Countdown to Apocalypse is the eighth mission of the Operation Eclipse campaign in Act of Aggression.[1]
Background[]
Schaefer reports to Lofquist and reveals his current knowledge regarding the Cartel's superweapon. Based on the sheer scale of the bombardment, Schaefer speculates it would definitely require a resupply. He knows only three locations where doing so is feasible - Cape Canaveral, Kourou, and Baikonur. Lofquist adds the former two are under surveillance, which narrows down to Baikonur. Satellite images requested by Schaefer indicate an imminent launch, so Lofquist orders him to rally his forces and put a stop to it. Schaefer points out his resources at hand are limited, and assets absent during the attack still need time to regroup with him. With no other feasible options available, Lofquist uses her connections to request Russian military assistance and supplement Schaefer's assault.
Objectives[]
Primary[]
- Secure the deployment zone
- Destroy the western radar
- Destroy the eastern radar
- Don't lose your buildings
- Destroy the last enemy building that remains in the central zone
- Destroy the Cosmodrome's main HQ before take-off (35:00)
Secondary[]
- Keep at least 2 Akulas and 7 Black Eagles
- Destroy the eastern secondary base
- Destroy the western secondary base
Walkthrough[]
The game starts off with 3 Akula attack helicopters and 10 Black Eagle main battle tanks. Until the initial Cartel forces are wiped out, no units can be produced to compensate for any losses.
The Black Eagles should stay put. Maneuver the Akulas to take out some of the Artillery Turrets. When enemy infantry and Vextras approach, pull back the Akulas and let the Black Eagles kill them off. After a few waves there should be no resistance, and Akulas can be used to freely pick off remaining Artillery Turrets.
Once all enemy presence has been cleared, four Outposts and a fully upgraded Sentinel Turret will be provided. One of them has been converted into a Construction Outpost, so upgrade the remaining three into Repair Outposts, as more enemy units will eventually arrive. Of particular note are the SU-25s, as they can engage ground units from extreme range and are incredibly durable. A SPEAR Vehicle Bay should be built immediately for Pantsirs, and the Russian units can be set aside to avoid losses. A well-placed Barracks should be able to support a number of Prisons for POW income. Don't forget to upgrade the Pantsirs with missiles as well.
The timer will eventually start if the two Air Control Centers aren't taken out, but it's still advisable to fill all Prisons. Build another SPEAR Vehicle Bay, and assign it to a hotkey as well so they can be quickly accessed. A force of Pantsirs and Pumas should suffice, backed by FELINs (to draw fire from Railgun Turrets) and Pantsirs (to deal with SU-25s).
One HQ will be established with the Air Control Centers down, and the next objective is to stop the launch. Build two Refineries to cover all resource fields (build as many Crushers as possible, and upgrade both with Full Extraction Protocol), and a Repair Outpost nearby for support, as enemy vehicles will harass the base frequently. Eventually, construct a third SPEAR Vehicle Bay and research SWORD Protocol. This in turn gives access to Rhinos and their upgrades, which can be used to pummel enemy buildings from afar. A Support Bay is recommended for Ninja helicopters, which can provide line-of-sight for Rhinos and other units. Puma's Spike-LR Missiles and fully upgraded Tigres are helpful because Terminators must be used conservatively, as their production can eat into aluminum stocks.
With groups of Rhinos and other units spotting for them (whether through a strike force or stealth units), it's only a matter of time until all the bases fall. Although taking out the secondary bases aren't necessary, doing so can significantly alleviate pressure. The Eastern and Western Bases are weak to Ground and Air units respectively, but be wary of enemy Berkuts. Don't bother capturing them, as there simply isn't enough time to exploit the Cartel's arsenal. With them out of the way, direct all fire at the main HQ, and hopefully the Rhinos will destroy it long before launch.
Related achievements[]
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Sputnik Complete Countdown to Apocalypse
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Soviet supreme Finish the mission with at least 2 Akulas and 7 Black Eagles intact.
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Ground Control Destroy both secondary bases.
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Speedy Gonzales Destroy the Cosmodrone Main HQ with more than 10 minutes to spare.
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Trivia[]
- The M109 Howitzer makes a brief appearance at the end of the mission's cinematic, despite not being featured as a playable unit.
References[]
- ↑ Eugen Systems, Act of Aggression. Operation Eclipse mission 8: "Countdown to Apocalypse".