[11-2] Normal Strategies

Learn how to build an impenetrable defense and counter ARM attacks in Total Annihilation. Discover the power of skirmishers and strategic unit placement for victory.

Hey there! So you're diving into Total Annihilation and want to get a handle on how to play smart, right? This section is all about setting up solid defenses and understanding how to counter the enemy, especially when you're playing as the Core faction. We'll cover how to build a line that can withstand even the toughest assaults and why certain units are key to keeping your base safe.

The Challenge with ARM Attacks:

When you're playing as the Core and facing off against the ARM, especially in the later missions, you'll find that a simple defensive line might not cut it. The ARM has units like Fido bots and long-range missile launchers that can really put a dent in your defenses. They can target your missile towers from afar, creating breaches that their super heavy tanks can exploit. A big part of the problem is that your own defensive structures, while powerful, won't automatically engage targets that are outside their visual range. This means you need a way to extend that range and draw enemy fire effectively.

Building Your Core Defense:

A solid defensive setup often involves a mix of units. I like to start with a line of Pulverizer missile towers. They have a great rate of fire and are excellent at taking down air threats. To back them up, adding a couple of Punisher plasma gun turrets gives you that crucial ability to hit enemies from a distance. Don't forget to include some mobile artillery units too; they offer good range and serious damage potential.

The Skirmisher Advantage:

This is where the real trick comes in, and it's all about using skirmishers effectively. The ARM can sometimes bypass your main defenses by sending in smaller, faster units like PeeWees to get close, then launching a long-range bombardment. To counter this, I recommend having your KBot factory constantly produce AK and Storm bots. These are your skirmishers. Position them in front of your main defensive line, using any cover available. This does two important things:

• Extended Vision: Your skirmishers, especially the AKs, have excellent vision. By placing them forward, you significantly extend the range at which your main defenses can spot and engage enemies.
• Drawing Fire: The AI-controlled enemy forces will typically target these forward skirmishers first. This gives your Pulverizers, Punishers, and artillery the time they need to engage and destroy the main threat before it even gets close enough to damage your core defenses.

Even if a human opponent might ignore your skirmishers, you still gain that vital extended visual range, and your defenses will engage at their maximum effective distance. By keeping a steady stream of skirmishers on the front lines, you can usually keep your main defensive line untouched. This frees you up to focus on building your own attack forces without the constant stress of repairing your base.