| “ | Laser Crusader ready for engagement! - Laser Tank rolling out from the War Factory |
” |
The Laser Tank (also known as the Laser Crusader) was a futuristic replacement for standard US armour pioneered by Townes and his main battle tank (MBT).
Background[]
| “ | Keep the power flowing! - Laser Tank |
” |
Based on a Crusader chassis (and thus often dubbed the 'Laser Crusader'), Laser Tanks had turrets equipped with deadly laser weapons, most effective against other vehicles and structures. The tank fulfilled the same role as the Crusader in Townes' forces, costing the same for him to acquire.
Because the lasers used more energy than could be generated with a portable rector, power was beamed directly to the tanks from the base power supply. This meant that if Townes failed to maintain sufficient base power levels the tanks became entirely inactive. The lasers are not accurate against infantry.
Upgrades[]
| “ | Laser cannon targeting set! - Laser Tank |
” |
Drones[]
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Scout Drone | The Scout Drone simply fed battlefield information to the vehicle crew, increasing their sight range and revealing nearby stealthed units. Costs $100. |
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Battle Drone | The Battle Drone was armed with a small machine gun to defeat enemy infantry, and could also repair its parent vehicle. Costs $300. |
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Hellfire Drone | The Hellfire Drone, available in Zero Hour, fired a small but surprisingly powerful missile against enemy ground units. Costs $500. |
Drones can be further upgraded with Drone Armor, increasing their durability.
Structure-specific[]
| “ | Composite Armor installed sir. - Crusader |
” |
 |
Composite Armour | This upgrade improves the armor of each Crusader. | Purchasable at any Strategy Center for $2000 |
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Advanced Training | Allowed Crusader, along with all other USA units gain veteran status twice as fast. | Purchasable at any Strategy Center for $1500 |
Game Unit[]
Capabilities[]
| “ | Power up the lasers! - Laser Tank on the attack |
” |
The laser generated by the Laser Tank was more dangerous to enemy armor than even a standard 120mm tank shell. Only the Chinese Overlord could match the Laser Tank's damage, and Townes' machines were far cheaper and faster. This often afforded them much more flexibility in engagements than the cumbersome Overlord while still packing the same 'punch'. In large numbers, they were more than capable of decimating entire armored columns in seconds, especially if upgraded with battle drones.
As with most US tanks, Laser Tanks, when in large groups, can even defeat Overlord Tanks.
Counters[]
| “ | Keep the power flowing! - Laser Tank |
” |
Laser Crusaders had a unique weakness - the need to maintain a steady level of power at the nearest base for Laser Tanks to be used. This meant that destroying enough of Townes' power plants would not just shut down his base defenses, but also the Laser Tanks. Each Laser Tank drains one unit of energy - potentially turning a captured Reinforcement Pad from an asset into a liability unless many Laser Tanks are lost to action.
Laser Tanks, as with many other equivalents, are weak against infantry, especially those that fire missiles. They also cannot defend themselves against enemy aircraft.
Tactics[]
To be used effectively while on the move, the Laser Crusader should be supported by anti-infantry vehicles, preferably a pathfinder in a Humvee, and backed up by an Avenger (for which Townes has a cost advantage) both for rocket and aircraft defense. While other generals can build as many vehicles as their resources allow, Townes has to keep track of his energy usage. Its short range means that siege units are a necessity if the Crusader is to take on base defenses, and as Townes has no Tomahawks, the Microwave Tank is his only ground option.
Selected Quotes[]
The Crusader borrows the voiceset of the standard Crusader, with additional specialized lines.
| “ | Laser Crusader ready for engagement! - When emerging from the War Factory |
” |
| “ | Keep the power flowing! - When selected |
” |
| “ | Laser cannon targeting set! - When selected |
” |
| “ | Power up the lasers! - When ordered to attack |
” |
| “ | Releasing energy pulse! - When ordered to attack |
” |
| “ | Raising intensity! - When ordered to attack |
” |
Trivia[]
- The tank shares some of its lines with the Crusader Tank, even the line "Crusader Tank responding". It does have several new lines (see Selected Quotes above), however. In quotes, the laser tank also refers to itself as a "laser crusader".
- Insights, such as the Soviet Union's attempt at such an advanced weapon, indicate that a successful production of an actual laser weapon armored vehicle would also mean that it would be the most expensive tank in the world, topping the South Korean K2 Black Panther tank which sits at over $8 million a unit.
- Although this unit is the original American Crusader Tank developed for Townes, the word "Crusader" is almost nowhere in the game except in the files.
- The various laser weapons in Generals are typically very precise, yet the Laser Crusader suffers from the same lack of accuracy against infantry that the normal Crusader does. This was likely done for balancing reasons.
- The Laser Crusader and Black Market are the only entities in Generals and Zero Hour whose icons do not match their respective factions' signature color.
See also[]
- Crusader tank, basic American counterpart
- Battlemaster tank, Chinese counterpart
- Scorpion tank, GLA counterpart
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