Rise of the Reds – or ROTR for short – improves upon the C&C Generals formula while also adding its own distinct elements to it. Most notably, the mod adds two completely new factions, the tank-heavy Russian Federation and the defence-oriented European Continental Alliance. In addition, the three original factions China, USA and GLA have been greatly expanded and redesigned in a variety of ways, with several new units, buildings, powers and abilities to explore and combine in your in-game tactics.
In the tumultuous landscape of the Third World War, often the only protection an ECA infantryman could rely on were the hastily erected fortifications typified by the European doctrine. Yet, while offering some respite from the combat, these fortifications proved inadequate for soldiers wielding the heavy weaponry demanded by the escalating Russian onslaught. Often forced to either abandon their specialised armaments outside, rendering them inoperable, or brave the perilous combat outside, these troops became easy prey for enemy snipers, artillery, and energy-based assaults.
With the effectiveness of heavy weapon units often being the lynchpin of many ECA positions, development efforts swiftly prioritised the creation of a more adaptable fortification solution. By eschewing the roof, incorporating grenade sumps, and reinforcing the perimeter with additional barriers, a versatile defensive position emerged – the 'Open-Top Fortification.'
Distinguished by its lack of a roofing, the Open-Top Fortification became a favourite among Heavy Gunner and Combat Pioneer units for its expansive sightlines and resilience against specialised Russian anti-infantry armaments. Grenadier units especially took a liking to the positions and were reported to often use additional netting protections to stay in their positions for as long as possible, a practice that famously became the ire of Russian troops assaulting the Rhineland Line in 2046 and the ill-fated invasion of England the following year.
However, while these positions proved effective and popular among units equipped with heavy weaponry, traditional infantry armed with standard firearms found themselves paradoxically more vulnerable when utilising the Open-Top Fortifications. Lacking the bulk of heavy weapon teams' equipment, they became susceptible to stray fire, compelling them to maintain their preference for the safer closed-top variant.
Sounds like a nice supplement to the bunkers!