Scud Launcher

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Scud Launcher
Unit
Faction	Russia
Role	Siege
Armament	Scud rocket
Tier	3
Tech level	8
Properties
Hit points	360
Armor type	Medium
Speed	4
Turn rate	5
Sight radius	6
Production
Cost	$1400
Estimated build time	0:50
Built at	Soviet War Factory
Requires	Palace
Combat
Ground	250-62.5
Ground modifiers	120% vs. ((Very) Big) Defensive Structure 100% vs. (Big) Light Structure and Basic/Animal 90% vs. Flak and Light 80% vs. Plate/Cyborg and Drone 70% vs. Medium/Harvester and Heavy 60% vs. (Big) Heavy Structure
Cooldown	300 frames (20 in-game seconds)
Range	20, minimum 7, radius 1.2
Function
Veteran bonus	+40% armor
Elite bonus	+60% firepower +25% speed Self-repair
Notes	Can crush infantry Cannot be depiloted Takes 6 slots in transports Projectiles can be shot down The projectile has 220 hit points and flies at a speed of 26
Miscellaneous
Artist(s)	Azri_Apoc

“	Sending airmail!	”
	—Scud Launcher

The Scud Launcher is a long range artillery unit utilized by the Russians. A successor to the V2 Launcher, it can fire extremely powerful missiles over great distances.

Official description

The Scud Launcher is a loading and launching platform for tactical ballistic missiles. As is customary of the Soviet philosophy, firepower and armor are emphasized with this powerful siege engine, making it one of the most powerful long-range threats on the battlefield. A few direct hits from a Scud Launcher will cause even the sturdiest of buildings to collapse into a pile of rubble.

Unfortunately, due to the relatively slow speed of the projectile the missile can be shot down by anti-aircraft defenses. Another drawback is that even though the Scud Launcher is one of the heaviest armored artilleries, it is still vulnerable to enemy fire and shouldn't be left undefended.

Overview

For a detailed list of changes from the original game, click here.

The Scud Launcher is a major improvement from vanilla Red Alert 2's V3 Launcher; despite its increased cost and tech level (from $800/Tech 2 to $1400/Tech 3), the Scud Launcher boasts more hit points and range. The Scud Launcher's rocket speed is vastly increased and rocket launch time is reduced as well.

The Scud Launcher boasts incredibly long range which can outrange any buildings and base defenses, save the Plasmerizer. Its Scud Rockets travel at high speed and hard to intercept by AA weapons, while a single hit can pulverize even the sturdiest buildings to collapse into a pile of rubble. A group of 4 Scud Launchers can destroy almost any building and defenses in one volley. The Scud Launcher is among the best siege units in the game, though still inferior than seaborne siege weapons.

With average armor and hit points, the Scud Launcher has no way to defend itself other than crushing infantry. Escorts such as Wolfhounds and Tesla Cruisers are therefore necessary. Its Scud Rocket can be intercepted in mid air, rendering it useless against heavy AA unless massed.

Appearances

“	This Scud is the successor to the V2. It'll fire missiles at great distances to tear buildings apart.	”
	—Soviet intel during Operation: Idle Gossip

Act One

• The Scud Launcher makes its first appearance as a buildable unit in Idle Gossip.

Act Two

• In Earthrise, Scud Launchers' missiles can travel farther and faster on the Moon than on Earth, due to the Moon's lower gravity.

Assessment

Pros	Cons
Arguably the most effective Soviet artillery. Very effective against structures. Good armor. Can be used to flatten entire bases from an incredible range, if well protected by escorts.	Projectiles can be shot down. Difficult to hit fast-moving units. Vulnerable to aerial and anti-armor threats if not well guarded. Large minimum attack range. Slow-moving.

Behind the scenes

• In version 2.0 the Scud Launcher used the same voiceset as the Scud Launcher from Generals.
• The overall design takes some inspiration from the V4 rocket launcher from Red Alert 3.

See also

• Buratino

External links

• V3 Rocket Launcher (original unit) in the Command & Conquer Wiki