Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour/Nuke

General Tsing Shi Tao works best when using his arsenal of nuclear tactics. He shows what a general with sheer power can do to armies in a war zone.

Tao is considered the most balanced general in the game, since his army is only slightly disadvantaged and he retains full access to the Chinese arsenal.

Army Modifications

• Overlords and Battlemasters start with Uranium Shells and Nuclear Tank upgrades. Both irradiate their shells' impact point.
• Nuke Cannon does not require a Promotion Point to unlock
• Red Guard/Tank Hunter costs more ($300->$350)
• Black Lotus costs more ($1500->$1600)
• Listening Outpost cost increased.
• Helix costs more ($1500->$1750)
  • Helix' Napalm Bomb upgrades are replaced with Nuke Bombs, which no longer start firestorms and instead deal heavy direct damage, leaving radioactive fallout in its wake.
• Nuclear Missile costs less ($5000->$4500)
• MiG costs more ($1200->$1400)
  • MiG missiles are more damaging and leave behind radioactive fallout, but can no longer start firestorms.
• Emergency Repair level 1 available at 1 star.

Army Upgrades

• Isotope Stability - Available at the Propaganda Center, Overlords and Battlemasters no longer explode violently when destroyed.

• Tactical Nuke MiG - Available at the Nuclear Missile, significantly increases MiG missile damage.

Army Structure

• Advanced Nuclear Reactor - Costs more ($1000->$1200), generates significantly more power (10->18).

General Ability

• * Nuke Bomber - Replaces the Carpet Bombing Ability as a 3 Star General Ability. The Nuke Bomber works identically to the Carpet Bomber, but drops tactical nuclear charges that irradiate their impact point and deal heavy damage.

Strategies

Offense: Tao's Overlords and Battlemasters are top tier tanks, as they come with their respective Nuclear upgrades without having to construct the Nuclear Missile. They can move quickly to hunt down enemy ground units and deal heavy damage, while their radioactive shells significantly improve their matchups against infantry. Once Isotope Stability has been purchased, their only weakness is aircraft.

Defense: Gatling Cannons & Bunkers could be useful for early-game defense, but the opportunity cost is far larger compared to his Battlemasters and Overlords.