The bio reactor is Yuri's power supplying structure during in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2: Yuri's Revenge.
Official description[]
| “ | The Bio Reactor is Yuri’s main power source. In times of energy shortage infantry units can be placed inside a Bio Reactor. Each one will significantly increase the size of the power output. The infantry can be deployed from the Bio Reactor at any time, and are released if the Bio Reactor is destroyed. - Yuri's Revenge manual(src) |
” |
Game structure[]
While it does produce the same amount of power as a Soviet Tesla reactor by conventional means, its most notable function is that it can use up to 5 infantry units as an additional power source. The infantryman is subdued with tranquilizers while attached to the machine. This is a reversible function, as the infantrymen held within a bio reactor can be ordered to exit it unharmed just as if they had been in a standard garrisonable structure.
Thus, if one of Yuri's psychic units controls an enemy infantry unit, it can be sent to the reactor for processing. This frees the psychics' minds, as they no longer need to maintain control of the infantry unit. If the reactor is destroyed or is ordered to "empty" itself, the units are released, but those which were previously mind-controlled will be returned to their original owners.
It is slightly less durable than a Tesla reactor and occupies the same (smaller) footprint as an Allied power plant.
AI behavior[]
The AI will often send 3 Initiates to occupy the Bio Reactors. Occasionally, it sends mind controlled infantry to the Bio Reactor.
On normal circumstances after a unit is mind controlled, this has a 5% chance of happening (for reference, the other AI decisions in the same circumstance are as follows: there is a 75% chance the unit is added to AI squads, 5% it is sent to a Grinder, and 15% it will mindlessly attack the enemy, usually the former owner).
This changes when the mind controlled unit in question is at red health (or 25% health). The probability increases from 5% to 40% (5% it is added to AI squads, 40% it is sent to a Grinder, and 5% it will mindlessly attack the enemy).
The probability is at maximum when the AI's base is on low power (from 5% to 75%). For other AI decisions, these are as follows: 15% it is added to AI squads, and 5% it is sent to a Grinder, and 5% it will mindlessly attack the enemy).
Gallery[]
Early concept art
Early concept art
Early concept art
Near-final concept art
Final concept art
Bio reactors powering the Antarctican psychic dominator
Active animation when empty
Active animation when garrisoned
Buildup animation
In a snow theater
Garrisoned bio reactor in a snow theater
Cameos[]
| English | French | German | Korean | Chinese |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Trivia[]
- The idea of a biological reactor may be based on power plants from the Matrix series.
- If mind-controlled infantry from a defeated enemy emerge from a bio reactor, the infantry will be neutral-coloured (white) and attack any nearby units, regardless of allegiance.
- Strangely, if any infantry units mind-controlled by the psychic dominator emerge from a bio reactor, the infantry will no longer have the purple 'aura' above their head. This is likely an engine bug.
See also[]
- Power plant, Allied counterpart
- Tesla reactor & Nuclear reactor, Soviet counterpart
- Tech civilian power plant
 Yuri Third World War Arsenal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
