Tesla trooper (Red Alert 3)

	For more units of this type, see Tesla trooper.

Tesla Trooper
Standard and "deployed" Tesla troopers
Unit
Internal name	SovietHeavyAntiVehicleInfantry
Affiliation	Soviet Union
Role	Advanced anti-infantry/anti-armour infantry
Armament	Tesla discharge devices, EM disruptor
Protection	Tesla-powered armour
Tier	2
Properties
Armour type	Medium
Amphibious	No
Production
Cost	750
Build time	0:10
Produced by	Barracks
Requires	Super reactor
Combat
Ground attack	Electric discharges EM disruptor
Air attack	No
Function
Abilities	EM disruptor
Notes
Can charge Tesla coils to increase their power

“

Trooper, fully charged!
- Tesla trooper exiting the barracks

”

Tesla troopers were special advanced anti-armour/anti-infantry infantry used by the Soviets during War of the Three Powers and The Uprising.

Background[edit | edit source]

A Tesla trooper

Tesla troopers are the Soviet Union's elite shock troopers. Clad in massive suits of powered armour and armed with integrated Tesla guns, these soldiers are extremely effective against armoured units, since their Tesla guns can cut through most armour, and their bulky battlesuit prevents them from being crushed by tank treads. In addition, their Tesla weapons can be used to power Tesla coils, keeping them operational even when a blackout occurs.

Furthermore, they are equipped with electromagnetic disruptors, allowing them to disable all enemy vehicles within a short radius. However, activating the EM disruptor also renders them immobile and unable to attack.

Notes from the field[edit | edit source]

Tank Destroyers: Tesla troopers are extremely potent against tanks and mechanical targets due to their electrical attacks. They are also deadly against individual infantry, but their slow rate of fire prevents them from being good against massed soldiers.
Slow and Steady: Due to their heavy mechanical suits, Tesla troopers are less mobile than most other infantry. Because of this, they are typically better suited for defensive measures.
Uncrushable: Tesla troopers are immune to being crushed by tanks except large units (Apocalypse Tank etc.). Foolish commanders fighting against the Union that have sent out tank divisions without anti-infantry support have often witnessed their expensive vehicles fried to a crisp by small divisions of these walking tanks.
Animal Proof: Tesla troopers cannot be harmed by dogs or bears, making these cheap anti-infantry units helpless against them. However, they can be stunned by their roar, and - if in EM disruptor mode - will not turn off enemy machinery.

Abilities[edit | edit source]

	Tesla Weapon	Use directed Tesla bursts to engage enemy ground forces.
	Electro-Magnetic Disruptors	Activates electro-magnetic disruptors which completely disable all enemy vehicles in the vicinity. However, during this time, the Tesla trooper is also immobile.

Armament[edit | edit source]

The Tesla trooper is armed with a pair of Tesla guns built directly into the arms of their armour, which are effective against both infantry and vehicles. However, its slow rate of fire means that it is best used as an anti-tank weapon, as faster vehicles and infantry can simply out run the Tesla troopers. They can also be used as emergency power supply for Tesla coils, in case of power failure.

In addition to the Tesla guns, Tesla Troopers can also project an EM field around themselves, disrupting the internal electronics of all enemy vehicles in its vicinity. However, this field can only be maintained if the Troopers stay stationary, and the Tesla guns cannot be fired when the EM Disruptor is active.

Weaknesses[edit | edit source]

Despite their formidable powered suits, they still possess a few glaring weaknesses. The most notable issue was the overall slowness of the robotic armour, as well as a slow rate of fire. Imperial Shinobi proved a major problem for the troopers, as they can easily outrun them, and their armour offers no protection against their shurikens.

Furthermore, the heavy metallic armour they wear means that they are one of the few infantry units vulnerable to magnetic satellites. Their suits also offer no protection to chemical and cryogenic weapons, and they are defenseless against aircraft.

Also Allied Peacekeepers can outnumber it with relative ease and their riot shields will also be a problem.

Tactics[edit | edit source]

For infantry-only players, the Tesla trooper has proven to be an effective rushing the enemy when being paired up with the flak troopers. While Tesla troopers decimate ground units and structures, flak troopers can rip apart enemy air forces. Tesla trooper squads are also an appreciated seasoning for garrisoning a choke point against armour rushes. It is better if a Tesla coil is present as Tesla trooper can power it up. In defending a base from enemy infantry, it is a good idea to make the Tesla Trooper attack the infantry head on, while a squad of conscripts tear apart the infantry from a safe distance. This tactic can cover up the Tesla trooper's poor rate of fire.

Changelog[edit | edit source]

Red Alert 3 beta patch 1.3:
- Multigunner IFV + Tesla trooper rate of fire doubled
- can no longer "thaw" frozen units
Red Alert 3 beta patch 1.5:
- Multigunner IFV + Tesla Trooper combo now has a pre-attack delay and its overall DPS was lowered
- electro-magnetic disruptors toggle has a cooldown of 1 second. Tesla troopers can no longer move while in their secondary mode
Red Alert 3 patch 1.05: fixed a bug where spies would retain the Tesla effect after bribing a unit while disguised as a Tesla trooper
Red Alert 3 patch 1.08: pre-attack delay reduced by 1 second
Red Alert 3 patch 1.11: fixed a bug that allowed structures to be placed on top of Tesla troopers using EM disruptors