Ranger (Generals)

Rangers are USA's basic infantry in Generals.
==Background==
US Army Rangers are some of the most elite infantrymen in the American military and the frontline infantry deployed during the GLA Conflict. They are equipped with M16A2 assault rifles and wear PASGT vests and helmets for protection. In addition to being deployed by the USA, Chinese General "Tigress" Leang has command over a detachment of Rangers, which she uses in place of the standard Chinese Red Guard.
==Game unit==
Generally the same as the GLA Rebel and Chinese Red Guard in terms of firepower, the Ranger the most expensive base infantry unit at $225 each. They have the same training time as the Rebel and inflict similar damage. Rangers may also be created free by using the paradrop General's power, which can deploy them anywhere on the map. Rangers used in massive numbers can be a threat to vehicle and light tanks, while the Flashbang upgrade makes even small numbers of Rangers highly effective against both patrolling and garrisoned infantry. While they have unique abilities, against specialized anti-personnel weapons, the Ranger is extremely vulnerable. 
===Abilities===
===Upgrades===
===Usage===
Garrisoned in buildings or bunkers, Rangers can be very dangerous against other infantry or some tanks. They are completely useless against any aircraft and fall relatively quickly in small groups. The Rangers' short range means they are highly vulnerable against artillery. Rangers are more effective when crewed inside Humvees, from which they can shoot while enjoying the protection and mobility of the vehicle. 
The Ranger may instantly clear garrisoned structures from a distance with flash-bang grenades. The flash-bang may be used to clear out Stinger Sites, but it seems in some versions of the game, this ability was removed. In later versions however, Rangers in Zero Hour could garrison a building with flash-bangs. 
It is also worth noting that when using flash-bangs the unit has improved range compared to his assault rifle, however unlike the rifle attack which cannot miss its target, the flash bang grenade takes time to reach its target and enemy personnel may sometimes be able to move out of the aim point in time to survive, due to it not being adjustable while in flight. The flash-bang grenade has an area of effect impact damage, which may compensate for the delayed time to target.
Rangers have the unique ability exclusive to USA generals: the Chinook Combat Drop. When in an airborne Chinook, the Chinook will fly directly over the targeted civilian building or area and the Rangers within will rappel down into the garrisoned building, killing any enemy infantry within and garrisoning the structure themselves. Note: ONLY the Rangers will do the Combat drop. Any other infantry will remain behind in the Chinook. Some specialized enemy bunkers are protected against this attack, however.
Like the Rebel and Red Guard, they can be upgraded to capture enemy structures or neutral tech structures on the map. They are vulnerable during this procedure, which takes up to , a full minute. Like all infantry, they can also crew or recapture recapture neutralized (driverless) vehicles disabled by Jarmen Kell or the Neutron Shell attack.
==Quotes==
===Cut quotes===
==Changelog==
*Zero Hour patch 1.03: 
**General Granger now uses his own Rangers
**flash-bangs no longer damage Chinooks
**increased flash-bang primary damage from 25 to 35
==Trivia==
* Rangers are the first units that the player uses in Generals, being available as the starting units in the Generals' training level.
* The Flash Bang grenades were originally designed as USA's method to incapacitate enemy infantry so they could be captured as POWs. When the mechanic was scrapped, they were repurposed as lethal anti-infantry weapons.
* The United States Army Rangers in real life are not basic infantry; they fall under the umbrella of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The Rangers themselves are elite light infantry and are closer to commandos, much like Burton, than the front-line grunts shown in Generals. However it is possible that it wasn't supposed to be viewed as a front-line grunt and more of the special forces soldiers as evidenced by the fact that one of its quotes are "Special Forces here!".
* Apparently, the Ranger was supposed to mount a snowbike under snow conditions. This was more than likely planned for all infantry, rather than just this one. However, there would be all kinds of issues with it (like snowbikes entering transport vehicles), which was likely why the idea was abandoned.
* The weapon shown in the picture is the M16A2 assault rifle, however, the weapon shown on the button when you want to switch back the normal weapon is an M249 Para, which seems more likely, as in both the game and in real life since the preferred weapon of special forces and even grunts are light machine guns that can provide much more firepower than a regular assault rifle, especially in urban medium-medium close range engagements. Rangers can parachute out of planes and the M249 Para is a modified version of the normal M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) which is a preferred firearm of many special forces and grunts, alike, thanks to its firepower. The LSAT utilizing caseless ammunition is starting to replace SAWs and Paras thanks to its lighter weight of its ammo, meaning LMG gunners can carry more ammunition and other equipment.
* Rangers shoulder their primary weapons instead of poise them while not firing. One possible reason is their primary weapons are M249 machine guns which are too heavy to be constantly poised.
* Rangers will emerge from most American structures if they are destroyed, a feature unique to the USA faction. 
* According to Zero Hour's sound files, General Townes was to have access to Laser Rangers, which attack their targets with lasers.
===Bugs===
* The Ranger's Flash-Bang ability can sometimes backfire due to graphics defects, and flash bangs fired from buildings can hit the parent structure, killing all units with friendly fire.
==Gallery==
GensZHSnowbikeRanger.png|Snowbike Ranger
WEB_CHEMIN_5101_1259230868.jpg|Concept art
Gen1_Ranger_German_Icons.jpg|German cameo
Ranger_(Generals)_Idle.png|Idle Rangers
Ranger_(Generals)_Fire.png|Ranger engaging the enemy
Ranger_(Generals)_Fire Flashbang.png|Ranger launching flash-bang grenades
Generals_CivilanBuilding_flashbanged.png|Flash-banged building
Ranger_(Generals)_Move.png|Ranger on the move
Ranger_(Generals)_Dying.png|Heavily injured Ranger
Ranger_(Generals)_Die.png|Dead Ranger
==See also==
* Red Guard, Chinese counterpart
* Rebel, GLA counterpart
Category:Generals 1 infantry
ru:Рейнджер (Generals)