Summary
The new indie RTS from Slipgate Ironworks,Tempest Rising, is an homage to classic RTS games likeCommand & Conquer. With a similar focus on optimizing construction and troop compositions, the game adds a few unique quirks of its own to keep things fresh. There’s a high focus on micromanagement of units and buildings, along with various support powers that can sway a battle. Forclassic RTS fans, there’s a lot to enjoy.
While the single-player campaign will ease players in, there’s not much hand-holding when it comes to how to upgrade armies, use optimal build orders, or make good mixed unit groups. That’s all down to the players to learn by experimentation. A lot of this will be intuitive forRTS veterans, but some things are still easy to miss. For new players coming to the game, these are the biggest beginner mistakes to avoid inTempest Rising.
1Know Which Resources Respawn
Look For Nodes And Craters
The tempest resource fields inTempest Risingare essential for all players to generate income. Not all patches of this resource can be harvested forever, though. Players will usually spawn next to an exhaustible patch of tempest, and will be forced toscout the mapto find other sources.
New players might not realize the difference between tempest fields that will run out and those that will respawn. The respawning fields have a root node or crater in the center, and these can come in various sizes. Controlling patches of resources like these is not only essential for keeping up income for construction in a match, it also keeps them out of the hands of the opponent.
2Don’t Ignore Doctrines
Buffs In Single Player And Multiplayer
Doctrines function similarly to research trees in other strategy games and tend to be buffs to different gameplay elements for each faction. For example, the Tempest Dynasty can passively generate income from Construction Yards in one branch of their Doctrines, while others might buff infantry damage or vehicle repair speed.
Players pick their Doctrines within a match in multiplayer, or between missions in single-player, and have a limited number of choices (a maximum of 11 out of the 18 options). That means that players can pick their Doctrines to suit their playstyle or army focus that round, making Doctrines a good way to augment a build that should not be ignored.
3Don’t Forget Armory Upgrades
Single Player Synergies
The armory is the main army upgrade mechanic in thesingle-player campaign, and new players should not neglect grabbing these important upgrades in between missions. Each faction has its own set of armory upgrades, and players will unlock more slots for new upgrades as they progress through the campaign missions. Armory upgrades are purchased with requisition points, which players earn from completing both main and optional objectives in a mission.
New players should be sure to go for optional objectives whenever they can, as the rewards will let them progress their armory upgrades faster. The upgrades can be very significant, like replacing all GDF drone weapons with lasers, or giving all Dynasty vehicles an extra level of veterancy as soon as they’re built, so they shouldn’t be neglected.
4Avoid Overcommitting And Stalling Construction
Don’t Get Caught Off Guard
There are two easy mistakes for new players to make that can stall their progress in aTempest Risingmatch and put them in a vulnerable spot. The first is overcommitting to construction orders on buildings and units, leading to construction that stalls out as players run out of resources, or a low power state, which slows everything down.
The second is dedicating an entire build queue to either resource collection or troop construction early in a match. Too much focus on resources leaves players exposed to an early assault, whereas focusing on troops early will let opponents gain a resource advantage that will only widen as players get further into a match. New players should try a balanced approach first and foremost.
5Play To A Faction’s Strengths
Dynasty Or GDF?
While the GDF and Tempest Dynasty factions don’t force players to lean too heavily into one type of playstyle, they do each have different strengths and weaknesses. The Dynasty has mobility with its resource collection and construction via utility units, meaning they canexpand with small outpostsquickly to capture resources.
The GDF, however, has to more carefully plan around capturing neutral structures like radar facilities for building, garages for in-the-field vehicle repairs, or tempest processing facilities for resource and power generation. There are many small differences like these that make a difference to the way players will play each faction, and new players will need to learn each faction’s quirks.
6Don’t Forget To Guard Structures
Buildings Can Be Captured
Capturing neutral structures is one of the best ways to control routes and resources on a map. New players need to bear in mind that other players and bots will attack and capture any structures left undefended, though. Players need to avoid expanding in ways that leave them exposed, and make sure that captured buildings have easy access to troops, or place stationary defenses like turrets.
This means that players need to be aware of what’s happening at each of their outposts or bases. Having multiple areas with buildings is common inTempest Rising, and players will need tomicromanage engagementsas they happen at each one.
7Different Armor Types Have Different Weaknesses
Buildings, Vehicles, And Infantry Have Different Armor Types
Maybe the most important lesson for newTempest Risingplayers to learn is that infantry, vehicles, and buildings all have different armor types, and different weapons will do either reduced or additional damage against them. There are six weapon types: rifle, rocket, explosive, cannon, fire, and sniper.
If players click on a unit or structure, they can see both itsweapon type and armor type, if applicable, via the icons next to the unit portrait. This same display shows what damage types a specific armor is weak to, so new players should check these icons regularly and attack accordingly.
