Advanced Construction Aircraft is a unit that opens you the window to most of the T2 economy and defensive structures. In most situations when you get one, start from updating your metal extractors, geothermal powerplants and then make fusion reactors and advanced metal makers. It has a higher buildpower than its T1 version and boosts your metal and energy storage by 50. As an air constructor it has the advantage of being able to quickly access all spots on the map. Use it in packs for faster expansion in remote areas. It has a lower buildpower than land constructors.

Advanced Construction Bot is a unit that opens the door to the T2 economy and high-level defensive structures.

In most situations when you get one, start upgrading your:

1. T1 metal extractors to T2 Moho mines
2. Build Advanced geothermal powerplants
3. Build fusion reactors in combination with advanced metal makers.

It has a higher buildpower than its T1 version and boosts your metal and energy storage by 100.

Advanced Construction Sub is the T2 sea constructor. Their typical first tasks are upgrading your metal extractors, building fusion reactors and then advanced metal makers.

They have a higher build power than the T1 Construction Ship and grant a small boost to both your metal and energy storage. Guard them with other constructors or naval engineers to assist with building.

In addition to T2 economy structures, they are able to build advanced torpedo launchers and the underwater experimental gantry.

Converts 600 energy into 10.3 metal per second

The Advanced Exploiter is an armed and armored Advanced metal extractor. Built by all T2 land and air constructors, they combine the extraction rate of a regular Advanced metal extractor with a powerful defensive pop-up turret. It remains hidden until the enemy moves into range.

While looking like harmless metal extractors, they have potential to ambush and quickly neutralize hostile units. The turret is a double weapon composed of a heavy laser and a missile launcher with both ground and air functionality.

Being a burst weapon the launcher adds to the ambushing potential, the damage is heavily front-loaded leaving very little time to react and retreat.

Advanced Exploiters also have a decent amount of health which makes them withstand much more damage than regular extractors. This versatility comes at a very high metal cost, so they are typically not worth building during the initial T2 expansion.

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Aggravator is a light rocket bot used mainly To push the front-line towards the opponent’s base. It can out range light laser turrets so if your enemy expands solely with a Commander, Aggravators can force him to retreat. In bigger numbers and with repairing support of resurrection bots they are able to take down more advanced defensive structures.

Very ineffective against fast mobile units, watch out for Grunts / Pawns!

To protect them use your Commander & Constructors to build progressing defense. In comparison to their Armada counterpart Rocketeers they are a bit slower, but stronger..

Agitator is the T1 long-range plasma battery. Built by all land/air cons it serves a very situational purpose.

It can be set to high trajectory for bigger damage and AoE, but lower fire rate and accuracy. This is helpful when you have to shoot over obstacles.

It can overshoot all T1 structures and units, but keep in mind that it requires a lot of metal to build. In most cases this metal is better spent into mobile units or tech advancement.

Building it to protect your base area is usually a big waste, better resort to laser turrets for this purpose. However, making it on extended front, or in range of enemy economy may end up winning you a game.

Pretty useless when T2 arrives. Consider reclaiming it to get your metal back!

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Alligator is a medium amphibious tank. Equipped with a decent amount of hitpoints and a good plasma weapon it is the best amphibious unit cost-to-cost. Use it as the main part of your amphibious infantry. Combine with Poison Arrow and amphibious AA like Trashers to get a powerful and self-sufficient strike force.

Angler is a torpedo bomber. It has no weapon to fight against land units. However it is able to deal massive damage to any ship/submarine/amphibious unit. Torpedoes need a long open path to drop and accelerate in water. Therefore don’t try to drop them flying from the side of the shore line as they will just get stuck in sand.

Torpedo Bombers are able to attack underwater units without support since they are equipped with sonar and increased sight range.

Apocalypse is the ICBM nuclear missile silo. Built by all T2 land/air constructors it produces missiles that can hit anywhere on the map and turn whole bases and armies into ashes. It can be countered by anti-nukes within their limited range. Apocalypse has a bigger AoE than its Armada counterpart – Armageddon. In many situations it is even able to destroy two bases at once if they are built in vicinity.

Always make sure that your enemy is unaware of you building it, because anti-nukes are faster to build and load.

Stockpiling a nuke takes 180s, an anti-nuke – 90s. Few units may survive the nuke blast – Commanders, Titans, Juggernauts and heavier battleships. You can use EMP missiles or spy-bots to temporarily disable anti-nukes and strike uncovered areas.

Arbiter is a long-range heavy rocket bot that shoots its missiles far to the skies to let them hit from a big angle. This way it is able to target remote structures and units covered by walls and high hilltops.

Able to overshoot most defensive structures – use it to break enemy defense line.

They are very fragile and useless against mobile units, therefore always keep them covered with short range infantry like Sumos.

Arrow Storm is an anti-air ship. Wielding a mighty flak cannon and light missile launcher the Arrow Storm is capable of obliterating entire waves of enemy aircraft. Light aircraft disintegrate like confetti and even heavier aircraft fall from the sky under the hail of fire from the Arrow Storm.

Include at least one of these in their fleets to help destroy the enemy even when in the skies.

Augur is a mobile radar bot. Always have at least one in your artillery / infantry combos. It doesn’t have any weapon of its own and has rather low HP, but having intel on your enemies whereabouts can be very crucial.

Always try to keep it a bit behind your fighting troops.

Banisher Is a heavy missile tank. It is equipped with a homing rocket launcher this can shoot over a decent range. Its missiles deal very high damage and can take down T1 units with a single shot. Its homing missiles are very efficient even against quick and mobile targets. However, they take quite some time to reload (7.5 seconds). Therefore,  they are not really designed for close-quarters combat. Always keep them covered with other infantry units.

Basilisk is a long range plasma cannon (LRPC). Built by all T2 land/air cons it is able to shoot targets across the map.

On most battlefields placing it on the frontline enables you to take down buildings in enemy’s base. Not very effective on mobile targets.

When built, it immediately becomes a priority target for your foes, try to keep it safe.

Can be countered with plasma deflectors, but those come at a high cost.

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Bedbug is a crawling bomb designed for one purpose – to go kamikaze on enemy units and structures. It deals significant damage in a large radius when it explodes and even bigger when you self-destruct it in time.

If used in a pack remember to spread them to avoid chaining.

Thanks to their amphibious attribute they prove very helpful in attacking and regaining sea territory.

Birdshot is a short range anti-air turret that can deal ludicrous amounts of AoE damage. Built by all T2 land/air cons it is able to shatter most aircrafts within its range.  Best DPS/cost ratio among all AA, but also - short range.

Build it around strategic point-targets and frontline defenses.

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Black Hydra is the CORTEX flagship. They are the most powerful ships and arguably the most powerful units available. They combine awesome fire power with exceedingly long range. Construct one of these and watch as your enemy fleet pales into insignificance.

They are equipped with two plasma cannon turrets, laser turrets and even a small anti-air missile launcher. Their main cannon range exceeds even that of the missile cruisers and possess such might that plasma shields will provide only a temporary respite from the shells.

While the cannons obliterate targets from afar the lasers give the Black Hydra incredible lethality at shorter ranges too. Owing to the range and mobility a Black Hydra is able to destroy any T3 unit they clash with, as long as it doesn't get too close.

They achieve maximum damage when oriented to their targets from the broadside, so they are able to shoot all cannons and lasers at once.

While they are also equipped with medium anti-air missile launchers they are still vulnerable to heavier aircraft and possess no anti-submarine weaponry so never leave them bereft of an escort.

The Brute is a medium assault tank. It has a relatively high HP so it should always be kept in the first line to sink in all damage. Useful for taking down light defenses with its sheer force. If not micro-ed well, Brutes can be easily D-Gunned, so try to keep enemy Commanders at a distance.

Combine with Lashers (rocket vehicle) or Wolverines (artillery) for a great front-line push or use large packs for raiding enemy bases.

Don't forget to bring some constructors with your assault for repairing and reclaiming wrecks.

Buccaneer is a medium assault cruiser. Positioned as an upgraded version of Destroyers and a frequent part of any T2 naval group. Wielding a medium-range plasma cannon, a pair of light laser turrets and a depth charge launcher the cruiser is a flexible vessel. They are the fastest T2 ship and useful for rushing your opponent in the initial T2 naval warfare phase. They can easily take out any T1 units while also offering protection against both hovercraft and submarines.

Bulwark is a multi-weapon tower. Built by all T2 land/air cons it packs three types of laser turrets that can aim and shoot independently.

First, the tachyon accelerator for long-range highly damaging outbursts.

Secondly, a high energy laser turret for mid-range.

Finally, a double light laser turret for short range anti-swarm purposes. It can deal with most T2 units and even light T3.

When switched off, if hides its turrets under heavy armor. Use it to soak big amounts of damage when targeted, while your other defensive structures do all the work.

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Buzzsaw is the ultimate weapon of mass-destruction. Built by all T2 land/air cons it is basically a spinning wheel of Intimidator plasma cannons that can shoot across the map and tear down whole bases. It takes giant resources to build but when it is in place it basically wins you a game.

However, remember that it consumes great amounts of energy to shoot (16000 energy/shot), hence don’t build it if your income is below 32k energy.

Shoots a little bit faster than its BLUE counterpart – Vulcan.

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Catalyst is a tactical nuke launcher and one of Cortexes signature units, unique in its function.

Built by all T2 land/air cons it can strike with light nuclear missiles within a huge range. It is able to overshoot all T1 and T2 defenses so it serves a great role in dismantling heavy defense lines and destroying strategic targets such as Pulsars.

A skilled player may even use it as a defensive unit. If you can extrapolate where incoming units are going to be located 10 seconds from now – you can hit them with an unexpected lethal strike. It stockpiles 1 missile in 75 seconds.

When self-destructed, Catalyst explodes almost like a regular nuke. Use it as a last resort weapon when you know you can’t hold the defense line.

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Cerberus is an intimidating long-range plasma weapon mounted on top of a geothermal powerplant. Built by all T2 land/air cons it is able to overshoot all T1 and T2 defenses and deal great AoE damage to units and structures. On top of good defense it serves a function of a basic energy source producing 450 Energy/second. Very effective in protecting high-ground and other strategic positions. Build it instead of Advanced Geothermal powerplant in hazardous areas.

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Decoy Commander is just a fake commander. It may build most of the units, the real one can (+mines) and it serves the function of confusing your opponent.

It is reasonable to build it when you have your last commander, so the enemy might get tricked and focus fire on the fake one.

The Decoy Commander has a lot of buildpower and is very good to assist in late-game mass-production.

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Commando is one of the most fun units in the game. It is the only bot that can survive falling from a shot-down air transporter. Also it has a personal radar and radar-jamming device.

Use this fact to drop it straight into an unprotected enemy base and tear it down with mines » The Commando can build medium mines.

Pro players use it to “steal” resources. To do that, damage a structure until it has few % of HP and then reclaim it gaining all the tasty metal. Falls short in comparison with regular combat units. Try to avoid engaging with them.

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Condor is a radar and sonar plane that can locate land and underwater units. It has decent radar range and speed so it's the best unit you can use for scouting. Put a few in your fighterwall to have a permanent overview of the front, even when you lose the radars on land. Always send 1 or 2 with your bombing runs to locate targets for your strikeforce.

When hunting for a commander, the radar plane can locate it even if it’s cloaked. Its sonar ability can also be used to detect submarines and amphibious units.

A Construction Aircraft is able to build basic T1 structures like the ones made by the Commander. Moreover it can build some more advanced land and air defense towers, advanced solar generators and most importantly the T2 Aircraft Plant. Due to their speed, the highest amongst constructors, it may be used for quick expansions and reclaiming in areas far from your base. It can also access the whole map, as it doesn't care about any natural obstacles. It has a very low HP, so keep away from enemy's anti air units. Due to little build power you may want to use multiple air cons at once.

Each Construction Aircraft increases the player's energy and metal storage capacity by 25.

A construction Bot (con-bot) is able to build basic T1 structures like the ones made by the Commander. Moreover it can build some more advanced land and air defense towers, advanced solar generators and most importantly the T2 bot lab.

It is slightly slower and weaker than the equivalent vehicle constructor, but it can climb steeper hills, so it is effective in expansion on mountainous terrain. Each Construction bot increases the player's energy and metal storage capacity by 50.

It is wise to use pairs of con-bots for expansion, so they can heal each other and build defensive structures faster. This makes them immune to light assault units like Fleas / Rovers.

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The Construction Ship is a good builder in terms of build power and speed. Even a single one of these assisting the lab almost doubles its output of units provided that you have the resources. On top of Commander’s build list they're able to produce more advanced T1 defences like the Floating Heavy Laser Turret and give access to T2 Shipyard. It adds 50 to your metal and energy storage capability

Use them for assisting the lab and quickly expanding, claiming the metal spots with underwater metal extractors.

A construction vehicle is able to build basic T1 structures like the ones made by the Commander. Moreover it can build some more advanced land and air defense towers, advanced solar generators and most importantly the T2 Vehicle Lab. It is slightly faster and stronger than the Bot constructor, but it can not climb stepper hills, so it is effective only in expansion on relatively flat terrain.

Each Construction vehicle increases the player's energy and metal storage capacity by 50.

It is wise to use pairs of cons for expansion, so they can heal each other and build defensive structures faster. This makes them immune to light assault units like Fleas / Rover.

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The Commander is your most versatile and important unit and can be seen as your avatar on the battlefield.

The Commander is your starting unit from which all your other units decent. So apart form its other many roles and abilities, it is first and foremost a builder; and builds faster than any other unit. You will use it to start up a basic economy, and to build your first factory capable of manufacturing other mobile units.

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Death Cavalry is a stealthy resurrection submarine. They are not visible to units on the surface if your enemy doesn’t have sonar nearby. Use them as support to provide repairs, reclaiming and resurrecting wrecks. They are relatively cheap and provide essential support to your navy maneuvers, don't forget to mix them in your fleet. Don't forget however the high energy cost of building and using them.

Resurrecting requires 50% of unit's energy cost.

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Deceiver is a mobile radar-jamming device that can hide your units away from enemy’s radar. In combination with cloakable units like a Commander it makes them totally undetectable (if your enemy hasn't built the intrusion countermeasure system).

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Despot is a heavy battleship. They are equipped with a powerful long-range plasma cannon and heavy laser. They are masters of ship to ship warfare; sinking enemy ships with ease and even taking the fight to land based targets.

While their heavy armor makes them a difficult target to take down for most foes, Battle submarines are the natural enemy of the Despot as it cannot target the underwater vessel and will take significant damage from it.

Dragon a.k.a. The flying fortress it the heaviest and most dreadful of all aircrafts.

It can withstand incredible amounts of damage, making it virtually impossible to destroy without fighters or heavy AA like Screamers. It flies slowly, but leaves not a single living thing behind. With three independent heavy laser turrets it can obliterate whole armies of light units and deal significant damage even to T3 Mechs. Considered an endgame unit due to its super high cost.

Most often used for defending from ground units. In special cases, when your opponent has tons of ground AA, and you can’t get through with your bombers, Dragons make a good choice for a striking unit.

Dragon’s Maw is a pop-up flamethrower turret that can disguise itself as a harmless Dragon’s tooth. Built by all T1 cons it may surprise your opponent with its high AoE DPS, lethal to all T1 units.

When hidden in ground it may take in massive amounts of damage staying unharmed.

Great anti-swarm weapon.

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Slow but powerful amphibious bot

Equipped with a short-range heavy laser. Gimp is able to deal significant damage in close combat. On top of that it can also fight when underwater with its light torpedo launcher.

Gimp is pretty hard to spot when underwater, try to sneak in through the shoreline.

Converts 70 energy into 1 metal per second

Eradicator (Bomb-Resistant Medium-Range Missile Battery) is an expensive T1 anti-air tower that serves a very situational purpose. Built by all T1 land/air cons it has the highest DPS and range among all T1 AA.

When placed properly it may even take down a Liche (Nuclear bomber) before it hits.

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Exploiter is an armed metal extractor. Built by all T1 land/air cons it is basically a mex+LLT in one unit. Very useful to expand with in late T1 game. It is more expensive than a mex+LLT, however it is way more armored and can withstand higher damage. Don’t use in your early expansion, before you set up a good economy.

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Fiend is a very fast raider bot equipped with a flamethrower. It can be built from a T2 bot lab or by a Twitcher. One of the most effective and unpredictable units when properly and actively controlled.

Its speed and maneuverability make it virtually impossible to D-gun, and with its high damage, close-range flamethrower, it is thé perfect unit for flaming down Commanders.

However its light armor makes it vulnerable to defensive structures, try to avoid them and sneak into unguarded spots. Always spread them to avoid chain-exploding.

As a gimmick used by pros it can be self-destructed to deal huge damage in a relatively large radius. Self-destruct time is only 1 second.

Finch is a cheap and fast-moving air scout, that is not armed with any weapons, but a huge line of sight. It is used to gain intelligence on what your enemy is planning, and where he keeps his most important units. Information is the most valuable asset on the battlefield, knowing your opponent's plans you can prepare your counter strikes early, making his moves inefficient. In late-game a constant stream of scouts helps your artillery units, improving their aim. They can also be used as a cheap distraction swarm that takes the fire from anti-air during bombing runs.