Fanatics (Tiberium Wars)

"Behold the noblest of our brothers! They shall suffer not the dread of this meager existence, nor shall they tolerate the tyranny of GDI. Through their sacrifice, they bring liberation to each and every one of us who struggles on in their glorious wake. They will cleanse the land of oppression with the flames of their very souls, as they deliver Kane's word in fire."

- Confessor Marcion, on the Fanatics

Fanatics were suicide bombers used by the Brotherhood of Nod during the Second Nod Reunification War and the Third Tiberium War.

Background
One of the Brotherhood's most dangerous weapons is loyalty. The most devout of Nod's followers, whom many refer to as Fanatics, are equipped with volatile explosive devices that detonate when in close proximity to enemy forces. Fanatics are impossible to suppress, so they must be eliminated before reaching their targets.

Game unit
Fanatics are expendable infantry that fill a unique battlefield role: they are not strictly anti-infantry, anti-vehicle, or elite troops. When a fanatic reaches their target they detonate, dealing a lot of damage to an individual vehicle or effective area damage against squads of infantry. If they are killed before reaching their targets, they simply die and do not detonate. They won't get blown up by their own squad members exploding, etiher.

Fanatics are effective against any unit that lacks strong anti-infantry firepower. They run very quickly - being some of the fastest infantry units in the game, and are completely immune to suppression. While at 700 credits they are fairly expensive - considering they deal damage through suicide, they can easily recoup their cost in many situations. For example, a squad of fanatics can take out a squad of Zone Troopers, or several light vehicles in a matter of seconds. They're also handy for creating windows of opportunity or exploiting brief gaps in an opponent's defenses. They can rush turrets and overwhelm them, and take out buildings in an opponent's base quickly. They can also chase down high-cost enemy units like Annihilator Tripods that are badly damaged before they can get back to base for repairs.

There are two simple ways to deal with fanatics: Lots of anti-infantry firepower or ground attack aircraft. They are very vulnerable to anti-infantry units. Anti-infantry infantry can effectively deal with them in large groups, and any losses sustained should be cost-effective, anti-infantry vehicles will dispatch them effectively, but can be easily overwhelmed if not monitored, and anti-infantry turrets are extremely effective against them. Fanatics are also powerless against airborne aircraft. In terms of cost-effectiveness, Fanatics remain as a precarious choice for dealing with tanks relative due to their high cost, and due to the heavy armor of tanks. Scrin vehicles combined with Buzzers by themselves stand as an already significant deterrent. Fanatics also do splash damage.

Typical ways to enhance fanatics are to use them in groups - attacking with many at once means more of them will get within detonation range. Tiberium Infusion is a great upgrade for Fanatics - as it not only makes them faster, and immune to Tiberium radiation—but it also makes them significantly harder to kill.

Changelog

 * Tiberium Wars patch 1.09: cost/build time reduced by 13% to $700/7 sec.
 * Kane's Wrath patch 1.02: damage increased 54%, blast radius increased 25%

When created

 * Our faith lies in Kane!
 * Our lives for Kane!

When selected

 * One purpose!
 * Honour in death!
 * Warriors of Nod!
 * Fear no enemy!
 * Be clear of mind!
 * Hear the words of Kane!
 * We will be remembered!

When moving

 * As it has been written!
 * It is Kane's will!
 * The Brotherhood has spoken!
 * The great plan unfolds!
 * Our purpose will be revealed!
 * His will moves with us!

When garrisoning a structure

 * We will await in there!
 * It will serve our needs!
 * It has Kane's blessing!
 * Kane has opened these doors!

When ordered to attack

 * We are called!
 * Our time is at hand!
 * It is time!
 * Kane requires it!
 * For the Brotherhood!
 * Kane lives!
 * We must not fail!
 * This is our test!
 * Now!
 * We will not be forgotten!
 * See their weakness!

When retreating

 * It is not our time yet!
 * Kane calls us back!
 * We're not ready!

When suppressed

 * Kane!
 * Protect us!
 * They test our faith!
 * Cover yourselves!

Trivia
"We actually had to tone these guys down for the German version of the game, making them explosives experts as opposed to suicide bombers. Either way, it's the Braveheart-esque face paint which defines this character."

- Matt Bitton


 * In the censored German versions of Tiberium Wars and Kane's Wrath, the fanatics are not a suicide unit but drop an explosive package and vanish. This was made only in the release rated for ages 16+ by the USK, but not in the 18+ releases (such as the Tiberium Wars Kane Edition). This does not affect the gameplay, however.
 * According to Matt Bitton, the Art Direction for Tiberium Wars, the green on their faces were face paint.