|
General information about strategy
and tactics.
First of all, let us define terms.
Strategy answers the question "What do I do?".
Tactics answers the question "How do I do it?".
In other words, tactics is the way of carrying out strategy.
Abbreviations list:
AA - anti-aircraft unit or anti-aircraft defense structure.
AT - anti-tank unit.
TG - tactical group.
AI - artificial intelligence (the one which plays against you in Skirmish mode).
It is complex to single out one strategy for all cases and all generals in Contra. There is no such
thing. Each general has a unique set of strategies and tactics suitable for different situations.
But first of all, one need understand a unique feature of Contra. It is the rank system. All units,
buildings and upgrades are divided into 3 classes: early, middle and late technologies. Early technologies
are available from the start. Middle technologies are unlocked automatically after you reach rank 3. Late
technologies are unlocked after you reach rank 5.
Thus, experience becomes a critical resource. You must protect your units to prevent the enemy from gaining
experience and ranks while you kill more enemies to rank up faster. The one who gains 3rd rank first has a
strong advantage as a Rank 3 army is significantly more powerful than a Rank 1. Like wise, Rank 5 is a
substantial advantage. The 5th rank gives access to super weapons and super units which can level bases alone.
Some common tactics and strategies are listed below. But it is not a full list. You can always think up strategies
and tactics of your own.
- Creator
Tips:
Tip 1. Don't spend your money to buy mines around buildings or building security systems without necessity.
Tip 2. Don't try to attack strong enemy forces with single units. Gather at least small group before attack.
- Ilya123
Tip 3. Many new players like to use shapeless heaps of tanks or other units and don't
care of losses. It is bad idea for Contra. Each lost unit gives experience to
your enemy. Enemy gains next rank faster. Next rank unlocks new technologies for
him and allows to produce more powerful units. Spare your units, use them
carefuly, don't allow enemy to get experience.
Tip 4. If you need to protect your base from stealth units, there can be 2 ways: to
build defense line suppied with scouts or to build mines around.
- Creator
Tip 5. Defense structures are quite powerful in normal ZH but not in Contra. So, you
need combat units to support your defenses. Defense structures are vulnerable
to artillery. Hence, you should use helicopters, planes or another
couner-artillery measures. Moreover, defenses don't detect all types of
stealth units (the most of them detect stealth aircrafts only). So, you need to
use Radar Vans, Listening Outposts or Sentry Drones.
Tip 6. Scouting is quite important. It helps determine which tactic should be used.
Put scouts in front of your defenses. They will warn you about enemy attack
in time. Move scouts in front of your attack force. They will warn you about
danger. Don't forget that many scouts detect different types of stealth units.
Detection capabilities are explained in unit descriptions. Read them attentively
and use scouts properly.
Tip 7. When you play in a team against Stealth general, it can be useful to mark his
key structures with beacons. Both you and your teammates will see these beacons.
It will allow to coordinate your attack.
- Casojin
Strategy and tactics.
For all generals:
Attack basics.
Base building basics.
"Suicide" tactics.
"One for everybody" team play strategy.
"General Janus" team play strategy.
"Mirror" counterstrategy.
Urban battle.
For USA generals:
Air Force general strategy and tactics tips.
Methods of controlling aviation.
"Blitzkrieg" strategy.
"Cavalry" tactics.
"Drying out" strategy.
"Force" tactics.
"Artful Chinook" tactics.
"Lance" tactics.
Laser general defense tips.
"Long Arms" strategy.
"Siege" strategy.
"Destroy from within" strategy.
"Aurora Shield" team play tactics.
For China generals:
"Aggressive defense" strategy.
"Cat's Claw" defensive strategy.
"Dragon Rush" strategy.
"Task Force" strategy.
"Red Guard Rush" strategy.
Tactics of using Troop Crawlers.
For GLA generals:
"Demolisher Rush" strategy.
"Intricate trap" defensive tactics.
"Digger" strategy.
"Metamorphosis" strategy.
"Impudent Worker" strategy.
Classic GLA rush.
Explosive stream.
|
|
