| Unit | Quotes | Gallery | Changelog |
| “ | Spin me round! | ” |
| —A Jackal Racer requires to receive speed boost |
The Jackal Racer is a fast infantry transport vehicle used by Foehn. It was created by Kanegawa Industries during the Third Great War.
Contents
Official description
The Jackal Racer is considered as one of the more important units in the Foehn arsenal, and there are several key factors that emphasize its position in the entire tech tree. First of all, while the Racer is fast on its own, its true speed can be achieved with its Spinblade-compatible windspin engines. Combined with an ability to levitate above the terrain, it becomes one of the faster units that can also cross water zones.
Moreover, the Jackal acts as an amphibious transport for Foehn infantry, which is a huge advantage over the other factions as only a War Factory is required for their construction. The passenger is capable of shooting from inside of the Jackal Racer, making it an ideal combat transport. Additionally, the unit's weapon, a crystal-amplified sonic wave, allows it to vaporize enemy infantry before they can even blink. The wave will damage every object it goes through, and can be fired as the Jackal moves.
The Jackal is not without its drawbacks, as it is a relatively expensive low-tech unit and its chassis is not very resistant to enemy fire. Regardless, they are very effective units for advanced hit'n'run tactics.[1]
Overview
The Jackal Racer is both Foehn's Tier 1 anti-infantry vehicle, and its main transport, thanks to its amphibious nature. Jackals possess two features that make it stand out from most of counterparts, namely its incredible speed and its open-topped nature.
Jackals are one of the fastest early game units, holding an un-boosted speed of 8. This pairs really well with its second feature, as units within the Jackal can fire out at enemy units; Knightframes can tear through infantry squads and aircraft, Lancers can take potshots and incoming tanks, etc. If that wasn't enough, when they are near a Spinblade, they gain a speed buff, making them outpace almost any ground unit. Used well, this can be used to drop surgical strikes on unprepared enemy forces, or to dump a Clairvoyant right on top of an unwalled refinery.
Despite its strengths, the Jackal is rather fragile, which can result in some nasty losses if too heavily relied on, especially since the unit itself is rather pricey compared to similar Tier 1 anti-infantry vehicles. When used to strike, it is advised to keep them away from anti-armor threats, especially vehicular ones. They only have basic passenger survivability, so using them to attack with valuable heroes may result in the loss of both, so handle those setups with particular care. As an extra precaution, be wary of Chinese Dragonflies, Russian Tesla Cruisers and any other source of EMP, as they can sink an unwary Jackal hovering over water.
AI behavior
Jackal Racers controlled by the AI have the following attack patterns:
All difficulties
- 2x targeting infantry
- This task force will only be constructed if a Cyberkernel is not present
- Jackal Racers already present in the battlefield are recruited to form this task force, so infantry composition will vary
- 4x targeting anything
- Jackal Racers already present in the battlefield are recruited to form this task force, so infantry composition will vary
- 4x targeting infantry
- This task force will only be constructed if a Cloud Piercer is not present
- Jackal Racers already present in the battlefield are recruited to form this task force, so infantry composition will vary
Medium/Hard
- 1x loaded with 1 Knightframe, Lancer, or Syncronin
- 1x loaded with 1 Engineer, then proceed to unload near a captured Tech Oil Derricks before targeting it
- 1x loaded with 1 Clairvoyant, then proceed to unload near an ore refinery before targeting it
- 1x loaded with 1 Huntress, then proceed to target infantry
- This task force may be accompanied by 1 additional Jackal Racer with the same passenger
- 2x targeting anything
- The AI will deploy a Spinblade on this task force
- 2x targeting anything, accompanied with 2 Raccoons or Hovracoons
- Jackal Racers already present in the battlefield are recruited to form this task force, so infantry composition will vary
2x targeting infantry, accompanied by 2 Shadrays
- This task force may be accompanied by 2 additional Shadrays
- Jackal Racers already present in the battlefield are recruited to form this task force, so infantry composition will vary
- 4x targeting infantry, accompanied by 2 Irritators
- Jackal Racers already present in the battlefield are recruited to form this task force, so infantry composition will vary
Hard
- 1x loaded with 1 Engineer, then proceed to unload near a neutral Tech Artillery Bunker before targeting it
- 1x loaded with a Clairvoyant, then proceed to unload near a radar structure, Field Bureau or Harbinger Tower before targeting it
- 1x loaded with 1 Zorbtrotter, then proceed to target infantry
- This task force may be accompanied by 1 additional Jackal Racer with the same passenger
Appearances
| “ | The transport has arrived. The Jackal has already proven to be a reliable escape unit. | ” |
| —Foehn intel during Operation: Nobody Home |
In the campaign Jackal Racers appear as prototypes bearing the Allied unit color scheme, which are only identified as Enemy Vehicle to opposing factions. They are notably used by the Foehn Revolt's important personnel.
Act One
Inactive prototype Jackal Racers in Think Different
- Several inactive prototype Jackal Racers appear in Think Different on the northern KI complex and in Eclipse on the initial Pacific Front outpost.
Act Two
- In Obsidian Sands, after Rashidi's Palace is destroyed, a prototype Jackal Racer carrying Rashidi himself can be seen leaving the flooded tunnel located to the south of the palace.
Origins
- At the end of Nobody Home, a prototype Jackal Racer picks up Yunru on the shore of Mangla Dam Lake.
- At the beginning of Kill the Messenger, a prototype Jackal Racer delivers a Huntress to seize control of a Chinese MCV. After the area around the Ironwing is secured, the prototype Jackal Racer from Nobody Home will deliver Yunru at the site of the player's original base. Both prototype Jackal Racers are fully functional and controllable by the player. From this mission, it can be inferred that the Jackal is the first Foehn unit that employs sonic weaponry.
- In Tainted Empire, once the Psychic Beacon controlling the northern Pacific Front outpost is neutralized, the player will take control of six prototype Jackal Racers in the said outpost.
- In The Great Beyond, the player starts in control of four prototype Jackal Racers, and more of them will be sent as the mission progresses.
- In The Remnant, the Jackal Racer can be built from the Allied War Factory.
Special Ops
- In the Epsilon Special Ops mission Split Seconds, enemy Jackal Racer prototypes appear in the ranks of the Pacific Front.
Assessment
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Trivia
- The Jackal Racer's body is technically a mobile turret, so it cannot cast a shadow. The same goes with the Pteranodon.
- Of all buildable Foehn units in Origins, the Jackal Racer is the last to be unlocked despite being the first Foehn unit to appear in the campaign.
External links
References
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Items in italics are heroes and epic units Items in bold are superweapons |
