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Shimadacat's avatar
7 years ago

Rework the Sandstorm (GDI)

The Sandstorm is a powerful tech unit when its opponent are new players who lack experience. However, as you climb the ranks it becomes nearly obsolete due to being severely outclassed by the Titan and the Mammoth (to some degree). Part of this issue is that the sandstorm was designed to be an anchor, but inherits some characteristics that fit a raider, like a fast attack and decent movement speed. This puts it at a sort of middle ground, where everything the sandstorm can do is done better by another unit. This is reflected in the fact that it sees virtually no play in the higher ranks, and I have not seen a single sandstorm fielded past gold (I'm in masters lll). Some possible fixes to this would be to push back the unlock level so newer players do not feel overwhelmed and to make it a viable late-game raider by buffing the movement speed and allowing it to fire while moving.

4 Replies

  • Sandstorms are strong AA units. They just also happen to shoot infantry and vehicles while bored, but they weren't designed for this. The sandstorm is GDI's defacto answer to clear the skies. If you want to take out vehicles or infantry, then there are better answers. But as is, the sandstorm is in a pretty good spot right now.

    Pro's
    Will kill any air unit bar none
    will kill 3 of any air unit at the same time
    will kill air units and continue to damage ground units trying to distract it
    with jackson charge will destroy an enemy base in record time. Without jackson buff the sandstorm gives flame tanks a run for their money.
    Quick, and decently armoured, the sandstorm can take a hit and still keep on ticking

    Con's
    Average vehicle damage means it can take 1 tank before going down to the 2nd tank. Infantry also give it a hard time, but it won't hesitate to mow down jump jet troopers who get too brave

    I'd say sandstorm is in a pretty good place right now for a tech unit.
  • I'm in Tib League and use it to great effect when combining it with the Juggernaut. It can take enough splash damage from the Juggernaut to survive and hold a point while defending from air and armor. The Juggernaut then takes out any infantry that try to attack the Sandstorm while assisting with taking out vehicles.
  • Yes the sandstorm can take out air units very quickly, but if going against a unit like the basilisk it gets melted. The hammerhead is much better at taking out air units, the only exception being swarm units
  • BattaIia's avatar
    BattaIia
    Seasoned Ace
    7 years ago
    basilisk and sandstorm should neutralize. Let the basilisk move into 2 range and make that the moment you jump forward to engage it. But yea, hammer head is the dedicated anti-air unit for GDI. But doesn't mean sandstorm is in a bad place right now. Used to be, when it split it's damage. But not anymore.

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