.