EMP Patriot system

EMP Patriot System
Structure
Faction	Alexis Alexander
Base building	Patriot missile system
Armament	4x AT/AA EMP Patriot missiles
Properties
Hit points	1000
Armor type	Base Defense
Production
Cost	$900
Build time	0:25
Produced by	American construction dozer
Requires	Cold fusion reactor
Hot key	M
Combat
Ground attack	15 (Explosion)
Air attack	30 (Explosion)
Cooldown	100 (per missile) 2000 (per salvo)
Attack range	275 (vs. ground) 400 (vs. air)
Sight range	360
Function
Power	-3
Abilities	Disables vehicles and buildings Detects stealth

The EMP Patriot system was a variant of the Patriot missile system developed by General Alexis Alexander.

Game Structure

EMP Patriot Systems are no different from their normal equivalents, being highly effective against enemy vehicles but can't do much against infantry. However, what sets them aside is this variant's ability to stun enemy vehicles on hit. Ground targets are left vulnerable as they remain immobilized, whereas anything that flies are effectively destroyed on hit. Exceptions include infantry and aircraft summoned by General's Powers.

Counters

Unfortunately, EMP Patriot batteries had the same need for power as the standard Patriot missile system (though due to General Alexis Alexander's special power plants, this was less of a problem). The EMP Patriot's stun effect indiscriminately targets all vehicles caught in its AOE, which can cause problems in the rare case if a missile explodes near a friendly unit. It also has trouble targeting infantry on the move.

In the absence of long range fire support or an air force, USA must use Avengers to destroy incoming missiles, or a Microwave tank to quickly shut it down before it causes too much damage. The Auroras' guaranteed alpha strikes are likewise useful since the EMP Patriot has no means of preventing one from attacking unless its splash damage catches the aircraft while attacking something else. General Granger's aircraft can be just as effective, since almost all of them come with countermeasures that dismiss most missiles. The Chinese can rely on their ECM tanks to divert them, although such missiles are still dangerous to units they hit by chance. Its weakness against infantry also cannot be dismissed, and can be exploited specifically by the GLA's Angry Mobs, or Saboteurs, who can shut it off indirectly for 30 seconds if they get in a power-generating structure.

Changelog

• Zero Hour patch 1.01:
  • fixed a bug which caused some planes not to be affected by the EMP Patriot
  • no longer damages own strucutures
• Zero Hour patch 1.03:
  • now spawns Rangers when destroyed
  • fixed related unfinished building exploit

Trivia

• The EMP Patriot System was to additionally emitting a damaging aura not unlike Microwave Tanks, which would have greatly improved its matchups against infantry at close range. The feature was presumably cut for balancing reasons.

See also

• Laser Defense Turret
• Gatling cannon
• Toxin network