Mastermind (Tiberium Wars)

In keeping with human Commando infantry, the alien Scrin appear to have their own elite units, known as "Masterminds." Masterminds, like many Scrin units, resemble insects and have a rounded shape that makes them physically larger but no taller than a human. The name of these rarely-encountered alien units is derived from their unique abilities that were initiallybelieved to be derived from extreme psychic acuity, but now has been confirmed to be caused by a piece of Scrin technology known as a "Manipulator Device."

Once in range of an enemy unit - or even an enemy building, bar automated turrets - Masterminds are able to take control of it, no matter how many humans are inside, and turn it against its own side. This way Masterminds have induced panic among attacking GDI forces when their mighty Mammoth tanks have suddenly turned and fired upon their former comrades. It should be noted that Masterminds are only able to control a single unit at a time, and this command will be lost if the Mastermind itself is killed - however, the distance between the controlled unit and the Mastermind once the mind-link has been established appears to be of no consequence. The Manipulator Device is so effective that the Foreman can take control of an enemy construction yard and build a Crane near their Drone Platform so they can use their enemies' own weapons against them.

In addition, Masterminds have also been witnessed teleporting small groups of Scrin units instantaneously from one point of the battlefield to another. This ability is apparently unhindered by the size of the unit being transported.

While not often seen on the battlefield, Masterminds quickly became recognized and feared by GDI and Nod alike. Although unverified, the destruction of Munich appeared to have been caused by erratically behaving engineers sabotaging the base prior to the arrival of invasion forces. Though most of Munich was leveled, there was evidence that a Mastermind possibly had been the cause. It is belived by some that this is, or is close to, the "true" form of Scrin.

Interestingly, they seem unable to control GDI or Nod commandos and during the GDI campaign in Italy they were spotted using a medium-range anti-infantry disintegrator weapons. Most Masterminds encountered lack a weapon to defend themselves.

Encounters with the Scrin subforce identified as "Traveler-59" have revealed a grotesque variation of the Mastermind exclusive to the Traveler sect, codenamed "Prodigy."