| “ | USA armor division! - Crusader tank |
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The Crusader tank was the American main battle tank during the GLA Conflict.
Background[]
| “ | The fastest and most lethal tank in the world, the Crusader can deliver 125mm shells onto near and far targets. Upgrades can improve the armour or add a Scout or Battle Drone. The Composite Armor upgrade is developed at the Strategy Center. - Generals manual(src) |
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The main battle tank of the US military, the Crusader tank was said to be the fastest and most lethal tank in the world. It was armed with a 125mm cannon, and could be further improved with composite armor and an aerial drone.
Game unit[]
The best basic tank of the three factions, the Crusader has an edge over most other tanks due to its superior armor and reasonable speed. Its armor can be improved with a purchase from the war factory, and it can be supplemented with one of three drones. When upgraded, this tank retains its usefulness even in late-game matches, being able to go head-on with all other vehicles in its class.
However, it is easily countered by anti-tank infantry and aircraft, as well as long-range units such as the GLA's rocket buggy, against which it has little defense. For this reason, it should not be used without upgrades and escorts to cover the spectrum of anti-infantry and anti-air defense.
Upgrades[]
Drones[]
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The Scout Drone increases the vehicle's sight range and reveals nearby stealth units.
Costs $100.
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The Battle Drone is armed with a small machine gun, and could also repair its parent vehicle.
Costs $300.
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Hellfire Drone (Zero Hour only)
The Hellfire Drone, available in Zero Hour, fires a small but surprisingly powerful missile against enemy ground units.
Costs $500.
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Drones can be further enhanced with the drone armor upgrade.
Base[]
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This upgrade improves the armor of each Crusader.
Purchasable at Strategy Center for $2000.
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Allows Crusaders, along with all other USA units, to gain veterancy twice as fast.
Purchasable at Strategy Center for $1500.
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Quotes[]
| When created |
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| When selected |
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| When ordered to move |
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| When ordered to attack |
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| When ordered to crush |
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| When ordered to perform ability: Deploy Battle Drone (Unused) |
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| When received upgrade: Composite Armor |
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Trivia[]
- None of the three specialized American generals (Townes, Granger, and Alexander) utilize the Crusader. Therefore, it does not appear in the Generals Challenge outside of several cutscenes.
- In the UK manual of Generals, the Crusader's icon is mistakenly replaced with that of the unused Leopard tank.
- Interestingly, this tank combines the resemblance of a real life Leopard 2 & M1 Abrams main battle tanks (further reinforced by the fact that the model's name is 'AVLeopard').
- The Crusader was originally going to be armed with a coaxial machine gun in addition to its main cannon. Coding of the machine gun is still present in the game codes, being merely commented out instead of removed. And it can be seen in the cameo. It was likely removed for balancing reasons.
- Much like the Raptor's early design, the Crusader also used a gold skin and completely different tread design. In some ways, the early design's chassis slightly resembled the Siege tank from the StarCraft series. Its model and its texture can still be accessed by browsing through the game's files.
Gallery[]
Firing
Early version
Early concept art, dubbed the Leopard tank
Leopard tank render
Final concept art
See also[]
- Laser tank, General Townes counterpart
- Battlemaster tank, Chinese counterpart
- Scorpion tank, GLA counterpart
References[]
- ↑ Command & Conquer: Generals manual. Los Angeles, California: Electronic Arts Pacific, 2002.
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