Ion cannon (Rivals)

	For other uses, see Ion Cannon.

Ion Cannon
Unit
Faction	GDI
Role	Outside context blast
Tech level	26
Production
Cost	130
Produced by	James Solomon
Combat
Ground attack	6000 vs 6000 vs 1000 vs 4000 vs
Air attack	6000 vs
Cooldown	30 seconds
Notes
Blast radius is 18 units. Damage to adjacent tiles gradually decreases. Blast sequence takes 3.3 seconds

“

Ion cannon activated - GDI EVA

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The Ion Cannon is a rare GDI support power in Command & Conquer: Rivals.

Background

Targets any tile on the battlefield. After 3.3 seconds, it deals massive damage to any unit and medium damage to all adjacent units.

Game power

When hitting directly, the Ion Cannon can remove all but the most durable battle units in the game. Light to medium armored units won't survive even being next to the blast. This makes it very hard to play fortress setup against Solomon, since at the critical moment it can remove, say, an Artillery setup, and move in to capture the pads.

The high damage makes it suitable to deal with tech units, but the high cost means it will rarely trade favorably. To compensate, the Cannon should be used only in critical moments, such as removing enemy units from the pads and capturing the control of the nuclear missile.

When facing Solomon, the units should be kept apart from each other as the missile is about to launch. The units in the blast periphery should be moved out of harm's way when the Ion blast warning is given, and moved back in after the blast.

Damage at 6 units from the epicenter of the blast is 100%. 12 units away it's 70% and at 18 units it's 30%. Damage to the base is 4000 if the epicenter hits the base and 2000 if it hits an adjacent tile.

Unless using it in conjunction with multiple units attacking, do not use the Ion Cannon against Centurions with their shields up as the shield will leave the Centurion unharmed.

Changelog

• 2018-12-06: Damage to structure decreased to 4000 (was 6000)
• 2019-07-31:
  • Damage gradually decreases with distance from the center tile
  • Damage to structure increased to 6000 (was 4000)
• 2019-12-11: Reduced cost to 130 (was 150)
• 2020-03-25: Damage to structure decreased to 4000 (was 6000)

Videos

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