Apocalypse tank (Red Alert 3)

See Apocalypse Tank for other uses

"Armageddon is here!"

- Apocalypse Tanks

The Apocalypse tank is USSR's heaviest land hitter in Red Alert 3.

Background
While lacking the anti-air weapons and possessing the horrendously low speed of the previous generation of the Apocalypse tanks, these new vehicles are still as fearsome as ever. The chain-like Myasorubka (Meat Grinder) cutting treads built under the tank give it greater traction for its massive weight, and can be combined with a new feature: the magnetic harpoon, a product of Soviet research into the military applications of magnetism.

Lesser vehicles caught by the Shchuka (pike) Magnetic Harpoon are dragged underneath the cutting treads, destroying them completely. Additionally, the harpoon can be used to drag the Apocalypse towards an anchored structure, increasing its low speed. However, the harpoon is very energy hungry; requiring the tank to power down the main guns while it is activated. Vehicles may still fire (perhaps futilely) at the Apocalypse while being dragged towards the tank. Even without the M-Harpoon, the Apocalypse Tank is still capable of crushing smaller vehicles by simply rolling over them.

The Apocalypse Tank has 16 layers of heavy armour, and extremely powerful twin 125mm Drakon cannons. The original designers of the Apocalypse, the Archangelsk Tank Plant, assures the Soviet public that the name Apocalypse refers to the tanks purported ability to survive anything. As one may imagine, they are very expensive to construct and require significant technical skill. The tank also features a Tesla reactor that eliminates 70% of emissions, but despite that, still produces a lot of exhaust. The turret also tends to wobble a little as the Apocalypse rumbles along, which might inhibit accuracy while firing on the move.

The Apocalypse tank is not amphibious, given it's huge weight, and is much more specialized than it's counterparts: The Allied assault destroyer and the Imperial King Oni. However, it is possible that the Apocalypse is a better anti-armour platform than both of them, to balance them. The Assault Destroyer and King Oni are, however, inferior to the Apocalypse Tank on a strictly one-to-one basis.

According to additional information, the Apocalypse Tank even became popularized in a morning cartoon show and toy line ("They Are Not Allies"), at which point it truly became an icon not only in the Soviet Union's military arsenal, but all over the world.

All Apocalypse Tanks are built only at the War Factory with a Battle Lab in place.

Tactics and Counters
The latest Apocalypse Tank does not have a great defense against most aircraft and infantry - the worst of which is that the Tank can be easily bribed to joining the Allies with the fee of $1000. Shrink Beams, Tankbusters, Javelin Soldiers, Hydrofoil's Weapon Jammers, Steel Ronin, Harbinger Gunships, Giga Fortresses, Yuriko and Spectrum Towers were additional reasons why Apocalypse Tanks require support.

If they come attack from naval artillery, the Apocalypse Tanks can't do much other then to run away inland to where they can't be shot at. Their M-Harpoons are effective on only vehicles and structures. They could technically be used on ships, but only ones that could move onto land, assuming they actually did.

Deployment History
"So, you managed to destroy the Iron Curtain? No matter. My Apocalypse Tanks will grind you to dust, with or without it."

- Oleg

Allied campaign

 * Oleg Vodnik was the Soviet Tank General that widely used this monstrous tank in mission The Famous Liberation but all were either bribed or destroyed by Lissette and the Allied Commander.


 * On a scouting Mission called The Great Bear Trap, Giles and the Commander disguised a Mirage tank as theirs but it did not fool the Soviets for long. This made little difference, since most the of Soviet units in the area were bribed by the Allied spies, include a pair of real Apocalypse Tanks.


 * When the Allies invaded Leningrad in the last days of WWIII to capture Cherdenko and Krukov for their crimes against humanity, the Apocalypses were called to battle once more to stop the invading Allies and their Mirage Tanks.

Imperial Campaign

 * In Crumble Kremlin Crumble Krukov send these tanks after the Shogun Executioner but they fell down to the wrong side of the robot's katanas, showing the Apocalypse tank did not possess the toughest armor in the world and the best anti armor platform anymore. Also two Sudden Transports disguised as the tank and released the Imperial Warriors to attack the Conscripts but one of them got zapped by a Tesla Coil. After capturing several Soviet VIP Bunkers the Imperial Commander could build these Soviet Monsters.


 * In The Last Red Blossom Trembled it was summoned by Gregor and were the last remains of the Soviets to help the Allies but got destroyed by Mecha Tengus, Rocket Angels and the King Oni.

Trivia
"You can't escape!"

- Apocalypse Tank using its special ability


 * Conceptually, the M-Harpoon is similar to Yuri's Magnetrons, the only difference between the two is the Apocalypse uses it to drag vehicles underneath its grinders, while the Magnetron lifts the victim unit in the air and pulls it towards the Magnetron.
 * Its Grinders are similar to the Yuri's Grinder only it is only meant for grinding tanks not infantry, nor does it provide any cash from units ground. However, as of the Beta's patch 1.03, it is capable of grinding buildings too.
 * In the "Tutorial" Datafile, an Apocalypse Tank drone happened to crush the prospector forcing the guardian tank to introduce building another one at the refinery and during the special abilities phase, 1 out of 3 Apocalypse Tank target drones went out of control, leaving the Guardian Tank no choice but to introduce the Hydrofoil's special ability, rendering the biggest Soviet tank vulnerable, allowing the Imperial Tsunami tank to move in for the kill. In the last phase, the Hammer Tank's driver in the Tutorial had to change tanks, and that's when he used this twin barreled monster to exact revenge on the Tsunami Tank for assaulting him throughout the datafile.