20080730.144615
i added amazon context links... just because i can... if they're not too obtrusive... i'll leave them
20080114.231544
enabled mod_deflate on andromeda. the site is now seeing an estimated 80% reduction in overall size for clients to download
20080109.022443
added an rss 2.0 feed for the news at http://www.subnova.com/news/rss/. it will show the 14 most recent posts
20070823.031056
updated cq calculations so that if a member doesn't login to the website in the past 77 days, the contribution points start vanishing in a hurry... tanking the irank
20070823.024814
removed the referral ads from the bottom of the main content area
The Chinese take the place of the Russians in Generals, but offer a unique and refreshing take on the typical communist army found in C&C games. Focusing on powerful vehicles and strength in numbers, the Chinese are the best at muscling their way to victory. The Chinese have more conventional weapons than the other sides, but this can prove to be more powerful and practical in some cases. Limited infantry and air force are the weaknesses of the Chinese, but their powerful defenses will prove to be more than effective against most attacks. The Chinese also have the worst Recon out of the 3 sides, and their radar must be purchased at the Command Center before it can be activated.
Workers Construction Dozer-$1000
Builds and repairs your structures. Very fragile, and has no means of defense, other than running over infantry. While its a good idea to keep some around your defensive structures to help repair them, keep in mind that many blasts directed at your defenses will also injure your Dozer, quickly killing it.
Supply Truck-$600
Resource Gatherer for the Chinese. Picks up $300 resources per trip. Very fragile, so make sure you keep these away from the enemy. Just a few of these per resource depot is all thats needed, dont go overboard with them.
Infantry
Chinese Infantry has limited attack power, but gain strength in numbers. Chinese Infantry is more capable of delivering indirect harm to the enemy than US or GLA infantry, and gain extra usefulness by being put in bunkers.
Red Guard-$300
Strong vs: Infantry, Unguarded Buildings
Weak vs: Light Vehicles, Snipers,
The Red Guard, individually, arent as strong as the US Ranger or GLA Rebel, but they gain a horde bonus when used in a group of 5 or more. Because you get two Red Guard for $300, you can quickly have more infantry than the US or GLA can handle. When in a large group, Red Guard get a "Horde Bonus" which lets them attack faster and more powerfully. Keep away from anti-infantry vehicles, as they'll fall very fast. Although they work good in bunkers or garriosonable structures, the Chinese have vehicles that are much better suited for killing infantry than the Red Guard. Red Guard can get an upgrade for it's horde bonus, along with the ability to capture enemy buildings.
Tankhunter-$300
Strong vs: Aircraft, Vehicles
Weak vs: Infantry
The Tankhunter is the rocket infantry of the Chinese army. Ontop of being highly effective against tanks and air units, they can also place TNT charges on the ground, which will explode when approached by enemy units. TNT charges are invisible. Tankhunters are best used in bunkers or garrisonable structures, but also get a horde bonus when used in groups of 5 or more. Benefits from the horde bonus upgrade.
Hacker-$625
Strong vs: Buildings
Weak vs: Everything
Hackers are little geeky guys who are armed with only a laptop. Useless against enemy units, but they do have some very useful abilities. The first is the ability to disable buildings. The Hacker will have to get close to perform this, so make sure he's protected while he does this. Disabling a building is quicker than taking it over with Red Guard, and can be done from a greater distance. The Hacker can also use the internet and steal some money through pyramid schemes, spam mail, and Nigerian prime minister sympathizers. It starts off with just $5 every few seconds, but after a while Hackers will gain rank and be able to get $8 per hack. They can quickly boost your enconomy if you have a large amount of them typing away. Because they are very weak and have no attack, your hackers must be well protected in order for you to get money out of them. It just takes one anti-infantry unit or special attack to wipe out your Hackers.
Black Lotus-$1500
Strong vs: Buildings, Vehicles
Weak vs: Detectors
Black Lotus is the hero of the Chinese army, and she's somewhat of a super 1337 Hacker. Permanately cloaked, but still unarmed, save her trusty laptop. Rather than disabling buildings, she has the ability to capture them, like a Red Guard, but from a distance and much quicker. She can also disable enemy vehicles, although this is a risky move, as it doesnt take much to kill her once she is visible. She can also steal money from enemy supply centers. Because she is invisible and has a great sight radius, the Black Lotus is the best scouter the Chinese have. Its usually worth it to make her just for this ability.
Vehicles
The real strength of the Chinese army is in it's wide variety of powerful land vehicles. Sporting the most devestating tanks in Generals, Chinese vehicles are more than capable of handling all sorts of attacks. The most powerful unit in the game, the Overlord Tank, can also be found here.
Battlemaster-$800
Strong vs: Buildings, Vehicles
Weak vs: Aircraft, Infantry
The standard heavy tank for the Chinese, the Battlemaster is similar to the US Crusader tank. Individually, not as powerful as the Crusader, but when used in numbers, the Battlemaster gets a horde bonus similar to that of the Red Guard. This quickly gives the Battlemaster an edge over enemy tanks. Keep near a Propoganda tower for increased attack and healing, and the Battlemasters will truly be the masters of... battle. Watch out for air units and rocket infantry, both are still more than capable of dominating these tanks. You can research upgrades to make it's main attack, speed, and horde bonus better.
Troop Crawler-$1400
Strong vs: Infantry, Buildings
Weak vs: Aircraft, Vehicles
The Chinese dont get a typical light assault vehicle, but they do get the Troop Crawler. The Troop Crawler is an armored personel carrier that can also detect invisible units. When built, you get 8 Red Guard for free inside the Troop Crawler, effectively saving you $1200 on infantry. This technically brings the Troop Crawler's cost to $200. Not bad. Apart from the infantry inside, the Troop Crawler has no weapon. Should a small group of these find their way into an enemy base while the defenders are preoccupied, mass destruction can occur, especially with Red Guard's ability to capture enemy structures. Also good for getting your Infantry to garrisonable structures.
Dragon Tank-$800
Strong vs: Infantry, Buildings
Weak vs: Vehicles, Aircraft
The Dragon Tank is a lightly armored tank with a load of firepower. This comes in the form of a massive flamethrower mounted to the top of the Dragon Tank. This flamethrower is equally capable of killing buildings and infantry frighteningly fast, and it will also clear out any infantry inside a garrisoned structure in just one shot. While it's attack is somewhat strong against vehicles, it isnt heavily armored, and might be killed before it can get in firing range. The Flame Tank also has the ability to make a flame wall, which will coat 90 degrees infront of the Flame Tank in a thick wall of fire until you order it to stop. Great at demolishing swarms of infantry. Becareful, napalm attacks are very messy, and can harm your own units very easily. You can also get the Black Napalm upgrade to deal 25% more damage. Keep away from air units.
Gattling Tank-$800
Strong vs: Infantry, Aircraft
Weak vs: Vehicles, Buildings.
Another great vehicle for killing infantry, the Gattling Tank is similar to the Dragon Tank, only it uses a gattling gun instead of a flamethrower. While it's attack doesnt deal splash damage, it has a much longer range and rate of fire than the Dragon Tank. Also, this tank is extremely effective at shooting down aircraft, particuarly US helicopters. Should it keep firing for a continued period of time, it's attack will speed up and become more damaging. Makes a perfect compliment to your Battlemasters or other anti-tank units, but probably wont be needed if you're going to be using Overlords. Can get an upgrade to deal 25% more damage.
Inferno Cannon-$900
Strong vs: Buildings, Infantry
Weak vs: Vehicles, Aircraft
The Inferno Cannon is similar to the Dragon Tank in that it's napalm attack is effective against buildings and infantry, but its use is different. Rather than a flamethrower, the Inferno Cannon launches a long-range artillery shell, letting it stay far away from the enemy. The attack wont do much damage initially, but it will set fire to anything near the attack, and the damage will quickly add up. The Inferno Cannon also moves very slow, so dont get it into a situation it would have to run away from. Because it lobs it's shots in the air, the Inferno Cannon has some problems hitting moving targets. Its generally a good idea to lead your shots. Becareful, napalm attacks are very messy, and can harm your own units very easily. You can also get the Black Napalm upgrade to deal 25% more damage. Keep away from air units.
Overlord Tank-$2000
Strong vs: Vehicles, Buildings
Weak vs: Aircraft, Infantry
The latest incarnation of the fan favorite Mammoth Tank, the Overlord is truly a one unit army. It's incredible armor and rediculous size is complimented well by it's dual heavy cannons, defeating buildings and other vehicles with supreme efficiency. The Overlord's usefulness doesnt stop there, as it can build a defensive structure ontop of it's tremendous turret. This means your Overlords can be fitted with a Bunker, Gattling Turret, or Propoganda Tower. The Bunker can be filled with Red Guard to deal with infantry, or Tankhunters to deal with aircraft and help take out vehicles. The Gattling Turret is more expensive, but will balance out the Overlord's two main weaknesses, infantry and aircraft, making the Overlord almost uncounterable by conventional methods. The Propaganda Tower will not only make units near your Overlord fire faster, but get healed at the same time! While these upgrades turn the Overlord into the most expensive unit in the game, it is, without a doubt, the most powerful unit. Their main weakness, besides cost, is their very, very slow speed, coupled with their gigantic size, makes nagivating somewhat annoying. They can get a speed upgrade to help balance this out, along with an upgrade to their attack damage. Overlords also can also benefit from upgrades to propoganda towers and Gattling weapons, should they build the appropriate structures.
So, you've got half-a-dozen Overlords, with Gattling Turrets and Propoganda Towers, feeling pretty unstoppable. What SHOULD you look out for? Keep in mind that your tanks are the most deadly and expensive units on the battlefield, and therefore the first to be targeted. Firstly, look out for massive air assaults. Although the Overlords can handle some aircraft, there might be some that can get through and deal serious damage to your tanks. Anti-Tank defenses, particularly garrisoned rocket infantry, will be able to harm your tanks very well. The Black Lotus and Jamel Kell hero units are both good at instantly disabling your tanks. GLA players will be looking to drive a few suicide units straight into the center of your tanks and blowing up, or sending hijackers to steal them. Its also generally a good idea to keep your tanks spread out, as General weapons and super weapons are both great at taking out your Overlords.
Nuke Cannon-$1600
Strong vs: Buildings, Infantry
Weak vs: Tanks, Aircraft
Yet another Chinese unit good at killing buildings and infantry, the Nuke Cannon is also another giant-sized, slow-moving vehicle that packs a punch. When you order it to attack, it will take a few seconds to get in place and unload it's massive cannon. Once it's deployed, it will fire an extremely long-range nuclear projectiles at it's target. While this wont be nearly as powerful as an actual Nuclear Missile, but it will still deal a tremendous amount of damage, and leave harmful radiation around it's attack zone. The Nuke Cannon is easily killed, and it's slow rate of fire and undeploying delay makes it unsuitable for attacking units in most cases. Still, if you can get the drop of some unsuspecting base defenders, go to town.
Aircraft
The Chinese only get one aircraft, but it's all-purpose and will prove to be useful. Hey, it's better than the GLA, which dont get any aircraft.
MiG-$1000
Strong vs: Buildings, Infantry, Vehicles
Weak vs: Rocket Infantry, Anti-Air Vehicles, Anti-Air Defenses, Raptors
The MiG is the only aircraft producable by the Chinese, but it's pretty good. Cheaper than anything the US has to offer, the MiG will fly to it's target and unload four missles loaded with napalm. This makes the MiG more versatile than the Raptor against land targets, but the MiG will be unable to target enemy Aircraft. the MiG is also slightly faster than the Raptor, and can get an upgrade to it's armor, something that US aircraft seriously lack. This allows the MiG to actually survive runs into dangerous territory. Can also be used for Scouting, but this might be a bit risky.
Special Structures
The Chinese have everyone's favorite superweapon, the nuke. They also have some very effective defensive structures, and will prove to be hard to take down. Chinese structures can purchase landmines to be build around it, which will cause lots of injury to any enemy unit that walks over them.
Nuclear Reactor-$1000
Supplies: 10 power
The Nuclear Reactor is more cost effective than the US Cold Fusion Reactor, but it does have it's drawbacks. When the Nuclear Reactor explodes, it will leave harmful radiation where it exploded for a short amount of time, harming anything near it. Also, while the Nuclear Reactor has the ability to "overcharge" and provide 50% extra power, it will quickly lose health while doing so. This should really only be saved for emergencies when you are under attack and you find yourself out of power.
Armored Bunker-$400
The primary defensive structure of the Chinese, the Bunker will let 5 infantry garrison inside and deliver powerful attacks on the enemy. The Bunker has a major advantage over garrisonable structures. When attacked by attacks that will typically clear out garrisoned structures instantly, such as Flashbangs or Napalm, the infantry inside will NOT be instantly killed, or even harmed. The structure renders all units inside completely immune until it is destroyed. Putting 5 Tankhunters inside will provide you with an excellent anti-tank and anti-aircraft defense, even if the total cost may be higher than most other defensive structures. However, it doesnt take any power, so build as many as you can. Can also be placed on top of Overlord Tanks
Speaker Tower-$500, 1 Power
The Speaker Tower will provide friendly units near it a bonus to rate of fire and healing rate. Useful for when defending with units, but not so much when using structures. Can also be placed on top of Overlord Tanks.
Gattling Cannon-$1200, 3 Power
Another expensive defensive structure, the Gattling Cannon will prove to be more than cost efficient against enemy aircraft and infantry. Combining Gattling Cannons with Tankhunters in Bunkers will prove to create a highly effective defense. Gattling Cannons can also benefit from the Gattling Weapons upgrade.
Nuclear Silo-$5000, 10 Power
Lets you use the Chinese's superweapon, the Nuke, as well as giving you some upgrades for your Battlemasters and Overlords. The Nuke takes ten minutes before it's read to fire, but it will be worth the wait. When activated, the Nuke will deliver awesome damage in a massive area, destroying most structures and vehicles caught in the blast. Nuclear radiation will be left behind for a short time after the attack, which is usually enough to finish off any units that may have survived the blast. Also, the explosion effect is damned cool.
General's Upgrades
The Chinese have some pretty useful special abilities here, including the ability to instantly train some units as veterans. Also, the attacks found here will prove to be extremely effective.
1 Star Rank Upgrades Red Guard Training
All Red Guards are trained as one rank veterans
Artillery Training
All Inferno and Nuke Cannons are trained as one rank veterans
Nuke Cannons
Lets you build Nuke Cannons at the War Factory
3 Star Rank Upgrades Cluster Mines
Lets you airdrop a group of mines at any location on the map every 4 minutes. Great at boobytrapping chokepoints or enemy supply routes. The plane can be shot down, but it has a lot of armor and usually makes it to it's target.
Artillery Barrage
Lets you fire a series of artillery shells at a targeted area. This can be purchased 3 times, each time increasing the amount of shells fired by 12. Even at level 1, this attack will prove to be vital in taking out enemy structures. Unlike the US's A-10 Strike, the Artillery Barrage cannot be intercepted. Recharges every 4 minutes
Cash Hack
Lets you instantly steal a certain amount of money from an enemy supply depot. This can be upgraded 3 times, stealing up to $1000, $2000, and $3000 at levels 1, 2 and 3. You cant steal more money than the enemy already has. This ability is questionable, considering you'll have the Black Lotus that can perform basically the same thing. Still, this is quicker, safer, and lets you steal more money at levels 2 and 3. I just wouldnt take this over the Artillery Barrage.
Emergency Repair
Every 4 minutes, you'll have the ability to instantly repair a group of vehicles in a small areas. This can be purchased 3 times, and will increase in armor repaired and area of effect each time. This is only really useful at level 3, and even then it's effectiveness is questionable, what with the ability to create Propoganda Towers on Overlord Tanks.
5 Star Rank Upgrades EMP Bomb
Lets you drop an EMP Bomb on a large area, instantly disabling all buildings and vehicles within it's effect for about 15 seconds. With enemy defenses down, you can quickly send in some units and dispose of the disabled units, or key structures before the enemy can react. Throwing an EMP Bomb on enemy defenses, and then sending in MiGs to airstrike bases is an excellent tactic.
• China - 20030607.161305 - moo
• GLA - 20030607.170604 - moo
• USA - 20030607.155703 - moo
