V3 rocket launcher

The V3 rocket launcher is a Soviet artillery vehicle in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 and Yuri's Revenge.
== Official description ==
==Game unit==
Of all the main siege units, the V3 launcher has by far the longest range and damage per shot. Additionally the vehicle is relatively cheap to build. An elite V3 can obliterate most structures in one to four shots, and mass groups of them can overwhelm all but the most overtly reinforced base defenses, especially since they are the only primary land based siege unit capable of firing upon the Grand Cannon from outside its range. V3 launchers have no problem shooting targets at different elevations (higher or lower ground).
==Counters==
As typical with many artillery based units, the V3 Launcher comes with several vulnerabilities despite its power. It is unable to protect itself at close range, and can be destroyed very quickly by pretty much anything that can fire on it, which is made worse with its very light armor and when it is open to attack while the launcher is reloading. Due to improvements in targeting technology (and lack of speed produced by rocket booster) by the time of the Third World War, it was possible for the rockets to be shot down mid-flight. Interestingly, the missiles moved in a ballistic trajectory, not a conventional launch-level-dive attack, which in effect lengthened the delivery time, allowing AA defenses to mow down the missiles before reaching the target. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to support V3s with other units like Rhino tanks.
==Glitches==
There is a glitch in V3's flying mechanics. When a group of V3 launchers is shooting at a single target, it is possible that a single V3 rocket may deviate from the target, keep flying upward until it leaves the theater screen, clearing some area from its fog of war. This may have something to do with V3 missile stacking limits.
Another glitch happens when a V3 is ordered to attack any target within its range, provided that the V3 is not facing the target's direction. At the exact moment the V3 faces towards the target (the rocket is not launched yet), order the V3 to go anywhere (even to the edge of the map) and let it stop there. The V3's rocket will automatically launch and the missile will head towards the target and even leaves the theater screen. If the V3 is facing the opposite direction where the target is, the rocket will turn and still head for it.
== AI behavior ==
V3 launchers controlled by the AI have the following attack patterns:
=== Easy ===
* 2x targeting base defenses
=== Medium ===
* 2x targeting base defenses, accompanied by 2 Flak Tracks
=== Hard ===
* 3x targeting base defenses, accompanied by 2 Tesla Troopers and 2 Flak Tracks
==Background==
V3 launchers were widely used in the Soviet invasion of the United States. A number of them were deployed to besiege New York City in the beginning of the attack and were responsible for the destruction of the Statue of Liberty. They had since been seen in every Allied mission as they attempted to dislodge Allied positions, often without success.
In the non-canon Soviet campaign, V3 launchers were first deployed during Operation: Big Apple, where they assisted in reaching the Allied battle lab between the Twin Towers. It remained to be a valuable weapon in the commander's arsenal for the rest of the campaign.
==Aftermath==
In the alternate timeline, the V3 launcher was succeeded by the V4 rocket launcher, which combined the missile trajectory of the V3 and the V2's characteristic of enemy AA being unable to shoot down the launched missile.
== Quotes ==
Note: in Red Alert 2, the V3 rocket launcher shares its quotes with the Rhino heavy tank.
===When selected===
*Ready for launch!
*Armed for destruction!
*Rockets fueled and ready!
*V3 launch unit!
*Let's keep our distance.
===When moving===
*Advancing to new location.
*Moving to new launch site.
*Not too close, please!
*Repositioning!
===When ordered to attack===
*Missile launch confirmed!
*Trajectory set!
*We have ignition!
*Sending air mail!
*Warhead primed!
==Gallery==
File:V3RocketLauncher RA2 Art1.jpg|Installation slide
V3 Voxel Render.jpg|Voxel
File:RA2_V3_Concept_Art.jpg|Concept art
File:V-3 launching.jpg|V3 rocket launching
File:CNCRA2 V3 Rocket Launcher alpha.png|Alpha appearance
===Cameos===
Alpha cameo:
==Trivia==
*In reality, while the V2 was a German V-weapon, known in the original German as Vergeltungswaffen, the V-3 cannon was a supergun designed to fire on Allied cities in WW2.
*In the cutscenes, the V3 launchers are played by modeled after real-life SA-2 SAM missile launchers.
*Boomer's, Dreadnought's and V3's missiles are not regular game Projectiles, they're actually just suicide aircraft types fired at the target and spawned by their units much like Hornets and Ospreys are spawned by Aircraft Carriers and Destroyers; only difference is those last two are set to return to their spawners, the Missiles aren't.
**This is the reason why the Boomer, Dreadnought and V3 missiles can be shot down, unlike other projectiles fired by units (including LimboLaunch-ed units like Dogs, Terror Drones and Giant Squid) which can't be touched even with Nukes as the Westwood C&C engine has no mechanics in place to allow interception or destruction of actual Projectiles, although that logic is added in the fan-made engine extension Phobos DLL.
==See also==
*Prism tank, Allied counterpart
*Magnetron, Yuri counterpart
*V2 rocket launcher
*V4 rocket launcher
Category:Red Alert 2 vehicles