Apocalypse tank (Red Alert 2)

"The appropriately named Apocalypse tank is a "war in a can". It can attack any ground and air targets and it’s expected to be the last unit standing."

- Zofia

The Apocalypse assault tank is a Soviet heavy assault tank in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 and Yuri's Revenge.

Background
The Apocalypse tank was the most powerful tank in the Third World War. It possessed a pair of powerful cannons effective against both vehicles and structures, and was capable of eliminating the IFV and other light vehicles with a single volley. Against infantry, the cannons were significantly less effective, doing relatively minor damage. The Apocalypse also featured dual Mammoth Tusk missile launchers, effective against enemy aircraft. Lt. Zofia described them as "war in a can". Like the earlier Mammoth tanks, the Apocalypse was designed to go toe-to-toe with any enemy unit, and emerge the last unit standing.

Game unit
The tank itself was much larger and slower than the Grizzly and Rhino tanks, but also much more powerful, doing more than twice the damage of the Rhino with its twin cannons. In addition to its cannons, the Apocalypse also featured a pair of anti-air missile launchers. Although these missile launchers were slow to fire, they were significantly more powerful than other anti-air missiles such as those found on IFVs. This allowed the Apocalypse tank to defend itself reasonably well against aerial threats, especially in conjunction with its advanced heavy armour. Its armour was only equalled by the Battle Fortress and Kirov airship. An on-board self-repair system allowed the Apocalypse to repair itself when damaged. When elite, they become very powerful, becoming strong against infantry, vehicles, buildings, and even aircraft.

In multiplayer, the Apocalypse tank was mostly found by players to be a situational unit. Despite its power, its cost and slow speed meant that small numbers of tanks were often vulnerable. It was generally most effective if a large number of them were built, in which case they were often unstoppable. The resources this required, however, meant that this was not always possible to pull off.

The AI usually attacks with 4 Apocalypse tanks. They prioritize defensive structures above all other targets, and will bypass all other types of enemy structures and units until there are no defensive structures left in the vicinity. However, once they become aware of enemy units, they will leave their previously targeted building and engage them instead. Once all of the nearby enemy units are defeated, they will proceed to attack the nearest defensive building from their current location. Note that like all tanks that prioritize defenses, Apocalypse tanks do not consider Tank bunkers to be a defense regardless of whether or not it contains enemy tanks.

Once all defenses are destroyed, Apocalypse tanks become like any other tank with no preferred target; they will attack the nearest building to them regardless of type, and will turn and attack enemy units if they become aware of any nearby.

Apocalypse tanks are reasonably good defensive assault tanks, as their high health means that multiple offensive units will have to be dispatched to deal with them (superweapons' damage is insufficient). However, they are also expensive ($1750, or $1312 with an Industrial Plant), so if the enemy has enough firepower to one-shot an Apocalypse tank, it is more efficient to use two Rhino tanks.

Counters
Their ability to target both ground and air units makes brutal AI's Apocalypse tanks formidable defenders. However, Apocalypse tanks are only able to damage one unit at a time and it is hampered further by a relatively slow rate of fire. This makes it very easy to overwhelm them with large groups of Grizzly, Rhino, or Lasher tanks, Rocketeers, and other infantry units, especially small numbers of Guardian GIs. Also, its anti-air missiles are slow and lack firepower.

Aftermath
After the Psychic Dominator Disaster, the Soviets introduced a new design of their Apocalypse tank. It was lighter and cheaper than the old version, but had less armor than before.

After Cherdenko's trip to 1927, the Apocalypse tank had a different design with grinders and magnetic beam to destroy anything in its way, but was stripped off anti-air armaments.

Deployment history

 * Apocalypse tanks were deployed during the initial invasion of the United States (several were seen in San Francisco when the Allies traveled back in time to stop Yuri). They can also be seen in the introduction video to Red Alert 2.
 * Apocalypse tanks are first encountered in the Allied campaign during Operation: Mirage.
 * Romanov's Black Guard possesed four elite Apocalypse tanks which were deployed around the Kremlin.


 * In the Soviet campaign, the Apocalypse tank becomes available during Operation: Chrono Defense. It is available in all subsequent missions.
 * Apocalypse tanks were seen passing the Golden Gate Bridge in the cutscene before Operation: Sub-Divide, as well as in front of it after the time shift in Operation: Time Lapse.

Quotes
Note: in Red Alert 2, the Apocalypse tank shares its quotes with the Rhino heavy tank.

When selected

 * The instrument of doom.
 * It is day of judgement.
 * Armageddon is here.
 * Soviet power supreme.
 * Annihilating.

When moving

 * They will run in fear.
 * I cast a deadly shadow.
 * It will soon be a wasteland.
 * Excellent.
 * Be patient.

When ordered to attack

 * Eradicate them.
 * The end is at hand.
 * These will be your last moments.
 * Taste your mortality.
 * The apocalypse has begun.
 * Bringing down the hammer.

Cameos
Alpha cameo:

In order: English/French, German, Korean, Chinese. Top row is standard, bottom row is veteran.

Trivia

 * Although the opening to Red Alert 2 depicts Apocalypse tanks driving into Texas, they are not encountered in any missions in the Allied campaign set in America, but were present in the non-canon Soviet campaign. It is notable that in Yuri's Revenge, Allied commander did encounter the Apocalypse tanks while struggling in San Francisco.
 * The battle lab in the Ural mountains housed the blueprints for this tank.
 * The game's cutscenes depict the tanks as black, while their in-game voxel is dark brown.
 * Photographs of Red Alert 2 Apocalypse tanks were found displayed on the walls of a museum within the first Cairo Temple of Nod in the First Tiberium War.
 * Apocalypse tanks appear in a loading screen in Command & Conquer: Generals that only appears in-game if no videos are found while loading. The image was also used in several promotional pieces for the game, as well as in the multiplayer sneak peek.
 * The AI tends to use groups of 4 Apocalypse tanks.