Obelisk of Light (Tiberium Wars)

The "Isis" Obelisk of Light. C&C Frontpage (2010-03-14). Mirror: Nod Obelisk of Light. is a powerful defensive structure used by Nod in the Third Tiberium War.
==Background==
The terrifying power of this heavy defensive structure is a shining testament to Nod's military application of laser technology. The Obelisk's basic design is largely unchanged since its introduction in the First Tiberium War, with the only obvious differences being a longer charge time and a more powerful discharge.
===Conception===
First constructed to defend Nod bases during the First Tiberium War, this iconic structure is one of the best known and least loved among GDI forces. Massive capacitors charge and discharge a laser - which is aimed by advanced focusing and targeting systems - that can melt composite armor to molten slag and vaporize organic tissue.
Nod Beam Cannons, sharing the similar technology on these towers, can use their ability to fire at these towers. This improves charge frequency and damage up to the point where the Obelisks become practically immobile, very high damage artillery emplacements with higher precision, damage, and range than any other base defense structure.Electronic Arts Los Angeles, Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars. Intelligence Database: Kane's Arsenal, "Obelisk of Light".
==Game Structure==
The Obelisk of Light is the most advanced base defense Nod can deploy. Groups of Obelisks of Light are very hazardous to any ground unit within their long range, even Epic Units (when in large enough groups).
Unlike other base defenses, the Obelisk has two modes of attack:
* When engaging vehicles, the tower will charge and then fire a strong beam to deal damage to a single enemy unit. This is often enough to destroy light and medium vehicles in a single hit. It is probably the most powerful and cost effective base defense in a 1-on-1 fight with an enemy vehicle, overall.
* When attacking infantry, the Obelisk will not charge at all. Instead, it will fire a briefly sustained beam that sweeps enemy squads horizontally, allowing it to kill multiple soldiers at once. This is presumably to help with balance, as Tiberium Wars is the first game in the franchise where infantry are trained in squads instead of as individual soldiers, and the Obelisk would have been much more easily to overwhelm otherwise.
Like all advanced defenses, the power consumption of the Obelisk of Light is very high, and due to its low fire rate it may be useful to supplement an Obelisk with lower tier ground defenses (which fire more rapidly).
Having a Beam Cannon charge an Obelisk will give it a firepower and fire rate boost, which generally proves to be a more powerful combination than if the Beam Cannon were to attack separately alongside the Obelisk.
Like the GDI Watchtower, the Obelisk can fire over other structures. When placed behind disposable structures (i.e. Tiberium Silos), they can force their enemies to sustain damage while they attempt to break down the impeding structure.
However, the Obelisk remains vulnerable to the same weapons as their counterparts in other factions. Obelisks are unable to fire at aircraft, and unless backed by SAM turrets or any other anti-air weapons, can be disassembled easily. Additionally, artillery units (such as GDI Juggernauts) are capable of outranging the Obelisk and tearing it down with impunity.
Due to how the Obelisk's anti-tank weapon focuses down a single target, it is also possible for a cunning enemy commander to use a vehicular unit as a "damage sponge" and destroy the Obelisk using other units or weapons while it is distracted. Steel Talons commanders especially can use this tactic, due to how their Mammoth Tanks can be fitted with Adaptive Armor, which makes it far harder for the Obelisk to destroy them.
==Changelog==
* Kane's Wrath patch 1.02: cost/build time increased to $2000/20 sec
==Gallery==
ObeliskofLight Concept.jpg|Concept art
TWIII-obelisk.jpg|Concept art
Obelisk.jpg|Firing
OOL I.jpg|An Obelisk of Light destroying an enemy GDI vehicle
OOL II.jpg|Obelisks fending off a Scrin attack
TW_Obelisk_of_Light_support_by_Beam_Cannon.jpg|Obelisk of Light supported by Beam Cannon
==See also==
* Sonic emitter, advanced GDI defensive emplacement
* Storm column, advanced Scrin defensive emplacement
* Tesla Coil (Red Alert 2), similar Soviet defense in Red Alert 2 that can also be charged
==References==
Category:Tiberium Wars support structures