Leang General Challenge

After defeating all other generals for which a challenge map was created, the player will face Chinese General Leang, who commands units, buildings and general's support powers from all three factions. 
==Overview==
The challenge takes place in a high-altitude snowy landscape divided by ridges and deep ravines, linked by bridges and including some urban areas. The Boss General's base is along the northern map edge, across a heavily guarded bridge and very deep canyon. Elevation is highly variable.
General Leang's map presents the player with a number of problems. The starting area in the southwest is lower in elevation and has very limited space, while the plateau above it is packed with buildings and unsuitable for expansion. Given the limited amount of land available in the player's starting location, it is usually advisable to rely on a strategy of building numerous superweapons. 
It is eventually necessary to expand supply-gathering operations to the mountainous land east across the bridge; this region is divided by numerous ridges, and constructing here will result in a widely dispersed base that is difficult to manage. There are a number of units patroling around this area as the level begins, including Dragon Tanks and Paladin Tanks. On the positive side, there are some scattered bonus supply crates that can be scooped up for a small cash boost.
The mission is fast-paced and the action begins early. One of the first encounters with her army will be an attack at the eastern bridge with a force of Rangers; later attacks will include either Rocket Buggies or Paladin Tanks. Expect an early Sneak Attack near the player's starting supply dock after constructing a tech structure equivalent (Propaganda Center, Palace, or Strategy Center). Later, Overlord-led armor attacks will come relentlessly across the northern bridges. The player should anticipate repeatedly rebuilding base structures.
*Aerial attacks from MiGs are so damaging that her airfields must be prioritized until she eventually stops rebuilding them.
*The longer the game goes on, the greater the toll from Leang's powers, which include Carpet Bombing, level 1 Spectre Gunship, level 3 Artillery Barrage and EMP Pulse.
*Leang's own sprawling main base appears well-defended, and its front entrance is indeed heavily guarded. However, another entrance to her base also exists under the bridge, leading to a supply dock in the northwest.
*Her superweapons have a critical vulnerability - There are three special structures marked on the map, the destruction of which will reset timers for all of them. Each are located outside her main base perimeter, so even GLA Generals can do it with a Rebel Ambush. Additionally, the superweapons themselves also count as tech buildings, allowing the production of her main offensive units such as Avengers and Overlords, as well as all three Commando units (Jarmen Kell, Black Lotus, Colonel Burton), so destroying them can blunt her forces significantly if she can no longer rebuild any structures.
**The countdown timer of superweapons differ for each difficulty: 12 minutes on Hard, 30 minutes on Medium, and 1 hour on Easy.
* Unlike some other AI generals, Leang seems to rebuild her base structures quite reliably (apart from the Air Fields), meaning that her command center and dozers must be top priority targets once the player has taken care of her superweapons.
* The oil derrick located near the starting area will be a frequent target for Leang's attacks. Be prepared for ground units to park on the cliff above the oil derrick and fire down onto it. Additionally, it will be a regular target for MiG napalm strikes and should be repaired as fast as possible until air defenses can be devoted to it.
* The northern bridge approach will be the center of her armored attacks and requires the most attention.
* Certain strategies can deny her from ever using her Powers, but remember to save a few engineering units in case they do get through.
* It's very difficult to achieve air superiority. Although Aurora Bombers and King Raptors are generally not used, the MiGs and Helixes can cause some serious damage.
* Leang has combat cycles that come already loaded with terrorists, effectively tuning them into ground missiles. While lightly armored, they are fast and extremely dangerous.
* Paladin tanks tend to come down through the eastern region, typically in groups of three. Though destructive, they can be wiped out with infantry missiles.
* Expect regular barrages of long-range artillery on the starting area. Do not allow ground units to cluster near the center of the base or the front of the war factory/arms dealer.
Due to the large concentration of her forces and defenses, expect having to build at least one superweapon in many strategies. Most strategies rely on multiple superweapons, due to the difficulty of attacking her base directly.
== General-Specific Considerations ==
=== China ===
*The Internet Center is practically required, as its Satellite Hack II ability is the only way to remove all fog of war, which can interfere with Superweapon and General Power targeting.
**Hackers not stationed inside the Internet Center are extremely vulnerable due to the confined nature of the base and Leang's frequent use of barrage support powers. If they must work in the open, place them well away from high value buildings that are likely to attract fire.
*A Gattling Cannon may be needed just behind the Oil Derrick to destroy enemy Helixes and infantry. It'll also draw fire from the MiGs, allowing Construction Dozers to safely repair other structures. A Speaker Tower with Subliminal Messaging should be placed a short distance from it to heal the Dozers and potentially any other defending units.
*Nuclear Missiles are necessary for many strategies. Specifically, they should be used to eliminate her Command Centers to prevent her from using her powers 30 minutes into the game, as Artillery Barrage and Carpet Bombing will irreversibly cripple the base otherwise. At least six of them must be ready for launch before then.
**The best tactic is to hit each Command Center with one Nuclear Missile but hold off further strikes. As Satellite Hack I reveals all Command Centers until their destruction, it is possible to monitor enemy Dozer movement. When they return to repair the Command Centers, launch all remaining Nuclear Missiles to catch them all. If successful, these systematic strikes will effectively remove her General Powers from play and prevent her from replacing lost structures, making the rest of the challenge far easier.
**Upgrade all structures (prioritize Nuclear Missiles, Propaganda Center, Command Center and Reactors above all else) with Land Mines once Hackers create a stable stream of income. They can deter Colonel Burton from planting any bombs.
*Carpet Bombing can be used to suppress the southwestern Air Field. Aim it slightly away so the summoned bomber can drop its payload earlier, as only a few hits are required to destroy the structure and all MiGs stored within.
*MiGs and Helixes are generally less effective on this map with all the Avengers and Gatling Tanks, although the Helix can play an important role in ferrying units and to aid in defense if filled with a Battle Bunker and Infantry. The Air Field must be sold at some point to free up space for Nuclear Missiles.
**Parking the Helix at the Southwestern corner will keep it safe from enemy units if it isn't needed.
*The level 3 Artillery Barrage should be saved until the last thirty seconds before firing. Apart from that, it can also be used to target the Northeastern Air Field. Meanwhile, the Nuclear Missile takes approximately nine seconds to reach its target, which is useful if any more are available for use elsewhere.
*The Black Lotus can be used to collect supply crates and capture the occasional oil derrick. Most Oil Derricks outside of the base however will likely be destroyed and have to be written off, as defending them is too difficult given how much micromanagement the mission requires. Once the crates have been collected, recall her back to base - her stealth detection will come in handy when and if enemy commandos appear, while being able to steal back any structures captured by the enemy Black Lotus.
*Saturate bridge exits and other access points with cluster mines as often as possible. The eastern region has a number of potential choke points, particularly the northeast ramp near the supply dock.
*Do not rely on the ECM Tank, as it cannot reliably jam MiG missiles.
*In the late game, the Nuke Cannon's Neutron Shells can be used to empty enemy vehicles, clogging the bridge and preventing most others from getting through.
====Ta Hun Kwai (Armor)====
Ta Hun Kwai's armor capabilities are of limited usefulness against Leang's well-defended base. 
* Generally, a nuclear missile strategy is recommended, with tank abilities reserved for defense. Direct ground attacks on her base are impractical, or at least very difficult to sustain due to the constant MiG onslaughts and Kwai's handicaps.
*Emperors are invaluable for defense against enemy armor. They could potentially be used in an assault if inserted with Helixes after Nuclear Missiles shut off Leang's power grid, but this requires significant preparation, and the player must still beware of enemy Gattling Tanks during the helicopter insertion.
*Prepare a group of Battlemasters and Gattling Tanks to shut down the Sneak Attack Tunnel.
====Tsing Shi Tao (Nuclear)====
With his own superweapon specialty, the nuclear general is well-matched against Leang.
*Nuclear Missiles are far easier to construct and sustain thanks to their small discount and Advanced Nuclear Reactors; the latter slightly relieves space concerns.
*Overlords come with Nuclear Tanks/Uranium Shells by default. Once Isotope Stability has been picked up, they'll be able to hold off enemy ground units just fine, though support from their integrated Gattling Cannons and stationary ones may be necessary.
====Shin Fai (Infantry)====
* The lack of Overlords can be a major hinderance in fighting swarms of enemy armor, as Attack Outposts and Assault Troop Transports can fall very quickly against large concentrations of vehicles. At best, Attack Outposts can serve to ambush small groups of them, but in most cases it would be better to rely on the Fortified Bunker. Remember to fill it with many Tank Hunters and a few Mini-Gunners.
* As Super Hackers have stealth, they can be safely deployed away from the base in secluded corners and edges of the map, even if enemy units pass by once in a while. This helps them to avoid Carpet Bombings, Spectre Gunships and Artillery Barrages, allowing a constant stream of income with little concern of interference.
===GLA===
With generally weaker vehicles and no tactical aircraft, the GLA must adopt unconventional strategies. 
*Jarmen Kell plays a critical role in sniping enemy vehicles, which can then be captured with help from the Sneak Attack Tunnel and Rebel Ambush to even out the odds. With a little luck, it is possible to clog a bridge with empty vehicles, preventing enemy units from getting past. He can also retrieve the scattered supply crates, due to his stealth.
*Since Black Markets can occupy valuable space reserved for SCUD Storms, the Cash Bounty power is recommended to take advantage of Leang's relentless onslaughts.
*As the fog of war can interfere with superweapon/general power targeting, the Radar Van Scan upgrade must be procured sooner or later to reveal various parts of the map.
*A number of Quad Cannons should be stationed near the Stinger Sites to destroy MiGs, deal with Helixes, and eventually the Spectre Gunship.
*Used strategically, Sneak Attack Tunnels can insert a massive strike force inside a vulnerable area of her base (preferably with assistance of SCUD Storms to clear the immediate vicinity of threats) and demolish it systematically from there.
**A risky but rewarding strategy is to destroy Leang's Air Fields and nearby defenses with SCUD Storms before using a Sneak Attack Tunnel to unleash some commandeered Overlords and Jarmen Kell. The Overlords will stop Air Fields from being rebuilt while Jarmen Kell can either stop enemy Overlords or snipe a Dozer for capture.
*Demo Traps and Terrorists are of very limited use, as there simply isn't enough time to set both up. 
**Terrorists fare somewhat better if mounted on combat cycles (Jhuziz's cycles come this way by default). The combination is weaker than a truck bomb, but also cheaper and much faster in action, and it may suit a particular tactic or situation.
**Demo Traps do have their place in countering the initial Sneak Attack if deployed in the right location. Set to manual, a well-timed blast can wipe out everything that spawns from the tunnel. They can be sold afterwards if the tunnel does not appear.
*Stinger Sites must be relied on to distract MiGs. They are decently effective against Paladins, but Avengers can snipe their missiles quickly. Instead, a Palace is better as a frontline defense structure. Try to build it early and avoid completing it before the scripted Sneak Attack pops up. Garrison it with RPG Troopers and back it with a Worker for repairs, as well as the Fortified Structures upgrade.
*It may be advisable to prioritize destroying enemy War Factories, as the Paladins and Overlords can be quite the threat.
====Prince Kassad (Camouflage)====
Kassad has less organic firepower than other factions; he must steal Leang's vehicles to accumulate combat power and generally play smarter than other factions.
*As the Palace will be used for defense, the lack of SCUD Launchers, Marauders and Scorpions won't matter as much. If tanks are desperately needed, Hijackers can be used to steal some Paladins.
*Saboteurs are of limited use here, since they cannot enter any of the bunkers, and while they can affect superweapons directly, the reset effect will instead use their normal cooldown timers, inadvertently causing them to fire earlier. They can, however, be put to good use against exposed Cold Fusion Reactors. The resultant 30-second power outage will disable the Particle Cannon, Nuclear Missile, Patriots and Gattling Cannons, providing an excellent opportunity to ravage the base.
*Camo Netting generally won't prove helpful in avoiding her main attacks, but if set up properly, a stealthed Black Market placed away from the main base can usually gather funds without interference.
====Dr. Thrax (Chemical and Biological Weapons)====
Despite his acid-enhanced arsenal, this is generally a difficult fight for Thrax. Rush to create a Scud Storm as soon as possible to take advantage of his chemical weapons bonus.
* When augmented with Anthrax Gamma, the SCUD Storm becomes significantly better at area denial. If centered on a Superweapon, the saturated toxins will effectively deny Dozers from repairing and eventually destroy it.
* Toxin Rebels deal little damage to structures and capturing has its risks, so they tend to be inconsistent at resetting timers. They can still be used to deal with small groups of threats and to clear Leang's occupied buildings outside of her main base, but won't hold up for long.
====Rodall Juhziz (Demolitions)====
The unique destructiveness of his superweapon (capable of destroying an opposing superweapon with one blow) combined with his access to high-explosive siege units means that the player can opt for either a superweapon shootout or a direct ground assault. If the latter, plenty of Quad Cannons support will be necessary, as Leang has advanced aircraft at her disposal. 
* SCUD Launchers are excellent at destroying oncoming Overlords, but, unfortunately, also tend to be a common target for aircraft.
* Demolition Bikes can be an efficient way of taking out Leang's expensive ground units. It is best to hit them from behind or after they have already committed to attacking another unit.
* The SCUD Storm's extra raw destructive power and lack of anthrax contamination can facilitate early deployment of Sneak Attack tunnels.
===USA===
A strategy centered on making many particle cannons is recommended for all three specialized US generals. Direct attack on Leang's base is extremely expensive, although somewhat more feasible for the Air Force General with his unique Chinook variant. Other generals can conceivably also use standard Chinooks to drop an assault force inside the base if Leang's electrical supply can be disrupted. 
*Particle Cannons have an advantage over other superweapons in their precision and the ability to direct them while firing. They can be used exclusively to damage Leang's Command Centers, drawing her Dozers in as a result, before a second strike destroys them all. Maintain control of the beam while firing and vaporize the dozer as it approaches to begin repairs. The Spy Satellite and the Strategy Center's Intelligence ability can both help in this regard. Remember that all Particle Cannons must be ready, and at least 6-8 are necessary. Track down her Dozers first, then move on to the Command Centers.
**Alternatively, Particle Cannons can be used to destroy groups of Cold Fusion Reactors and bring her defenses offline. While she's busy rebuilding, some Chinooks could be used to ferry an attack force inside her base.
**The ability to be directed and fast striking time makes it practical to use them to destroy an incoming vehicle column in an emergency, although it is recommended that they ordinarily be reserved for attacks on her base, at least until the superweapons are disabled and the player is secure enough that Leang's General's Power assaults become survivable. 
*It is usually advisable to build one Fire Base filled with missile defenders in the east to help with vehicle forces from this direction.
*There are too many Avengers for any effective use of air power in the early game, but the Aurora Bombers will prove their worth to vaporize large groups of enemy vehicles, because they are invulnerable during their attack run.
*Barring controllable units, the A-10 Strike will be the best General Power to reset timers, so remember to save up all promotion points until rank 3. They should be sent with around 30 seconds left on the timer.
*The Avenger is the single best unit for air defense. 3-4 of them can actually hold off MiG strikes by neutralizing their missiles in time, and will also come in handy when confronting Rocket Buggies/Tank Hunters. They can even shoot down her carpet bomber, though they must be deployed somewhat in front of the base in the crowded urban area to have a chance. 
*Build multiple Supply Drop Zones as early as possible. It will usually be necessary to build some in the eastern region across the bridge.
*Colonel Burton can help by sneaking across the bridge to collect some crates or to control lighter vehicles like Rocket Buggies, but he will fall very quickly to Gattling Tanks, Overlords with Gattling Cannons, and Dragon Tanks. He is of limited use, although he can poach the occasional wandering vehicle in the east. If a temporary hole can be punched in her perimeter defenses, he can wreak havoc inside her base as long as he avoids traps and mines. 
*Building more than one airfield in the player's starting area is not practical, thus limiting the player to 4 jets.
*While difficult to expand into, the crevices of the eastern region can still host some buildings. This area is difficult to secure because of multiple access points and meandering roads, but the vulnerability is a necessary tradeoff. Smaller structures like power plants or supply drop zones are easier to fit, although it is possible to squeeze in a War Factory and Particle Cannon as well. 
====Malcolm Granger (Air Force)====
Despite limited space restricting airfield construction, Granger is decently-matched against Leang and can mount an effective direct assault using his unique Chinook variant. 
* Try not to rely on Air Fields, as there's next to no space for building more them. Practically speaking, there is room for only one.
**It is recommended to make one pair of King Raptors to assist with perimeter defense and one pair of Auroras to potentially sacrifice in an emergency on a one-way mission to help eliminate a superweapon that is about to fire. 
**If building Auroras, keep them on a hot key to use against targets of opportunity that may occasionally appear; they are good against bunched-up vehicles in the northern roads and bridges. Other than that, Leang's base is too well-defended to use them for offensive operations until the late game.
**Stealthed Comanches can still be taken advantage of, as helicopters do not take up any space in Air Fields. They must be managed in order not to lose them against roaming anti-air units. Gattling Cannons on Overlords as well as Avengers can destroy them quickly, limiting Comanches to suppressing weaker threats. With their stealth, they can also scout ahead for incoming armored columns and targets of opportunity.
*Employ Combat Chinooks as the primary offensive tactical aircraft (see below.) Fully loaded with missile defenders and one Pathfinder, and carefully managed, they are a devastating unit against all targets. If a hole can be punched in Leang's base perimeter, a single fully loaded example can wreak havoc within. 
**Combat Chinooks can be used to great effect (since they are produced from the Supply Center, which must be constructed early, and the War Factory is necessary anyway, since as Avengers will be needed for base defense) if Particle Cannons are used to shut off Leang's power supply, as they constitute most of her base' air defenses. Each Combat Chinook should be filled with 11 Missile Defenders (1 in Chinook, 10 in 2 Humvees) and 1 Pathfinder (to kill off RPG Troopers/Tank Hunters). Without the Patriots and Gattling Cannons, the Combat Chinooks' infantry payload will make short work of her Dozers and any structures. From there, it's easy to improvise - Prioritize hunting down any Dozers and destroy her Command Centers/War Factories/Air Fields to leave them with free reign over the map. Even if they do fall, they can secure victory if she can no longer replace lost structures.
*Some Auroras may have to be sacrificed to reset superweapon timers. With his aircraft discount, this is less painful for Granger.
*There are a number of anti-air units roaming the map. Gatling Tanks can be taken out if they are alone, but Avengers are extremely dangerous.
*At least one Tomahawk is recommended in the east for eliminating siege units, as well as any units that park on the ridge overlooking the base from the city.
====General Townes (Laser)====
As always, Townes has to be mindful of his power supply and not place plants too close together where they will become vulnerable to her General's Powers attacks. 
*The Laser Turret is pretty expensive in terms of power consumption and doesn't have the best range. Try to add a few other units for defense. At least four are required to work on their own.
*Take full advantage of the Avenger discount and set them up early.
*While the Laser Tank is a capable weapon, it burdens the power supply considerably at a time when the player needs electricity for particle cannons. Aside from that, a ground assault is simply too costly to be effective. Instead, they are best used to aid defensive efforts. They are capable of destroying Leang's oncoming heavy armor, although they have to be supported against infantry and rocket strikes.
*Without Tomahawks (which Leang has access to), Townes has to lean heavily on the Avenger and either Colonel Burton or the somewhat vulnerable Comanches to destroy Leang's siege units. Both will have to be micromanaged. 
*With room for only a single airfield, it is recommended that the player build 4 raptors for perimeter patrol in order to assist the capable but power hungry and short-range laser units. This eliminates the possibility of using a one-way Aurora strike to reset a superweapon, but there are other options. The Raptors generally need little babysitting, and the time saved can be used to conduct operations against Leang's outlying forces or set up supply-gathering operations in the east.
====Alexis Alexander (Superweapon)====
With her superweapon discount, effective defenses and the fact that her force does not require much space, Alexander is a very good match against Leang.
*Both Colonel Burton and Particle Cannons are discounted. Use them wisely.
*The Aurora Alpha is far more destructive than the original, and since it also enters supersonic flight several seconds after its attack run, it can possibly survive the return trip for another strike.
*The EMP Patriots have an easier time handling enemy armor, and will effectively prevent any Overlords from popping out of the Sneak Attack tunnel. However, they will not stop Leang's carpet bomber or rocket buggy barrages, and must eventually be supplemented with Avengers.
*With her capable defenses and efficient power plant, it is somewhat easier to expand into and defend the eastern region, if desired. It is possible to win the match building only in the starting area, however.