Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour manual

The following article serves as a partial transcript^† of the Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour manual. All material written in this article is of copyright ©2003 by Electronic Arts, Inc. The author of this article claims no right of the material written.

^† The following sections were removed to preserve only or mostly the lore-related information:

Introduction
New Controls
Setting Up The Game
Local Play
Credits

Security Council Sub-Comittee (Resolution 1521) on Global Liberation Army[]

Although China succeeded in driving the GLA from its western border, it failed to corral the organization, which has spread across Central Asia into Kazakhstan. The GLA's series of victories has rallied sympathizers, allies, and soldiers among the rebel militias of Central Asia that have ideological or political grievances against China and the USA. As predicted by this sub-committee, the failure to stop the GLA in Asia has made it a force in Central Asia and, with its capture of the Baikonur Cosmodrome facility, a ballistic threat to Europe.

The USA has mobilized forces to root out the GLA from Baikonur. While American Generals have called the upcoming action at the Cosmodrome a "mop-up operation," accumulated intelligence suggests that the USA is making a force commitment that has not been seen since the Iraq War a decade ago.

Information emerging from the Baikonur region is sketchy and unreliable at this time. The GLA may be garrisoned among an arsenal of ballistic weapons at the facility. The garrisoned forces will not hesitate to deploy such weapons, particularly if there is no option for escape. The USA must act quickly and decisively to avoid devastating environmental effects similar to those resulting from the Sudan Crisis earlier this century.

In Iran, Egypt, and Syria, informants are reporting that a new, more virulent form of anthrax has become available on the black market. Codenamed Anthrax Gamma, this strain purportedly doubles the lethality of previous forms of the bacterial agent. While little has been confirmed, a great deal of GLA cell phone chatter and intercepted email seems to be swirling around an individual nicknamed "Dr. Thrax."

A research immunologist by training, Dr. Thrax has been selling biological agents to the GLA for some time. He is believed to travel with a phalanx of GLA Elite Guards, and his profile in the organization continues to rise. His whereabouts are unknown.

Overhead reconnaissance has tracked numerous GLA units and personnel melting into mountainous terrain north and west of the Baikonur facility. Part of the GLA has escaped to regroup, and the remaining forces at Baikonur are refusing to negotiate. If Dr. Thrax has finished development of Anthrax Gamma, the revitalized GLA poses an even greater threat to the nations of Europe.

The sub-committee recommends that the Security Council attempt to gain resolution on the situation at Baikonur and to penetrate the GLA leadership through any available channels.

Playing the New Campaigns[]

USA Campaign Overview[]

The USA has driven the GLA into remote territories in Western Asia but has not been able to claim a decisive victory. While friends and family clamor for the return of soldiers to their homeland, USA Generals are intent on finishing the job. Scattered intelligence suggests that the GLA has acquired chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction, but the information is not reliable. Of greater certainty is the new leadership of the GLA, which, experts believe, will lead the terrorist organization on a fresh wave of attacks against the American military. The USA must act quickly and decisively before the initiative and the will to fight have been lost.

GLA Campaign Overview[]

USA Generals have been stymied by the GLA's continued efforts to harass and strike targets of opportunity. Analysts estimate that the GLA is recruiting two new divisions and is stockpiling resources, possibly including new weapons of mass destruction. With each successful terror strike, the GLA gains new admirers, more press, and momentum to deliver a finishing blow to its enemies.

China Campaign Overview[]

The USA side has suffered greatly at the expense of the GLA, and Chinese Generals are aware of it. While China experienced significant losses in driving the GLA from their western territories, the border is now secure. As the GLA has left pockmarks on USA military might, China has so far stayed out of the recent hostilities. However, any further sign of American weakness may become an opportunity to roll the tanks of the Chinese Generals.

New USA Elements[]

NOTE: For all sides including USA, most units slow down when they are damaged. Some, however, do not.

Special note on drones: When USA units upgrade with airborne drones, the drones cause enemy anti-air units to target them first. Drone-equipped vehicles can be used as the vanguard for an air attack. This note does not apply to the ground-based Sentry Drone.

New USA Units[]

Icon	Name	Description
	Sentry Drone	This stealthed vehicle provides a forward-looking eye that doesn’t need much coordination or supervision. When the drone is upgraded, a nose-mounted 20mm machine gun is automatically deployed against infantry and small vehicles.
	Microwave Tank	The Microwave Tank can disable the electronics in structures via microwave frequencies. Defensively, a microwave field harms infantry.
	Avenger	A mobile platform, the Avenger can paint airborne and ground targets with its Point Defense Laser. When targets are painted, other units in the vicinity can fire faster and with better success at them. The Avenger can also down enemy aircraft.

New USA Structures[]

Icon	Name	Description
	Fire Base	Packing a 155mm cannon, this small firing base can deliver a tremendous amount of ordnance a long way. If inbound hostiles manage to avoid the barrage, they may be weak enough to be dispatched by the four infantrymen that can be garrisoned inside.

New USA Upgrades[]

Icon	Name	Description
	Countermeasures	To protect its considerable investment in airborne weapons systems, the USA has developed effective countermeasures to heat- and radar-seeking projectiles. All USA aircraft can upgrade to Countermeasures. Available at Airfield.
	Hellfire Drone	This upgrade can equip most USA units with a drone that fires Hellfire missiles.
	Chemical Suits	In the face of likely Toxin attacks, USA infantry and other personnel should be equipped with the Chemical Suits upgrade. While a Chemical Suit is not impervious to Toxins, it can withstand them until the wearer can clear the area. It is effective against radiological and microwave attacks as well. Available at Strategy Center
	Supply Lines	A modern army can be stopped in its tracks if supply lines are hindered or cut. Adding the Supply Lines upgrade increases the productivity of Chinooks, which keeps the units rolling forward. Available at Strategy Center.
	Bunker Busters	Six feet of re-enforced concrete buried twenty feet below ground cannot withstand a well-placed Bunker Buster. When it detonates, the explosive upgrade kills garrisoned infantry or forces them to exit the building or Tunnel Network. Available at the Airfield.
	MOAB	An upgrade for a Fuel Air Bomb, the Massive Ordnance Air Burst is a big bomb designed for low-altitude detonation. The nine tons of explosive on-board can topple tanks several hundred yards from ground zero. Available from Strategy Center once Fuel Bomb General Power is selected.
	Sentry Drone Gun	This upgrade gives the Sentry Drone a machine gun.

New USA Generals Powers[]

Icon	Name	Description
	Leaflet Drop	The sharpest blow strikes an enemy's will to fight. A Leaflet Drop in an enemy’s camp saps morale and reduces the will of his units to resist. Affected units become temporarily immobile.
	Spectre Gunship	The Spectre Gunship can lay waste to anything that has the misfortune of being in its sights. This slow-flying platform flies in a tight circle, dispensing 50-caliber shells from the multiple machine guns mounted down its sides. It is equipped with a manual override for targeting during flight.

New China Elements[]

Special note on the Black Napalm upgrade: When clearance is first given from the Command Center to drop napalm, a Chinese MiG is not required to return to base before reloading and dropping a second time.

New China Units[]

Icon	Name	Description
	Listening Outpost	China has developed advanced surveillance technologies that can be deployed in low-cost units for the front line. The Listening Outpost can detect the movements of units across a wide radius, including stealthed units, and is fortified with Tank Hunter units.
	Helix	This large helicopter can transport infantry and some vehicles across any terrain. A flexible platform, the Helix can be upgraded with the Propaganda Tower, Gattling Gun, or Bunker. Napalm Bombs can also be added for additional firepower.
	ECM Tank	This vehicle-based suite of electronic countermeasures protects advancing Chinese columns. A multi-frequency jammer effectively disrupts guided missile and rocket attacks, which can cause them to miss their targets. Its directed beam can also disable the electronics of vehicle units.

New China Structures[]

Icon	Name	Description
	Internet Center	Stronger than the sum of its parts, the Internet Center can hold up to eight Hackers, who perform better when working together. The Internet Center can be upgraded with Satellite Hack 1 and Satellite Hack 2.

New China Upgrades[]

Icon	Name	Description
	Neutron Mines	Neutron Mines are lethal weapons against personnel that may be attempting to commandeer a protected structure. Neutron Mines can also take out the drivers of vehicles. Driverless vehicles become neutral and can be commandeered.
	Satellite Hack 1	Upgraded at the Internet Center, the Satellite Hack 1 reveals all territory around each Command Center on the map.
	Satellite Hack 2	From the Internet Center, the Satellite Hack 2 can periodically expose all opposing satellite frequencies, revealing all that the enemy can see for a short period of time.
	Neutron Shells	Long rumored to be in the Chinese arsenal, the Neutron Shell destroys enemy personnel, leaving structures and units untouched. Neutron Shells are launched from the Nuke Cannon.

New China Generals Powers[]

Icon	Name	Description
	Carpet Bomb	A high altitude aerial bombardment can rattle the cage of the enemy and wipe out columns well before they arrive. The Carpet Bomber can release volleys on enemy installations.
	Frenzy	This Generals Power drives friendly units into a frenzy. Firepower and armor of these units are temporarily increased, which in a single moment can turn the tide of the battle.

New GLA New Elements[]

Special note on the Angry Mob: Angry Mobs cannot be garrisoned, transported, or moved through the Tunnel Networks. GPS Scramble does not work on them.
Special note on GLA power: If the GLA captures an enemy Nuclear Reactor or Cold Fission Reactor, the GLA can build structures at a faster rate.

New GLA Units[]

Icon	Name	Description
	Saboteur	This infantry unit receives special training in stealth and sabotage. Capable of climbing cliffs, the Saboteur can infiltrate enemy bases, sneak into buildings, and power them down. If a Saboteur enters an enemy Command Center, all Generals Powers are reset.
	Combat Cycle	Manned by infantry personnel, the Combat Cycle is a low-cost, highly mobile fighting unit. Excellent for reconnaissance operations, the Combat Cycle acquires the abilities of any GLA infantry unit that drives it.
	Battle Bus	A re-enforced civilian bus, the Battle Bus can carry infantry units to the front line. Transported units can fire weapons from the windows of the Battle Bus. When immobilized, the Battle Bus becomes bunkered cover for the remaining troops.

New GLA Structures[]

Icon	Name	Description
	Fake Structures	Effective diversionary instruments, Fake Structures can force the enemy to change tactics or waste resources. However, Fake Structures can be upgraded to real structures, changing the battlefield circumstances once again.

New GLA Upgrades[]

Icon	Name	Description
	Worker Shoes	When given shoes, GLA workers can move quicker, which increases their productivity. Available at the Black Market.
	Camo Netting	Applying Camo Netting to Stinger Sites and Tunnel Networks wraps them in camouflage protection.
	Fortified Structure	The Fortified Structure upgrades the external armor of GLA structures. Available at Palace.
	Booby Trap	The Booby Trap upgrade allows Rebel units to place invisible explosive charges on any structures or buildings. Enemy combatants that attempt to commandeer them detonate the charges. Available at Barracks.

New GLA Generals Powers[]

Icon	Name	Description
	GPS Scrambler	GPS Scrambler accesses the Global Positioning System frequencies and scrambles satellite transmissions across a wide area. When deployed, GPS Scrambler hides units under a camouflage cloak.
	Sneak Attack	Using the Sneak Attack, the GLA can place a tunnel exit anywhere on the map, allowing personnel to strike an enemy’s base from within the base itself. Attacking units should be positioned in a previously built Sneak Attack or Network tunnel before deployment.

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