Nuke Cannon

The Mother of all weapons.

128 (Elite)

171 (Heroic)

384 (Heroic)

Radiation Defense (Tao)

## Introduction

The **Nuke Cannon** is a Chinese heavy artillery unit. Only Tao and Leang have it in their arsenal.

## Overview

The Nuke Cannon is a nuclear-based artillery siege vehicle that has a very blocky trapezium-shaped chassis and uses four tank tracks to move. Its main weapon is an artillery cannon used to fire uranium-tipped shells that act as a nuclear bomb. To fire the cannon, the vehicle will slowly deploy its stabilizers before firing. The shells are made of uranium and iron, meaning detectors for the intercepting lasers can destroy it, effectively making it able to always hit an intended target.

Arguably the most powerful standard siege unit in *Contra*, the Nuke Cannon fires a tactical 280mm nuclear shell capable of tearing almost everything in its large blast radius asunder and leaving lethal radiations after impact; all that from a long and safe distance. However, this unit has a few flaws: it needs to deploy before firing - which takes time - and has weak armor and a minimum range so enemy fast attack units can rush and destroy it easily. Furthermore, the radiations created by its projectiles can harm allied units if they're not careful enough.

## Variants

General Shin Fai originally can field a variant of the Nuke Cannon known as the Neutron Cannon once he reaches rank 5, which as its name suggests fires Neutron Shells only, making it lethal against ground units but useless against structures. This unit has been removed from General Fai's arsenal and replaced with the Mobile Barracks, but is still seen in his General's Challenge, guarding his base. The Neutron Cannon is visually identical to the Nuke Cannon and also shares its voice lines with the Nuke Cannon.

## Upgrades

**Neutron Shells**

* Allows the Nuke Cannon to fire Neutron Shells, kills infantries instantly and depilots enemy vehicles, available at the Nuclear Missile Silo at Rank 5.

## Assessment

Pros:

* The most powerful tier 3 artillery unit.
* Fairly long firing range, can destroy base defences without fear of retaliation.
* A single shell can destroy almost everything that stands within its large blast radius.
* Its projectiles leave radiation fields after impact, thus it's possible to use it as an area denial weapon.
* Can be upgraded to fire Neutron shells to depilot vehicles.

Cons:

* Expensive (2000$).
* Poorly armored.
* Has minimal range and is vulnerable to fast attack units and air strikes.
* Very slow and cumbersome, needs to deploy/pack-up.
* Allies can be harmed by the radiations left by its shells.
* Mid-late game unit, only available after reaching rank 3 and building a Propaganda Center.

## Quotes (In English)

The Nuke Cannon reuses its vanilla *Zero Hour* lines.

### When Selected

* We bear gifts.
* Nuke warheads preserved.
* They will never forget.
* We will be generous.
* The Mother of all weapons.

### When Ordered to Move

* Green is good.
* Where shall we prepare?
* Be careful, she's fragile.
* Precious cargo.

### When Ordered to Attack

* Brighter than the sun!
* Brace yourselves!
* Morning glory.
* This day is to be remembered.
* The final word.

## Quotes (in native Chinese language)

For some reason, Native quotes are much more normal sounding (i.e. like a normal human being talking) than the Vanila ZH English quotes.

### When selected

* 首长，什么事？
* 随时可以投入战斗。
* 这是我们自己的核大炮。
* 哦，核武器可不是开玩笑的。

### When Ordered to Move

* 马上到达阵地。
* 遵命！
* 请派遣护卫。
* 目标在哪？

### When Ordered to Attack

* 进攻开始。
* 让他们尝尝核大炮的威力！
* 把他们夷为平地！

## Trivia

* The icon image was based on the 280mm Atomic Cannon fired during the Upshot-Knothole Grable test in 1953. The M65 might have inspired the creation of the Nuke Cannon.