Arms Race is a side challenge for Commander's Challenge.
Overview[]
- Security points in this challenge accumulate very fast, and doesn't stop until all Top Secret Protocols are unlocked (maximum 15 points).
- All superweapon build costs are reduced to 1000 credits, also all superweapon cooldown timers are reduced to one-third (PC version) or a half (Xbox 360 and PS3 versions) of their usual timers.
Strategies[]
- Encaged yourself in the starting point is a not a good idea. Relocate your base to the sea for wider expansion area and better protection from enemy's ground force is a good strategy. But beware of Natasha's airstrikes destroying buildings.
- As the Soviets, the Super Reactor's explosion exploit can assist greatly, by putting down a Crusher Crane near an Ore Mine (which can be used to place a Reactor near another, pulling the MCV away before completion will not hinder its construction) first. Move the MCV to the northwestern corner while the Crusher Crane remains busy building Ore Refineries. From there, utilize the build radius provided by the Construction Yard (optionally build a Sentry Gun to stop enemy Engineers from capturing it, and a Barracks for Combat Engineers) to place a Super Reactor directly into the enemy base and immediately pause its construction. The resultant explosion upon its destruction will cause tremendous damage to the enemy base. Build more Reactors (including a Super Reactor for the Battle Lab) and Crusher Cranes to provide additional structure build queues back at the base. By the time Natasha is available, the enemy base should be mostly crippled by Super Reactor blasts, allowing her to finish off any remaining buildings.
- Oleg doesn't build an Airfield in this mission, but will heavily defend his base with his AA ground forces, like Bullfrog and Flak Cannon.
- Allied Arsenal is recommended, as it can obtain Free Trade upgrade, which improves resource collecting effort in early game.
- Chrono Rift together with Surveillance sweep (both in the same column with Free Trade) can slow down Oleg's base construction early in the mission. Later, Chrono Fissure helps to protect important buildings from Vacuum Imploder, or buys the player enough time to counter by banishing the Vacuum Imploder or the Super Reactor powering the base up.
- The Allied has two offensive support powers, unlike the Soviet, which are placed in the same Protocol column, unlike the Imperial counterparts.
- Harbinger gunships is recommended, as it can easily deal with AA ground units, and can self-repair. Advanced Aeronautics and High Technology both improves its capability. It is much cheaper and faster to build than the Imperial Giga-Fortress, and much more flexible than Soviet Kirov Airship.