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Five tips for getting stuck into Command & Conquer™ Remastered Collection
Whether you're into Mammoth Tanks or Tesla Calls, read our tips before you take a trip back in time
Command & Conquer is back! If you’ve been missing the sight of Mammoth tanks rolling over the hills and convoys of ore trucks hustling back and forth then get ready to return to the warzone. Fully remastered in 4K with all the 90’s gameplay, the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection is bringing those memories back and looking better than ever. If you’re new to the series, or a returning player who needs a refresher on how to streamline your build orders, this guide should get you up to speed and running troops over with tanks in no time.
Cash is king
It doesn't matter what is destroyed, as long as you have the cash
© EA
Your economy is your most potent weapon. You can lose every engagement you get into, but if you have more funds than your opponents you can replenish and attack with ease. Getting ore processors as fast as possible will get the ore trucks (and cash) flowing early. You can build ore silos to increase your capacity but using those resources is critical. If you keep your resource float low, then you will ensure that your forces and base are expanding as they should. As the ore deposits begin to deplete your ore trucks will begin to search further out for resources. If you build a supply depot you unlock MCV production, allowing you to set up outposts to reduce the time between harvest and drop off. Always make sure your trucks have guards because if you lose access to resources you will only have your stockpiles to keep you going. Keep the funds coming in by any means necessary.
Power is Power
No power, and your little laser-beam tower won't be zapping anyone
© EA
After you have income, you need to make sure you meet your power needs. Every production building and defensive structure requires power. You get this from power plants and advanced power plants. Try to keep them in a safe position, as losing these will halt any production you have queued, as well as disabling a lot of your defensive structures. When you are looking at your power capacity, always ensure to be a few buildings ahead of where you need to be. The last thing you want is to lose your ability to produce units because an offshore missile sub knocked out one power plant a little too close to the coast.
Infantry Shminfantry
Infantry are little more than cannon fodder in battles
© EA
While it can seem like a good idea to have a large swarm of infantry moving across the field to help guard your expansions, it is always worth remembering that enemy armour can instantly remove an infantry blob by driving over them. This isn’t to say that infantry is useless, but always keep your AT soldiers ready to lay down heavy fire on approaching armour. If you can, get your own armour to form a defensive line and keep your units free from a track print across the torso. A good composition of infantry and armour can easily outmatch any massed armour your opponents will throw out. Always be aware of ordnance like missile trucks, or submarines as these deal area of effect damage and will remove infantry in seconds. Make sure to scout your opponents build orders and composition if you are thinking of using foot soldiers, and ensure you manoeuvre around high threats. In general, infantry are not worth investing in too heavily. They are easily killed and are only necessary if your opponent is using a lot of air. Always scout to see this coming!
Armoured Offensive
Tanks are costly, but they'll be your real workhorse on the field
© EA
Using armour is key to victory in Command & Conquer. They are some of the most resilient and consistent units in the game and can plough through infantry. If you have access to the Mammoth tanks, then they are even more powerful and can create a frightening perimeter of doom around your opponents. The main drawbacks to armoured units are their movement and their cost. If you ensure that your ore extractors are always protected, then keeping your economy healthy enough to support a mass tank offensive isn’t too tricky. As far as mobility, always scout out enemy positions with a faster-moving vehicle like a helicopter or scout car to work out where you need your heavy platforms to be. Tanks will dominate any land focused map so ensure you can field as many as possible to overwhelm your opponent with ease.
Lord of the seas
These submarines could be the key to the Soviet defence
© EA
No matter how much land you're fighting over, it's worth taking the battle on to the water. Make sure to build a couple of naval yards to pump out your aquatic units as quickly as possible. Always be on the prowl to catch out submarines as these can deal devastating damage in a short amount of time if they make it to your coast. Coastal defences such as turrets can help give you an early warning on enemy attacks, but they will not be enough to hold back a full offensive. Using air units can help you locate enemy fleets and intercept them before they make it to your base.
After a good engagement always push across to your enemy’s coast and bombard as much as you can before they can muster a new fleet to contest you. If you have access to submarines, then use them to harass your opponent’s production and unguarded units constantly. A single missile from a rocket submarine can wipe out a large group of infantry, as well as deal huge damage to buildings. Knocking out your opponent's power plants will reduce their ability to build units and razing naval yards will prevent them contesting your dominance of the sea, allowing you to easily expand your economy and destroy the enemy MCV with overwhelming firepower.
If you follow these tips then you should have no trouble getting a good understanding of the Command & Conquer gameplay within your first few games, and quickly find yourself able to take on opponents with complete understanding of how to build and fight to gain an advantage. Good luck out there commander!
