Nuke cannon

Nuke Cannon
Unit
Faction	China
Role	Heavy artillery vehicle
Armament	Nuclear cannon
Properties
Hit points	240
Armor type	Tank
Production
Cost	$1600
Build time	0:20
Produced by	Chinese war factory
Requires	Propaganda center Nuke Cannon Science at Rank 1 (not required for General Tao)
Hot key	N
Combat
Ground attack	400 (Explosion) (Nuke) 1 (Explosion) (Neutron)
Cooldown	10000
Speed	20 (18 when badly damaged)
Attack range	350 (minium 150)
Sight range	180-350
Function
Upgrades	Artillery Training Science at Rank 1 Neutron Shells
Abilities	Can switch between Nuclear and Neutron Shells (when researched)
Notes
Leaves a small radiation field when destroyed

“

Behold, the bringer of light. - Nuke Cannon rolling out of the War Factory

”

The Nuke Cannon was China's and arguably the world's most advanced siege weapon, firing tactical nuclear shells over considerable distances, with suitably destructive results. The majority of generals had to spend promotional points to acquire it (possibly at the expense of another ability), although the Chinese Government entrusted General Tsing Shi Tao the use of Nuke Cannon without spending promotional points.

Background

“

We bear gifts. - Nuke Cannon

”

The Nuke Cannon consisted of a large howitzer-like weapon mounted on a tracked vehicle, with a cabin for the crew located at the front, similar to a regular truck.

Before firing the cannon, the vehicle had to deploy four stabilizers. This, coupled with the slow speed of the vehicle and long reloading time of the main gun, made using it in the field time-consuming and potentially very costly; Nuke Cannons cost considerably more than Inferno Cannons, but were similarly weakly armoured and even more vulnerable to enemy fire. Nevertheless, many generals considered the destruction wrought by the Nuke Cannon to be worth the cost, as nuclear shells were very effective against tanks, infantry and even the most heavily protected structures at far greater ranges than the Inferno Cannon, which could only lob comparatively weak shells.

Later in the conflict against the GLA, Nuke Cannons can be alternatively loaded with Neutron Shells to specifically neutralize enemy personnel.

Game unit

“

This day is to be remembered. - Nuke Cannon

”

The Nuke Cannon, in spite of its ponderousness, is effective both as a siege weapon and an aid for base defense simply due to its devastating raw damage at range. Its Nuclear Shells can effectively destroy most buildings in a few hits and devastate an attacking formation, leaving behind a deadly radioactive cloud in their wake. Its Neutron Shells are equally effective, able to obliterate scores of infantry and leaving so many neutralized vehicles so as to completely halt an assault through congestion. Neutralized vehicles could then be commandeered if desired. As with the Inferno Cannon, the Nuke Cannon's shells can not be intercepted. Ordering it to Defend an area allows the unit to take advantage of its long range for area denial.

The Nuke Cannon's weaknesses are pretty straightforward. It is perhaps the most cumbersome unit in the war, with very slow speed, mandatory deployment setup and high cost. The cannon also has a tendency to reposition itself before firing, a time-consuming process that could cost the player precious seconds. Unlike most other vehicles, the Nuke Cannon cannot be transported by a Helix and is forced to drive all the way to its destination. It is also unable to defend itself in close quarters, requiring an escort of Battlemasters, Overlords and Gattling Tanks. The radiation cloud created in the event of their destruction can be problematic as well. Even if no enemies are around, care must be taken when using them in environments with many tall obstacles; unless deployed with sufficient clearance, their rounds can detonate against adjacent buildings or terrain.

Abilities

“

We will be generous. - Nuke Cannon

”

Nuclear Shells Switches to Nuclear Shells. They are effective against all ground targets and leave behind a brief radioactive cloud on hit.

Neutron Shells Switches to Neutron Shells. They produce a blast that instantly kills infantry, clears garrisoned structures/tunnel networks, and empties enemy vehicles, but inflict minuscule damage to everything else. Requires Neutron Shells upgrade.

Upgrades

Base

Neutron Shells Allows Nuke Cannons to switch to Neutron Shells. Purchased at the Nuclear Missile (except Ta Hun Kwai for $2500.

Promotion

Artillery Training Nuke Cannons are built as veteran. Purchased at Tsing Shi Tao's, Fai's and vanilla China's promotion menu with a rank of 1 star.

Changelog

• Generals patch 1.04:
  • Explosion damage done after a nuke cannon is destroyed is reduced from 25 to 10
  • Nuke cannon changed so it moves the same speed when damaged, not faster

Quotes

When created
Behold, the bringer of light.
When selected
We bear gifts. Nuke warheads preserved. They will never forget. We will be generous. The mother of all weapons.
When ordered to move
Green is good. Where shall we prepare? Be careful, she's fragile. Precious cargo. We must be patient.
When ordered to attack
Brighter than the sun. Brace yourselves! Morning glory. This day is to be remembered. The final word.
When ordered to perform ability: Deploying
Preparing for the moment. Setting up for countdown. Deploying.
When ordered to perform ability: Undeploying
Packing up materials. Preparing for transport. Folding up.

Trivia

Grable being fired during Operation Upshot–Knothole

• The icon image was based on the 280mm Atomic Cannon fired during Upshot-Knothole. The M65 might have inspired the creation of the Nuke Cannon.
• There are unused versions of the Nuke Cannon for Nuke General. The only significant difference in these is that the Chinese red star is replaced by a radiation symbol. The Nuke Cannon was also supposed to get a unique selection picture. It's rather surprising they ended up unused, seeing as they would have been very easy to implement.
• In actuality, the blast created by the Nuke Cannon's shell should have the same explosive yield as the Nuclear Missile's. The smallest nuclear explosion was recorded at 1.2t of TNT, which was only a product of an early nuclear test at the 15th of October year 1958. The smallest nuclear explosion that was put for military use was recorded at 10t of TNT.
• Real-life neutron bombs or ERW (Enhanced Radiation Weapon) still leave residual radiation but only in a shorter span of hours than a regular nuclear bomb.

Gallery

• 

  The original schematics of the Nuke Cannon, with six stabilizers instead of four.

• 

  Unused model for Nuke Generals

• 

  Unused selection picture for Nuke General

See also

• Tomahawk launcher
• SCUD launcher