Blitzkrieg

[Mr_Lee_ 0]

Following a chat on MSN between myself and Acerz, I only thought it right to write a topic in here on how you can emulate the amazing tactic that helped Germany to take most of Europe and Russia. 'Lightning war' or Blitzkrieg, is one of the most effective tactics ever used, and if employed right on ZH, it will win you a game. Each side has its pluses and minuses on how to perform a Blitzkrieg, its just finding the right balance. In this topic I'll go through each of them for you.

 

USA

 

In regards to a blitzkrieg, this really is a nobrainer. Humvees, Sentry Drones and Raptors are the way to go here. You build your humvees and put whatever infantry combinations you see adequate in them. While the infantry build, also build your sentry drones and 8 raptors. When the raptors are built, try and get the countermeasures and better damage on their rockets. Build several chinooks and also fill them with infatry as you see fit. Manouver your way to near your enemy losing as few units as possible. While moving them, build the sentry gun and the TOW missile upgrades so they'll be done for your attack.

 

Using the raptors, strike out any frontline defense of the enemy, and any heavy tanks in the base. At this point, you order your sentry drones and humvees to attack any buildings they need to. Following this, move your chinooks up the enemies flanks and unload the waiting infantry. Also, keep harassing the enemies tanks/defenses/dozers with Raptors. This should rip the enemy to pieces, and when you see them try and escape via the mandatory second baseway entrance, you use your raptors once more. The infatry and the humvee/sentry drone combo should kill off enemy buildings and infantry in no time.

 

A smart player would have used the time and the money built up while attacking to bring in some superior armour (Paladins preferably) and support (Commanches, Tomahawks). Your enemy will probably not have enough fight in them to resist the humvees, but if they do, the armour will win the day for you.

 

China

 

In my opinion, the chinese force has the most lethal early game attacks in the game. Blitzkrieg with the chinese is much more simple than the USA.

 

Build gattling and dragon tanks (I normally build 5 gats and 3 dragons) and an airfield filled with Migs. While you move your tanks, make some upgrades (Mig Armour, Black Napalm and the Gattling boost) Charge the enemy frontline with the tanks, while having the MiGs knock out defenses. Them use the tanks to mop up the enemy, and buy frenzy when you have the Generals points. Though some say this is not any good, the increased fire and damage granted by Frenzy will make all the difference.

 

While the tanks/Migs attack the front line. Have a troop crawler or two come in from the side entrance to the base and have the red guard shoot/capture the enemy buildings. This will catch most people off guard who don't expect a 2 pronged attack like this.

 

GLA

 

The fragile nature of the GLA makes a Blitzkrieg seem like a useless option because they have no planes to help take out defenses. Well, in Generals, a Blitzkrieg is really not an option for the GLA, but in ZH, its priceless. This line of thought shouldn't put you off trying a blitzkrieg against anyone. I've found that the GLA are actually the best people for pulling off a Blitzkrieg, even moreso than China.

 

Scorpion tanks are the fastest basic tank in ZH/Generals. After building several scorpions, focus your money on bikes. Build a group as large as possible and balance out the infatry between rocket troops and rebels. Also load a single worker on a bike. Move the scorpions towards trhe enemy and build the Rocket upgrade for them. Harrying the enemies frontline with these will mean your bikes go un-noticed. Throw them over a cliff, clear and hold a small piece of the enemies base while still harrying their frontline with Scorpions. Once you are sure the area around your bikes is secure, unload the worker and build a tunnel network. At this point you'll be able to start pouring forces into the rear of the enemies base, meaning they'll have to trundle from thier frontline, dealing with Scorpions, to their rear to deal with whatever nasties you send down the tunnel. The resulting confusion will cost the enemy his base and win you the game.

 

 

I cannot emphasize how vital micromanagement or a very quick hand is required to pull off this strategy, especially with the USA/China and their airforces. This strategy was designed so it would be able to work at many point in the battle against an enemy of any size. I've not gone into ZH Generals in this because with each of them a new set of opportunitys involving the Blitzkrieg become available.

I've also not mentioned the ways of countering a Blitzkrieg, because theres not that many of them really. Try and hold your ground and not get encirlced is the obvious one. The other one would have to be, try and be quicker than your enemy. This is easier said than done and it takes a wry general to do either.

 

I know some will criticise my thinking in this, but ultimately, its worked for me and I implore you to prove me wrong. I'll also not take any notice of 'but what if i spawn xx number of rocket troops and put them at the rear of my base' or something equally dumb. This stategy is about manouverability and suprise. When you have both of them, you hold the keys to victory in your hands and its upto the opposition to try and second guess your intentions. I've yet to meet a human player whos been able to effectivly defend against a Blitzkrieg.

 

So there you have it, Generals Blitzkriegs, and how to do them. A good way of practising them is obviously Skirmish, or if you're feeling like more a challenge, try and do this against the ZH generals.

 

NB - Where I've mentioned ZH specific units (like sentry drones) simply replace them qwith more humvees or whatever unit is closest to taking their role.

[Acerz492 1]

Four MiGs can take out a single Patriot...you should know that Z. Especially early-game. Patriots are just too slow to handle MiGs by themselves. Hence the reason as to why it's included in this discussion about Blitzkrieg! MiGs pwn early game, and they're especially devesatating if used correctly.