Cyborg

17 (Elite)

23 (Heroic)

60000 (Heroic)

More durable than normal infantry

Improved Hydraulics

Drone Uplink Chip

## Introduction

The **Cyborg** is General Ironhand's basic infantry.

## Overview

Of all American standard footmen, the Cyborg is arguably the most powerful, the toughest and the fastest. Although they come out of the Cyborg Factory with really slow speed at first, the upgrade Improved Hydraulics will help them fix that issue and make them move faster than a normal Ranger. Their heavy duty cybernetic augmentations not only make them fast but also considerably durable, resistant to toxic areas and they punch more damage, whether it be the compact minigun stored in their right arm or the automatic grenade launcher. These soldiers are the best depiction of Ironhand's ideal of an "Army of the Future", although their background is rather sinister. According to Ironhand's "recruiting methods", Cyborgs seemed not to be left much choice about their transition into deadly semi human/machine supersoldiers. However they perform very well on the battlefield and the results speak for themselves. General Ironside himself was impressed enough to upgrade his own men with some cybernetic augmentations.

Despite their overall superhuman constitution, they are not invincible and they are very expensive for what they are. Just like any other basic infantry unit, they can die to anti-infantry weapons, artillery shells or toxins and radiations. The only difference is that they are just harder to kill that way. An opponent would have more trouble in getting rid of those units so they can be a strategically and tactically advantageous asset if micromanaged correctly. Also, it is important to note that unlike Rangers, they cannot fast rope down civilian buildings. Should the player need them to garrison a building, they will have to rely on grenades but once they are inside, even anti-garrison units will have the hardest time trying to get them out.

## Upgrades

* **Capture Building** - The Cyborg can capture enemy buildings except Command Centers. Unlocked via the Cyborg Factory.
* **Flash Bang Grenades** - Equips the Cyborg with flashbang grenades in order to increase effectiveness against infantry and garrisons. Unlocked via the Cyborg Factory.
* **Drone Uplink Chip** - Cyborgs can equip themselves with drones. Unlocked via the Cyborg Factory.
* **Improved Hydraulics** - Increases the Cyborg's movement speed. Unlocked via the Strategy Center at rank 3.

## Assessment

Pros:

* Very powerful basic infantry.
* Very durable basic infantry.
* Very resistant to toxins and radiation.
* Can move faster than a normal Ranger once Improved Hydraulics upgrade is purchased.
* Can garrison buildings.
* Can clear garrisons with flashbang grenades.
* Can capture tech buildings.

Cons:

* Very slow until Improved Hydraulics upgrade is purchased.
* Still slightly vulnerable to anti-infantry units and artillery.
* Despite being more resistant to toxins and radiation, they're still vulnerable to them and will fall quickly if remaining in a contaminated area for too long.
* Somewhat expensive for a basic infantry unit (350$).

## Trivia

* The Cyborg's model is based upon Cyborg from DC Comics.
* His compact minigun might be inspired by one the *Deus Ex: Human Revolution* antagonistic characters Lawrence Barrett's minigun.
* Ironside's Rangers use the *007 Version* Cyborg's cameo.