For the Rivals version, see Orca bomber (Rivals). |
“ | Heavier and better armoured than its fighter cousin, the Orca Bomber trades speed for firepower. Delivering a stream of high-explosive bombs in strafing runs, the Orca Bomber is ideal for softening up ground defences during the beginning of a base assault. - Tiberian Sun manual(src) |
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The Orca Bomber was a heavy GDI Orca aircraft specializing in anti-surface operations, used during the Second Tiberium War and the Firestorm Conflict.
Background[]
“ | Death from above! - ORCA Bomber pilot |
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During the Second Tiberium War, the top brass thought it would be good to have a fleet of light, maneuverable aircraft comprised of variants of the original Orca strike aircraft. One of the most common was the Orca bomber variant, meant strictly for air-to-ground combat.
Building on the success of the ORCA assault craft in the First Tiberium War, the Corps of Engineers was commissioned to come up with a design that could take the fight to Nod's ground forces from above. Work began immediately. In just eight months, a blueprint was drawn up and presented to the Board of Directors, who were impressed with and approved the design for full-scale production. It was virtually identical to the original Orca, with the only difference being the two large bomb bays bolted to either side of the hull, allowing it to deliver a hefty load of heavy-hitting, high-explosive freefall munitions on the target area.
By the Third Tiberium War, the Orca Bomber's role was partially succeeded by the Firehawk fighter-bomber.
Game unit[]
The Orca Bomber's HE bombs are very powerful. So much so that any light-armoured targets caught in the blast radius are not likely to survive a few hits. Even heavy armored targets can still suffer significant damage despite resisting them. The HE bombs are also used to destroying tactical bridges, modifying landscapes, and even capable of damaging the Orca Bomber itself if altitude is not sufficient. Unlike Orca Fighters, Orca Bombers are better armored and are designed for carpet bombing. GDI commanders can maximize both survivability and damage output by sending them in squadrons against tightly grouped structures or ground units.
Due to its attack pattern of carpet bombing, the aircraft must return to a helipad for reloading after a bombing run. It is found that the Orca Bomber will target any anti-air threat if that threat has already launched its rocket against the Bomber.
AI behavior[]
Orca Bombers often accompany main strike forces as support.
Orca Bombers controlled by the AI have the following attack patterns:
All difficulties[]
- 1x guarding friendly base
Easy[]
- 1x targeting Construction Yards, production structures, power plants, Tiberium Refineries, Upgrade Center or Missile Silo
- This task force may be accompanied by 1 Titan or 1 Orca Fighter
- This task force will only be ordered to attack power plants if enemy base is at low power mode
- 1x targeting structures
- This task force may be accompanied by 1 Disruptor that will target base defenses
Medium/Hard[]
- 1x targeting Construction Yards, production structures, power plants, Tiberium Refineries, Upgrade Center or Missile Silo
- This task force may be accompanied by 4 Titans or 1 Orca Fighter
- This task force will only be ordered to attack power plants if enemy base is at low power mode
- 1x targeting structures
Gallery[]
Firestorm render, destroying an army of cyborg reapers
Videos[]
See also[]
- Banshee, Nod counterpart
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