| “ | Are you ready? - Overlord Tank, rolling out of the War Factory(src) |
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Overlord Tank is the heavy tank unit of China in Command & Conquer: Generals and its expansion, Zero Hour.
Contents
Background
Large and slow, the Overlord tank is a battlefield force to be reckoned with. In addition to its powerful twin cannons, it is large enough to crush smaller vehicles. A bunker, a gatling cannon, or a propaganda tower can be installed on its back.
General Ta Hun Kwai developed a newer version of the Overlord tank known as Emperor Overlord tank.
Game unit
Overlord Tank variants
| “ | They will beg for mercy. - Overlord Tank on the offensive |
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The slow-moving, overwhelmingly-armed Overlord epitomizes the basic approach of the Chinese army. In order to be most effective these tanks should be used in mixed squads, with varied upgrades and flank protection from other units.
With their double cannons and thick armor they make good tank destroyers in addition to running over infantry and vehicles including enemy tanks. A large group of upgraded Overlord Tanks (more than three) is unstoppable, unless met with overwhelming force or massed dedicated anti-armor weapons. Due to their armor they are ideal for making the initial breach in the enemy line and allowing smaller, faster, less armored units to attack the rear and fight in the confines of the enemy’s base. The Overlord can also play a role in defending a base or key areas on the battlefield before more permanent base defenses can be constructed.
Overlords are unwieldy and the slow traverse of their turrets means that large groups of smaller and more mobile anti-tank units can quickly overwhelm them (although, it should be noted that when facing large number of smaller vehicles in a confined area, the Overlord can simply run them over). The Overlord's armor is particularly vulnerable to rocket-wielding infantry units and enemy aircraft, although the Gatling Cannon upgrade compensates for this to an extent. Despite their apparent size, Overlords can be transported.
Upgrades
Unit
The following upgrades are purchased for each individual tank. Only one may be applied to any single tank at a time.
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Battle Bunker
When purchased, the Overlord was outfitted with a bunker that could hold 5 infantry units. Beware that the bunker may not protect its inhabitant from chemical attacks.
This costs $400 per tank.
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Gatling Cannon
When purchased, the Overlord was outfitted with a gatling cannon, effective against infantry and aircraft. Like with the base defense the gatling has stealth detection in a small range.
This costs $1200 per tank.
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Propaganda Tower
When purchased, the Overlord was outfitted with a small speaker tower, emboldening and healing nearby allies.
This costs $500 per tank.
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Base
The following upgrades are purchased at various buildings.
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When an Overlord Tank with the Nuclear Tanks upgrade was destroyed, the radiation no longer harmed allies.
Purchasable from Tsing Shi Tao's Propaganda Center for $2000.
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Increases effectiveness of any mounted Propaganda Towers by 25%.
Purchasable from all Propaganda Centers for $500.
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Increases damage by 25% and adds radiation damage. Automatically applied to Tsing Shi Tao's tanks.
Purchasable for China and Ta Hun Kwai at the Nuclear Missile Silo for $2500.
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Increased all Overlord Tanks' movement speed by 25%. Automatically applied to Tsing Shi Tao's tanks.
Purchasable for China and Ta Hun Kwai at the Nuclear Missile Silo for $2000.
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Counters
Jarmen Kell's skill at killing vehicle drivers makes the slow-moving Overlord particularly vulnerable and a favorite target-of-opportunity to the GLA. Rocket firing aircraft (F-22 Raptors, MiGs, Comanches, etc.) are recommended as counter, as the Overlord fares poorly against aircraft even when upgraded (although the bunker upgrade with five tank hunters somewhat compensates for this). General Granger's fleet of King Raptors can also make short work of them. Aurora bombers are also effective, as the slow-moving Overlord will not move out of the blast radius of the fuel-air bomb in time. Hijackers may also easily approach and capture the vehicle, especially if the Overlord is not upgraded. Terrorists and Bomb trucks are also quite effective counters, as the Overlord is unable to outrun them or gun them down quickly enough. A rogue nuke cannon with neutron shell would easily end an Overlord. EMP weapons can instantly paralyze them. Also, all three US generals have units (King Raptor, Aurora Alpha, Laser Crusader) that are fairly effective against the Overlord.
Because of these weaknesses, Overlord tanks should never be sent into a battle unescorted. It is strongly recommended to support them with artillery, anti-air, anti-infantry, sensor and air support units. One Overlord can be upgraded with speaker tower, improving the safety of the group.
Changelog
- Generals sneak peek patch 1.02: fixed stacking of speaker tower healing on Overlord tanks
- Generals patch 1.05: build time increased from 20 to 25 seconds
Trivia
- Other than the Emperor Overlord, the Overlord tank is the only vehicle that can crush other vehicles in Generals and Zero Hour.
Selected Quotes
| “ | Are you ready? - When emerging from the War Factory |
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| “ | This is the Overlord Tank. - When selected |
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| “ | It is time. - When selected |
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| “ | What do you need? - When selected |
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| “ | I am big. - When selected |
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| “ | Overlord is waiting. - When selected |
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| “ | Extra large. - When selected |
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| “ | Overlord moving. - When moving |
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| “ | Nothing in our way. - When moving |
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| “ | What is next? - When moving |
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| “ | In a moment. - When moving |
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| “ | I am in control. - When moving |
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| “ | This better be good. - When moving |
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| “ | It won't be long. - When moving |
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| “ | I will finish this. - When ordered to attack |
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| “ | I will take care of it. - When ordered to attack |
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| “ | I see. - When ordered to attack |
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| “ | They will beg for mercy. - When ordered to attack |
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| “ | This will be over, soon. - When ordered to attack |
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| “ | Is that all? - When ordered to attack |
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| “ | They are puny. - When ordered to attack |
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| “ | I will crush. - When ordered to run over |
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| “ | They are nothing. - When ordered to run over |
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| “ | Smooth it out. - When ordered to run over |
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| “ | Leave, now. - When unloading |
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| “ | Dismissed. - When unloading |
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| “ | Bunker is empty. - When unloading |
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| “ | Bunker will be ready soon. - When ordered to upgrade with Battle Bunker |
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| “ | Speaker tower will be ready soon. - When ordered to upgrade with Speaker Tower |
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| “ | Gatling cannon will be ready soon. - When ordered to upgrade with Gatling Cannon |
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| “ | Bunker is ready. - After upgraded with Battle Bunker |
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| “ | Speaker tower is ready. - After upgraded with Speaker Tower |
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| “ | Gatling cannon is ready. - After upgraded with Gatling Cannon |
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Gallery
Concept art
Overlord mock-ups in an early Generals screenshot
Overlord tanks and Emperor Overlord tank
See also
- Emperor Overlord tank, Ta Hun Kwai's improved variant
- Paladin tank
- Marauder tank
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