JUST MY OPINION with the overall strengths of all the generals:
(not vs computer...but versus other humans)
Definitions: Early game (gameplay before reaching rank 3)
Late Game (Reaching rank 3 and surpassing most promotion requirements)
USA:
Air Force:
Does not have a decent long range mobile defense (like artillery) from start.
A little weaker due to the fact that massive amounts of Stealths must be built to counter long range (to compensate for lack of artillery or long range defense in Early Game) Still sort of hard since my friends send either massive gatling tanks or quad cannons to protect their fast mortar buggys and their chinese artillery
Laser:
Laser is only slightly better since they have anhilators. Sadly, they are only accessed in Late Game
and cannot help in early game... plus they dont seem to be able to shoot air (even tho the description says so)
Laser commaches seem very weak. Point defensive lasers on buildings are nice
however all the defenses go bye bye if an anhilator blows up
If only the anhilator does not anhilate so much when it dies...then Laser should be much fairer and better. Also..considering that SW general is so overpowered...I think a good rebalance is to give Laser Gen the Power Rods upgrade from SW's power plants, Laser needs them more badly than SuperWeapon. Put Normal rod upgrades on SW makes SW gen SO much fairer...while still keeping her cool weapons.
SuperWeapon (SW):
Overpowered in Late Game, early game...fairer than before, when there were no promotion restrictions
Cybernetic:
Have not played yet...although cybernetic from previous experiences show that it is relatively weaker than most generals
CHINA:
Tank:
China tanks got nuclear tank upgrades yea! (if they did before...I dont remember them having it) China seems better with its new late game inmobile artillery...however it would be nice if they had a weak, relatively in-expensive mobile artillery in early game. I tried using china air (helixes) to compensate for this..but once again my friends use quad cannons and gatlings to protect their artillery. I personally dont see the use for banshees and ecm tanks since they only use their missile jamming shield for themselves...would be cool if there fields can be devoted to protect other units. (My personal favorite has always been tank general)
Nuke:
Nuke is overpowered as usual...(note: SW and Nuke are cool...but doesnt get rid of the fact that they are overpowered). In my opinion, nuke structures should be more explosive (self splash damaging when destroyed) to compensate for their overwhelming power. So that with great power comes at the sacrifice of a very combustable base.
Infanty:
Pretty balanced and fair...one only prob was that in Contra 3 (even with limited superweapons) Infantry can build massive amts of internet centers for stacking the Hack III ability...make it possible for (technically) infinite generals powers...I dunno if that was fixed in 04
Flame:
Seems much better; The flame 'arurora' like plane actually seems fair (compared to the USA auroras) since it does not do as much damage as USA auroras.
I believe (not specifically talking about Flame anymore..just in general) Attack power IMO should be greatly sacrificed for the ability to not get shot down be4 delivering a payload. If something gets the aurora's ability...it better be fairly weak in damage.
GLA:
Demolition:
Have not played..but one of my friends always plays at him..the defense site rush strategy seems unstoppable (applicable to most GLA sides...but especially Demo and Chemical who can build various things in their defense sites)
Assault:
Have not played much
Chemical:
Did not play yet or have seen
Stealth:
Stealth used to be weak, now they are much better
GLA (overall):
I would think logically that GLA is alot more powerful overall since China and USA have been humbled ALOT by the promotion restrictions. GLA does not need power and most of its units are availible and decent enough to easily overpower the other 2 sides during early game. (I think worker bikers should either have their speed reduced a little or as a sacrifice for their great speed that they build buildings/defenses slightly slower than workers...otherwise why use workers? than just worker bikers?
An important note: this are just my opinions and recent observations. I still am grateful that Creator and alot of other people are willing to put much effort in this mod.
