Human commander

**Human commander** is a unit in *Dark Colony*.

## Background

Trained at the Area-51 Military Academy, the human commanders are equipped with an electromagnetic carbine pulse rifle that launches titanium shells at a speed roughly nine times the speed of sound. Their titanium polymer composite combat armor is a similar assembly to regular troopers: It comes with a backpack-mounted life support unit and a helmet assembly with three redundant breathing tubes, a polarized visor, and a thick helmet. Complementing this is combat webbing containing backup magazines and grenade rounds.

## Gameplay

Commanders are a crucial element of gameplay, especially in single player. Their rank is determined by their combat performance in the campaign. All start at Lieutenant and if the commander gains enough kills or witnesses enough enemy units destroyed, they can go up in rank, which unlocks a better primary weapon and additional abilities. Experience is deducted for friendly unit losses and it is possible to go down in rank during the campaign.

If a commander's health pool is depleted, he is wounded and evacuated from the battlefield. No experience is granted in this case.

* The commander makes an excellent early game scout before making ospreys. However make sure to keep an eye on him otherwise you lose a valuable irreplaceable asset since you cannot create commanders
* When facing large amounts of enemy troops make sure to inspire your troops. Inspired troops attack faster and do more damage
* The commander is the third fastest unit in the game. Capable of outrunning heavy units, infantry and even snipers.
* Since the commander can out range regular infantry. you can kite regular infantry by attacking twice and moving back. same with heavies
* Since the commander is quick. sometimes during infantry battles its best to let the commander take the initial hits in order for the infantry to move in closer for more damage output. However its not recommended to try against heavies since they deal alot more damage.
* The commander can change the tide of battle. having one in any engagement gives you the edge. Likewise taking out an enemy commander will cripple the enemy

### Ranks and abilities

* Lieutenant: Inspire troops.
* Captain: Inspire troops, call down Angel One reinforcements (two troopers).
* Major: Inspire troops, call down Angel One reinforcements (two troopers, Reaper).
* Colonel: Inspire troops, call down Angel One reinforcements (two troopers, Reaper, Barrager).

### Awards(campaign only)

Each award increases the effect of the Inspire Troops command.

* Mars Theater Medal: Given for campaign service on Mars
* Battle Star: Given for a large number of kills on a single mission
* Command Star: Given for a huge number of kills on a single mission
* Star of Valor: Given for an unbelievable number of kills over the course of the campaign
* Order of Humanity: Awarded for accomplishing a scientific task during the campaign, for example, the discovery of important artifacts.
* Celestial Crescent: The highest possible medal given by the Earth.

## Trivia

* The commander's health bar is unique in that it's a star. However, should the commander inspire surrounding troops they will also gain a star health bar to indicate they are inspired temporarily
* The higher the commander rank the more troops can be inspired
* Each additional chevron above the commander indicates rank. the more chevrons the higher the rank
* There are multiple commanders throughout the game. The most notable ones are: The Stratus commander Tick, The players Pan Luma commander and other Aerogen commanders.
* The Stratus commander that the player rescues in the early missions is commander Tick. That is the last time the player ever encounters any human commander in game
* During the second mission, once it's complete a second Pan Luman commander arrives to relieve the player of guarding that sector.
* The commanders inspire sound "Make em bleed" is most likely a reference to the film *Predator*.
* The human commander is one of the 2 units that are different from the Taar in the game, the other being the Reaper.

## Gallery

* Interface portrait
* Selection appearance