Time for Cartel to have the place of honor! Today we will have a look at one of its best asset: the Spectre tank.
Taking advantage of their connections within the military-industrial complex all around the world, Cartel leaders have always kept an eye on groundbreaking new military technologies. And when one was deemed innovative enough, and likely to be useful to the Cartel, they stopped at nothing to acquire it: blackmail, murder, industrial espionage …
Since the 60’s, they have gotten hold on several major military projects, some of them officially branded as failures after Cartel operatives sabotaged them. That way, Cartel leaders could push target companies into bankruptcy and thereafter recover or destroy blueprints & patents, making sure that some technologies, especially stealth ones, remained their monopoly.
The Spectre stealth tank is the result of decades of such policy. It combines the framework and weaponry (140mm main gun!) of the never produced Swedish Strv-2000 super tank, with stealth tech & advanced optronics from the sabotaged PL-01 Polish prototype.
In Act of Aggression, thanks to its optical camouflage, the Spectre can close on the enemy to deliver a well aimed shot on its unsuspecting target with its powerful 140mm gun. Yet, doing so will temporarily remove its camouflage, leaving it vulnerable to enemy fire. Although packing more punch than the US Army’s Abrams or Chimera’s Terminator, the Spectre is also the least armored of all three “main battle tanks”. Hence it is worth mentioning that “hit & run” is the strategy suiting it best ….
The Spectre can be equipped with an additional 40mm autocannon. That powerful anti-aircraft gun will enable it to efficiently engage helicopters (but not planes), but also add its firepower to that of the main gun against ground targets. With improved optronics, the Spectre will also be able to spot and engage enemy from further away.
But the more useful upgrade available to the Spectre is the Advanced Optical Camouflage. Unlike the original version, this improvement enables the stealth tank to remain invisible even when it opens fire. In that configuration, only dedicated recon units with stealth detection system may then spot them.
We will be back next week with another “Unit of the Day” …
Nick Chen
June 5, 2015 at 12:56 pmVery awesome sounding weapon. And great job Eugen with developing a credible and immersive explanation for why the Cartel has some weapons that really belong in real life to other countries. WHat would make the game even MORE potentially immersive and mind blowing would be for some Cartel missions to actually involve units sabotaging the targeted weapon technologies that they plan to use in the future. This would lead to a backstory that’s integrated into the game and has real gameplay implications as the success or failure could lead the Cartel to have this weapon as a future tech upgrade or available unit!
Think about it Eugen, would be cool to see in a DLC!
QShadow
June 5, 2015 at 3:46 pmBy playing the main campain you unlock special Cartel missions telling some of the story from their side, so your suggestion is basicly alredy ingame.
Nick Chen
June 5, 2015 at 12:58 pmAlso expanding on the idea, if the US or Chimera could have some intel briefing where they’re told that the Cartel is looking to sabotage this weapon or steal it, then the US/Chimera could have a counter-raid mission and then that weapon would stay with the faction.
Sort of like an evolving RTS-MMO. Perhaps a bit too ambitious, but something to think about? =)
QShadow
June 5, 2015 at 3:48 pmOkay ignore the first post, it seems you alredy know that there will be Cartel mission, but your other suggestion wont make into the game. Its too far off the aim Eugen hass et for this game.
Bob
June 5, 2015 at 5:54 pmNothing too new. Stealth units are as common as any other unit nowadays. I would like to see morphed units. I would also like to see transformable units.
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Niemehr
June 6, 2015 at 3:56 pmI am afraid a lot of players playing against cartell will be very frustrated if they are not able to attack enemy tanks because of this stealth upgrade. To let them be stealth without shooting sounds reasonable but even inivisible when they shoot? Sounds like a very bad and overpowered idea.
TerraFox
June 7, 2015 at 12:16 pmDescription said spectre using 140mm as main gun but from gameplay video I saw his projectile leave “Ring” effect on fire path make me wonder that 140MM is rail gun or something? and that stealth upgrade look OP IMO.