Barracuda

Barracuda
Unit
Faction	Allied Nations
Role	Anti-structure
Armament	"Venus" missiles (2x)
Tier	3
Properties
Hit points	350
Armor type	Light Aircraft
Production
Cost	$2000
Estimated build time	1:20
Built at	Air Force Command Headquarters
Requires	Tech Center
Combat
Range	8
Function
Notes	Self-repair Invisible on radar

“	No one expects the Barracuda.	”
	—A Barracuda pilot before dropping missiles

The Barracuda is an advanced bomber used by the Allies armed with a pair of missiles to take down structures with ease.

Description

When an enemy installation is too well defended to be assaulted directly, the Barracuda steps in. Though not as quick as a regular jet, this bomber is a powerful tool for the precise removal of hardened targets and structures. Equipped with advanced stealth technology, the Barracuda is completely invisible on radar, swooping in and annihilating enemy buildings before the opponent can react. However, the paper thin armor and high cost of this unit make it something you don't want to be careless with.

Overview

The Barracuda is the Allies' main Tier 3 heavy anti-structure aircraft. Equipped with dual "Venus" heavy missiles, the Barracuda is the ultimate structure killer in the Allied air force. Two Barracudas are powerful enough to flatten anti-air defenses, whereas in a group of 4, they can easily destroy most structures in one fell swoop (especially technology expanders like the Pandora Hub). Besides its strength, the Barracuda also boasts high speed and invisibility to enemy radar, making them an unexpected game changer in favor of the Allies when commanded properly.

Ideally, the Barracuda should be used for surgical strikes on the enemy base, targeting their most important structures (for instance, their War Factories) where conventional Allied forces could not reach.

Such power and accuracy comes at a price. At $2000, the Barracuda is the most expensive jet in the game (par with two other stolen tech planes), and requires a Tech Center to be produced. As a feared airborne predator, the Barracuda still needs protection due to its paper thin armor. Fortunately, an Allied commander may call in a Black Widow support aircraft to suppress hostile AA firepower while the bomber wings approach.

Appearances

• The blueprints of the Barracuda are the targets in Stone Cold Crazy. They have been stolen by PsiCorps and are being carried away in ten Kamaz trucks, all of which must be intercepted and destroyed.
• At the end of Hysteria, once the Paradox Engine activates the Time Freeze, a wing of Barracudas make their debut on the battlefield, utterly destroying all Epsilon forces in the area.
• The Barracuda becomes a buildable unit in Stormbringer.

Assessment

Pros	Cons
Very effective against structures. A squadron of 4 Barracudas can destroy most buildings in a single bombing run. Invisible on radar.	Very expensive ($2000). Not the fastest planes in the game. Lightly armored and vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire. Mediocre against infantry and armored vehicles. Only available late in the game, after building a Tech Center.

Quotes

The Barracuda is voiced by Gabriel Wolf.

When selected

• Barracuda.
• Where do you need these?
• Excellence in all we do.
• Wrath from the skies.
• Allied pride.
• The only predator you need.

When ordered to move

• We gotta be sssssneaky.
• Whisper game.
• As quiet as possible.
• This is only the beginning.
• Under wraps.
• Silence is the best medicine.

When ordered to attack

• No one expects the Barracuda.
• A surprise visit.
• Don't mind me.
• That one's rubble.
• Bombs away.
• Let's get the drop on them.

Gallery

BetaBarracudaCameo.png

Barracuda cameo prior to version 3.0 release

Trivia

• The Barracuda bears resemblances to the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber used by the U.S. Air Force.