Description[]
The Crocodile is the first scenario of the Russian Campaign in Empire Earth.
Briefing[]
The Crocodile: 2018
The life of Grigor Illyanich Stoyanovich had been largely comprised of dark corners and black alleyways, the run-down tenements of his birthplace, the shadowy meeting rooms of the Russian Mafia, the political rallies held in abandoned warehouses. He had struggled against adversity since the day of his birth, just as so many other Russians had. Just as so many continued to do.
Now, following his failed election campaign and an abortive coup in Moscow, Grigor's future seems no less grim than his past. Hounded by the Russian Government's security forces, who seek to try him as a criminal and a traitor, Grigor has taken refuge in the city of Voronezh. But true safety lies further south in Volgograd, where faithful supporters stand ready to deliver him the city upon his arrival.
It is time for this heretofore unsuccessful yet supremely confident political agitator to step out of the shadows and into the limelight.
Objectives[]
- After Grigor is warned of the Russian troops who are after him, ensure he safely arrives at Volgograd. If he is seen by anyone in Voronezh he will be captured. Only his friend, Pyotr, can drive him to safety.
- Grigor must survive. His friends and supporters are expendable in the name of his cause.
- Bring Grigor safely to Volgograd.
- Destroy the Capitol in Voronezh.
- To make things easier, ally with the other 3 powers of Saratov, Rostov, and the Ukraine. Bringing a Diplomat to each of their Fortresses will provide further instruction on forging alliances.
- Give Rostov at least 1000 Iron in Tribute to secure an alliance with them. Any previous Tributes are now invalid.
- Give Saratov at least 1000 Gold in Tribute to secure an alliance with them. Any previous Tributes are now invalid.
- The Ukraine will ally with you automatically once both Rostov and Saratov have joined you.
Hints[]
- No vehicle you encounter will be able to move unless Pyotr gets in first. He is driving, after all. Boarding a vehicle will be easiest if you move as close as you can to it before attempting to get in.
- Pyotr's staff car has a known license plate and may not be the best way to get out of Voronezh.
- Prepare defenses at Volgograd quickly. The Russian security troops won't waste much time pursuing Grigor there.
- You'll find it easier to win if you ally with the neighbouring towns.
History[]
Grigor Illyanich Stoyanovich: President of the New Russian Republic. It was the young Russian's ultimate objective, but it was still far from fact in the mid 2010s. At that time he was still known as "Illy" to his friends, and "The Crocodile" to almost everyone else. Russia had stagnated since the collapse of the Soviet Union. It was Grigor's passionate goal to lead his country well beyond its former days of glory.
In his early teens, Illy had abandoned his parents to their own poverty. He drifted comfortably into the life of a street thug with the Russian Mafia and rose swiftly through their ranks. It was in the Mafia that he earned the nickname "The Crocodile" due to the ruthless treatment he gave his enemies. That reputation, along with his street-smart intelligence and charismatic demeanor, helped him to attain a position of some importance in the criminal underworld. But this taste for power was just small potatoes to Grigor.
It was the food riots of 2016 that first propelled "The Crocodile" into the political spotlight. A long, harsh winter coupled with a dry summer caused massive crop failures around the world, and the Russian people suffered terribly. Grigor's parents died in the riots and he had opportunistically used the tragedy to jump-start his political career. He held rallies and gave speeches, touching on themes not dissimilar to those that had led to the Bolshevik Revolution a century earlier.
In 2018, Grigor entered the Russian presidential race as a candidate for the ultra-nationalist Ushi Party. His failure at the polls, far from discouraging him, just sent him down a different path. He rejected the Government in Moscow and planned to form his own breakaway state. It would be called Novaya Russia, and Grigor vowed to one day reunite all of Russia and the former Soviet States under his new flag.
Strategy[]
Warning: Do not read if you wish to solve the scenario on your own.
The early part of the scenario is a simple point-and-click puzzle; the real RTS strategizing comes after Grigor arrives in Volgograd.
The first order of business players would want to attend, unless they're looking for a challenge, is to make allies with Rostov, Saratov and Ukraine ASAP; Voronezh is already powerful enough to take on the combined might of every other faction, so Grigor's party definitely need their help more than the Russian government. On the angle of resource cost, having additional 3 hostile factions in a squeezed up map is not worth avoiding immediate expense of 1000 Iron and Gold; the long term cost fighting off the enemies will very likely be bigger if you choose not to make allies.
Next is to set up resource flow and defenses. With all allies acquired, Volgograd only needs wall to its Northwest corner; resources of all kinds and a space for a single granary set is easily found on the Southern arcs of Volgograd. The real deal however is to invest in stationary Anti-Aircraft defenses on the city perimeters, as Voronezh would periodically send a B-2 stealth bomber or a transport helicopter carrying infantries. Setting up towers and guarding combat unit is recommended, but your allies can effectively take the weight of Voronezh's terrestrial aggression, as they would frequently take on the offensive themselves, averting Voronezh's land unit's attention; Voronezh do not attack through the water, but there's little reliable waterway on the map to begin with.
Next, on to breaching Voronezh's defense. It must be noted that Voronezh has Epoch XI (Digital) Stationary AA and Tower set along the city walls and Capitol, they have boosted range and attack power too. Relentless assault from land or air, even with the combined might of your allies, will be futile. One of the more cost-effective way is to invest in the Howitzer Cannon, particularly with maxed out Range and Attack, the siege engine would be able to out-range the towers and destroy them safely; make sure that during such siege, you accompany the cannon with Anti-Aircraft tanks, Anti-Tanks and other necessary counter to Voronezh's likely attempt to retaliate, the Howitzer cannon themselves are fragile and slow, so they are very unlikely to survive fleeing a losing siege without cover.
Once the outer stationary defense are out, Voronezh will be on the defense, as your allies will frequently push deeper into the perimeter. You can make one decisive blow by attempting one huge assault with a pack of Howitzer reserved for the capitol, or you can slowly but surely kill Voronezh by destroying its combat unit buildings one by one through any means you desire; beware however that Ukraine has nothing between it and the western Voronezh walls – breaching the walls from their side would allow Voronezh's land units to quickly raze them.
Advancement to Epoch XI is not really needed, but could help in giving an edge that helps prevent losing engagement.
