[2-5-11] Eraser

Learn how to use the Eraser unit in Total Annihilation to cloak your forces and gain a tactical advantage. Discover strategies for both single-player and multiplayer.

Hey there! Let's talk about the Eraser unit in Total Annihilation. This little guy is all about stealth, and if you use it right, it can seriously mess with your opponents' heads. It's not always obvious how to get the most out of it, especially against the AI, but against human players? It's a game-changer.

What it does: The Eraser's main job is to make your units invisible to enemy radar. Think of it like a personal cloaking device for your army. Anything within its radius gets hidden, making it super hard for the enemy to know what you're up to.

Single-Player vs. Multiplayer: The AI in Total Annihilation can sometimes feel like it already knows where you are, so the Eraser might not seem as impactful in single-player campaigns. But when you're up against another person, this unit shines. They can't rely on radar to scout or track your movements, giving you a huge advantage.

Tactical Uses:

• Base Defense: Scatter a few Erasers around your base. This way, none of your buildings will show up on the enemy's radar, making it tough for them to plan an attack or target key structures.
• Accompanying Ground Units: Send Erasers along with your ground troops. They'll keep your squads hidden until you're ready to strike, allowing for surprise attacks.
• Air Unit Stealth: Load an Eraser onto an Atlas air transport. This keeps your air units hidden while they're on the move, perfect for surprise bombing runs or troop deployments.
• 'Hit Squads' with PeeWees: A popular tactic is to pair Erasers with PeeWee units. The PeeWees can engage, and the enemy won't see them coming until it's too late.
• The Bermuda Triangle Tactic: This is a really cool one! Pair an Eraser with a Spider unit. When the Spider stuns an enemy, send in two Atlases, one carrying an Eraser. This keeps your Atlases hidden as they pick up the stunned unit and bring it back to your base for capture. It's like making enemies disappear into thin air!
• Commander Stealth: If you're feeling brave, you can cloak your Commander and bring them close to the enemy's defenses with a jammer nearby (but out of sight). Position your Commander at the edge of the jammer's field, and you might be able to scout their base without being detected. Just keep a close eye on your energy levels for the Commander, jammer, and yourself!

Key Takeaway: The Eraser is all about surprise and deception. Use it to mask your movements, set up ambushes, and make your enemy guess what you're planning. It might take a little practice, but mastering the Eraser will definitely give you an edge in your Total Annihilation battles.