I want to share a tactic which I invented and developed a while ago. I am not sure that it is absolutely new idea, but I didn't meet it in the game or from YouTubers.
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This tactics require cooperation of 2 players. Air and Naval. But single Air player works too. However 2 or even 3 player makes it even more reliable.
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This tactic tested in 19 games in row, every game ended as victory.
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Average game duration 11-13 minutes.
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Average rating is 600-1000, but it should work for higher ranks too because on replays which I saw, build orders of high-ranked players still vulnerable for this tactic.
Description:
Air player on Seraphim should build T2 Fighter\Bombers using only T1 MEX, while Naval player on Cybran should build T2 Destroyers and Cruisers using only T1 MEX.
In result, 8 T2 bombers will be at enemy base at 8:30.
Bombers should be grouped by 2 planes in group. Each group should do ground fire between two enemy T1 or T2 MEX, so 2 bombers will destroy 2 T2 MEX.
In result, enemy player will loose all of its MEX-es in seconds and he will require 5 minutes to rebuild it back.
This bombers run should be repeated several times for each enemy player.
Also, at time 8:30, allied Destroyer will be near enemy base for artillery bombardment from a sea.
Minute later, allied Cruiser also will be on the river and will provide Anti Air support against enemy interceptors which will be built in order to try to fight against T2 Bombers.
If enemy team will build T2 AA, those AA turrets usually will be built in line or tight group and can be destroyed with 3 T2 Bombers.
Shields may provide more protection, but soon, amount of bombers will reach 20-30, which can penetrate single shield and destroy AA turrets under it.
Also this tactics acts as a protection against most rush tactics from an enemy team. Tactics such as ACU drop or any other drop became inefficient because T2 bombers will destroy it before it will be able to do something.
If someone build strong anti-air defense, bombers just may pick another target and return to it later, while Destroyers will attack this heavy protected bases from the sea.
I suppose, the best protection against this will be achieved if 1 or 2 air players will build a lot of T1 fighters using T1 MEX-es in case if their scout will detect that air players does not upgrades its MEX-es to T2. Also 1-2 shields and 3-4 T2 AA on the base. But I not sure, because we didn't meet a enemy team who did that.
More theory:
Core idea is that T1 MEX repay its investment for only 18 seconds, while T2 MEX requires 225 seconds (3:45). And most players (except 2 front players) on Dual Gap usually prefer to max economy, in result, they are very vulnerable for attack of army which was build on T1 MEX-es.
Building of army on T1 MEX it is a proper way to play Supreme Commander. T2 MEX is required if enemy does the same and balance of forces is similar. Plus you may get additional mass using reclaim during battles.
Additionally, these pairs of MEX-es is a very vulnerable targets for 2 bombers. Furthermore, you can attach air factory to 2 MEX-es in order to get 15% mass discount for your bombers. With additional mass from the rocks and forest, amount of T2 bombers will reach a huge numbers very soon, and even if you made a mistake with coordination of air strikes, lost planes will be quickly replaced with the new one.
Replays:
Here is a list of all replays if you want to check a build order and try it by yourself. You will like it if you like concept of aviation and bombers in the games.
Number on the left means chronological order.
Note, from replay number 10 and above, there is used an improved build order based on connection to 2 MEX-es, so I recommend you to use build order from these replays.
If you don't want to watch all the replays, I recommend this one
https://replay.faforever.com/16122299
And also this one where my friend plays solo and makes significant impact on the battlefield
https://replay.faforever.com/16152894
--- 3 players (2 Air + Naval)
18 https://replay.faforever.com/16148578
17 https://replay.faforever.com/16147295
16 https://replay.faforever.com/16146820
15 https://replay.faforever.com/16146618
14 https://replay.faforever.com/16146375
13 https://replay.faforever.com/16138627
12 https://replay.faforever.com/16129816
11 https://replay.faforever.com/16129588
10 https://replay.faforever.com/16129346
9 https://replay.faforever.com/16127185
--- 2 players (Air + Naval)
8 https://replay.faforever.com/16123356
7 https://replay.faforever.com/16122426
6 https://replay.faforever.com/16122299
5 https://replay.faforever.com/16122101
4 https://replay.faforever.com/16121920
3 https://replay.faforever.com/16116155
2 https://replay.faforever.com/16115970
--- 1 player (Air only)
1 https://replay.faforever.com/16109521
New game of my friend againts two 1200 in enemy team
19 https://replay.faforever.com/16152894