Seasoned Ace

Re: Catalyst missile versus ion cannon

tib catalyst missile deals MUCH more damage with chem unit clouds for the same price (60 for unit, 90 for missile vs 150 for ion). Only downside is you have to make a unit and then position it for the explosion where as ion is point and click and done. Side by side, I'd currently say jade catalyst missile is stronger.

4 Replies

Marine_CorporaI
7 years ago
So this is what I've noticed. It's happened to me more that once. Let's say my opponent has laser troopers on a pad. I bring shockwave troopers to the pad to take them out. Then comes a catalyst missile. It takes out my shockwave troopers but leaves their laser troopers intact on the pad.
In contrast if I do the same thing with an Ion Canon, everything on that pad gets taken out. My troops and his troops.
Maybe it was flukes. I don't know. But it's happened more than once that their missile doesn't damage their units on the same pad. I
EA_dance210
EA Staff (Retired)
7 years ago
Hi @Marine_CorporaI,

The Catalyst Missile and Ion Cannon aren't intended to do exactly the same thing. The Ion Cannon is intended to be a multi-tile ability, so when it's triggered it will deal damage to adjacent tiles. The Catalyst Missile, however, relies on its synergy with Tiberium, or the gas clouds from Chemical Warriors or Chem Buggies to deal massive explosions.

In your example, because the Catalyst Missile didn't hit Tiberium or a gas cloud, it will only do damage to your Shockwave Troopers. It needs the synergy with Tiberium or gas clouds to maximize it's damage.

Hopefully this makes sense.
BattaIia
Seasoned Ace
7 years ago
if the missile hits a tile, it only damages the tile. If the missile hits a tiberium field, it does damage to that tile and explodes and damages every tile around it. If it hits chemical gas or a chemical unit it will explode and damage the tile and every tile around it AS WELL AS chain to any other chemical gas clouds or chemical units. This can mean with enough clouds and chem units this explosion can easily encompass multiple pads in a very short time.

On a side note, the outer tiles of the ion cannon might do less damage than the main tile hit, usually infantry and light vehicles cannot survive the outer tile, so feel free to blast an empty hex and kill the enemy units with the outer tiles to preserve your own troops.
Marine_CorporaI
7 years ago
Got it. Makes sense. Thanks.