Battlemaster tank

The Battlemaster is China's main battle tank (MBT) in Generals.

Overview

Relatively inexpensive and quick to build, the Battlemaster is designed to crush its opponents with great numbers; groups of 5 or more Battlemasters gain a Horde Bonus, improving their rate of fire. While it is not as advanced as American tanks, it is easily capable of crushing the relatively frail GLA armour in a head-on fight, and powerful upgrades are available from the Nuclear Missile Silo to make it even more formidable. The tank lacks any anti-air protection and effective anti-infantry weapons, but can run down infantry.

Upgrades

	Battlemaster Elite Training	All Battlemaster were built as elite.	Purchasable at General's promotion menu by General Ta Hun Kwai's of any rank.
	Autoloader	Increases the Battlemaster's firing speed (fires three shots before reloading).	Purchasable at General Ta Hun Kwai's Propaganda Center for a cost of 2500$.
	Isotope Stability	Radiation released by the destruction of the Battlemaster stops harming friendly units.	Purchasable at General Tsing Shi Tao's Propaganda Center for a cost of 2000$.
	Nationalism	Increases the Battlemaster's horde bonus by 25%.	Purchasable at any Propaganda Center for a cost of 2000$.
	Uranium Shells	Increases the Battlemaster's damage by 25%.	Purchasable at any Nuclear Missile Silo for a cost of 2500$.*
	Nuclear Tanks	Increases the Battlemaster's speed by 25%.	Purchasable at any Nuclear Missile Silo for a cost of 2500$.*

*Pre-installed on General Tsing Shi Tao's Battlemasters.

Game unit

The Battlemaster alone is something of a mediocre unit, lacking the speed of the GLA's basic Scorpion Tank and the armour of the USA's Crusader Tank. It is still quite effective against vehicles and structures as its gun is as strong as a Paladin's, but China's key armoured unit is the Overlord tank. The Battlemaster requires protection from other units to compensate for its weaknesses - Gatling tanks are most effective for this purpose.

The Battlemaster, however, is potentially an extremely capable anti-tank unit once its numbers reach a certain mass. When grouped in units of 10 or more, it can maintain the devastating horde bonus long enough to eliminate its enemies. However, commanders must keep in mind tactic still has some drawbacks. The Battlemaster is more fragile than an Overlord tank, meaning that an air strikes can decimate a horde of Battlemasters very quickly. Swarms of anti-armor infantry can also make short work of even groups of Battlemasters.

A mass of Battlemasters will also have a large footprint, making it impossible for them to have the entire platoon fire from stand-off distances, thus necessitating that Battlemasters close distance, possibly into enemy traps. Finally, as Battlemasters require large numbers to be effective; a true Battlemaster attack is a bit of a gambit, absorbing large quantities of resources without providing versatility to defend against its counter-units. A much more effective option would be a combined assault using both Battlemasters, Gatling Tanks, Dragon Tanks and/or Troop Crawlers.

Zero Hour

• One of General Ta Hun Kwai's Generals Powers allows him to drop Battlemasters anywhere on the map by air (up to 4 Battlemasters at the highest level). Kwai's Battlemaster is also cheaper to produce and has the autoloader upgrade available (Kwai's unique upgrade), greatly increasing the tank's firepower.
• General Shin Fai does not build Battlemasters, as he shuns tanks, but, after capturing a war factory of any other Chinese General, all Battlemasters gain the Nationalism upgrade and, when upgraded, also Patriotism.
• Being a nuclear general, Tsing Shi Tao's tanks automatically roll out with nuclear shell and nuclear engine upgrades. This feature is clearly seen in the tank design (clearly distinctive from the common Battlemaster). The nuclear shell also leaves behind radiation (unlike the standard china battlemaster upgraded with nuclear shells), similar to GLA's toxin shell upgrade.

Assessment

Pros

• Well-balanced in terms of attack, defense and speed and at a good price.
• Absolute gold in numbers due to Horde Bonus improving their combat effectiveness
  • Horde Bonus can stack with General Shin Fai's
  • Horde Bonus further boosted with Nationalism and Patriotism upgrades.
• Access to numerous upgrades to heavily increase their potential even further.
• Nuclear Tank and Uranium Shell upgrades greatly improves their damage potential and speed
• General Tao's variant comes with both Nuclear Tank and Uranium Shell upgrade pre-researched
• General Kwai's variant can be upgraded with Autoloaders to maximize their damage potential
• General Kwai's variant are trained as veterans (elite with Battlemaster Elite Training)
• General Kwai's Battlemasters are cheaper to build.

Cons

• Relatively slow
• Must be used in large numbers for full effectiveness
• Vulnerable to missile-armed infantry
• Vulnerable to aircraft units
• Explodes when destroyed after upgraded with Nuclear Tank
• not available to the infantry general

Selected Quotes

Cut quotes

Videos

C&C Generals — Battlemaster Audio

Battlemaster tank quotes

Add an image to this gallery

Trivia

• The Battlemaster has what appears to be a rocket launcher(?) mounted on top of the turret though it is unused. It could also be an infrared searchlight for night combat.
• The Battlemaster tank is largely representative of the real-life Type 59 Main Battle Tank (a basic copy of the Soviet T-54/55 tank).
• Much of the Chinese arsenal in Generals resembles a Cold War-era military force (with obvious exceptions, like the Overlord). In the Battlemaster's case, this is almost certainly because the older, Soviet-style 'pudding-basin' turret makes it easy to visually distinguish from American tanks.

See also

• Crusader Tank USA only
• Laser Tank General Townes only
• Scorpion Tank Not available to Prince Kassad

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