Commando (Tiberian Dawn)

Commando (sniper in Brotherhood parlance) is a powerful anti-infantry and anti-structure unit available to both GDI and the Brotherhood of Nod in Tiberian Dawn.

Background
The most highly trained soldiers in the employ of either faction, commandos are deployed in precision strikes against enemy bases and other high value targets. Operators are given leeway when it comes to customizing their combat gear, usually eschewing regulation uniforms in favor of customized battle gear, adapted to their needs. Regardless of their basic gear, commandos typically use a suppressed 12.7 mm/.50 caliber anti-materiel rifle as a primary weapon with a generous supply of C4 for use against enemy structures.

Through the First Tiberium War, commandos were used in special operations by both sides of the conflict. GDI used commandos to disable Nod airfields and cripple their supply chains, while the Brotherhood employed its own commandos and snipers to target GDI assets in order to cripple experimental weapons projects. Notable instances include the assassination of Doctor Wong Hu Chan in Angola, delaying the ion cannon project, destruction of the Mammoth tank proving grounds in Tanzania. A sniper also spearheaded the reclamation of the Nod base where the Ezekiel's Wheel stealth tank was developed.

Game unit
Commandos are perhaps the most iconic unit in Tiberian Dawn, thanks to their unique voice set. In game terms, commandos are a top-tier anti-infantry unit with added mighty building destruction capabilities. Commandos also have generous health pools and are the fastest infantry unit in the game.

However, they are not invincible. Their primary weapon has excellent range, but low rate of fire and infantry in numbers can pose a threat. Their rifle is also ineffective against vehicles, while the need to be in direct contact with the target building makes destroying most base defences impossible (turrets are susceptible as they are ineffective against infantry, and SAMs are an obvious exception). Also, since the target building blows up right after the Commando leaves it, any survivors from buildings the Commando destroys will fire upon the Commando, which is particularly an issue for larger buildings. This makes the Commando’s C4 a limited ability, since there is no way to heal infantry without modding.

When selected

 * Yeah?
 * Yo!
 * Yes, sir?

When idle

 * C'mon!

When exiting a Barracks or a transport

 * Time to rock 'n' roll!

When ordered to move or attack

 * You got it!
 * No problem.
 * I'm on it!

When ordered to plant a C-4

 * I've got a present for ya!

After attacking

 * Keep 'em coming!
 * That was left handed!
 * Real tough guy!
 * (laughter)

Behind the scenes

 * The Internal name, RMBO, is a reference to the 1980s action series Rambo.
 * Frank Klepacki did the voice acting for the Commando.
 * While some publicity shots feature commandos posing with Mossberg 500 shotguns, in-game they use "Raptor" .50 cal assault rifle/sniper rifle hybrids, deadly over long ranges and outfitted with integral suppressors.
 * The Commando’s quotes were also used for the saboteur in the Besieged mission in Command & Conquer: Red Alert - Counterstrike.