Time will tell. Sooner or later... time will tell... -Albert Einstein
Patch 1.2 released on April 10, 2020. This patch revamps the gameplay dramatically. C&C Red Alert Able Archer is confirmed to work with C&C The First Decade with TFD 1.03 rev4. Red Alert's version should be 3.03. It may work with other versions of the game, but may encounter bugs. -Simply unzip the archive into your Red Alert folder. Make sure to backup existing EXPAND2.mix, hires1.mix, rules.ini, and aftrmath.ini.
Known bugs:
-Game crashes when loading more than one save game per .exe instance. Save often. If you need to load another save, exit the game and reload.
-Structures sometimes will need to be hit multiple times to destroy.
-Transport Helicopters will attempt to leave the map when Spetsnaz board them. This is hard coded. Simply order the helicopter to stay behind.
-Soviet mission 3, the enemy spy will get stuck at the first house and not fire on your troops. If you kill him, you win. This is a lucky break for you. If the spy actually fired like he's supposed to, you'd be in trouble.
-Soviet mission 14 - Good luck. If you're the first one to beat it on Hard and record it all, I'll send you $10.
Patch notes:
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New Construction Options:
Allies
M106 Mortar Carrier
-Sandbagged M113 APC redesigned to carry a 4.2 inch mortar.
-Lower cost base defence that doesn't require power.
-Effective against infantry and light vehicles. Vulnerable to most weapons.
-Shoot further than pillboxes.
Fennek
-Unit removed in favour of a new French Main Battle Tank.
-Fennek offered little combat value, was out of timeline, and had no niche.
AMX-30B2
-A direct foil to the M60A3 Patton. It is $50 cheaper. AMX-30B2 is faster and more mobile, but significantly less armoured, as in real life. The 105mm F1 gun
does less damage and has a shorter range (due to depending on an older Obus G HEAT round), but fires slightly faster.
-It has a co-axial 20mm autocannon. It is excellent against infantry, and can target helicopters, eventually destroying them if it survives long enough.
-The autocannon is not very effective against fast moving aircraft, due to limited range and acquisition time. You'll still need dedicated AA for that.
-BRENUS ERA package on the tank means the crew can replace blocks as part of field maintenance. Basically it auto repairs to 50% hitpoints.
-More useful for hit and run/ambushes than M60A3.
Soviet
Foxhole
-Dug in short ranged anti-tank and machine gun position.
-Low cost base defence that doesn't require power.
-Vulnerable to anti-infantry weapons, infantry but is strong against tanks.
Balance changes
Common
-All anti-infantry barriers are now free.
-Hesco barriers cost reduced to $10 from $50.
-Construction Yard, Helipads, Airfields, Superweapons, Command Posts, Regimental HQ, and powerplants
will now repair to 50% given time. This is to simulate troops performing emergency repair on runways and HQ buildings.
-All field defences now will repair to 50% due to troops re-fortifying their positions.
After all, troops in combat will not let their defensive positions crumble too much after a firefight.
Further repairs still require player interaction.
-Selling units and buildings now returns 80% credits instead of 50%.
-Repairing a unit or building fully, now cost 10% of its purchase price.
-Tactical Nuclear strike now does 100% more damage. (1000->2000)
-All naval units will repair to 50% as their crews conduct proper damage controls.
Warhead changes
Small Arms - spread decreased.
Armour Piercing - spread decreased.
Super - spread increased. Damage vs unarmoured increased to 50% from 30%.
Nuke - spread increased.
Rate of Turn - Almost all vehicle and aircraft received lower RoT, for both balance and some realism.
Light Infantry
-Cost decreased to $50 from $100
Naval Transport
-Hitpoints reduced to 300 from 800.
Allies
M113 Lynx
-Speed decreased to 8 from 12
Pathfinder
-Hitpoints decreased to 90 from 100.
-Range increased to 8 from 7.5.
M110 Artillery
-Hitpoints decreased to 125 from 180.
-Armour changed to light from heavy.
M163 VADS
-Speed decreased to 6 from 8.
M270 MLRS
-Speed decreaed to 4 from 6.
Jaguar 2
-Cost increased to 1600 from 1200.
-Weapon warhead changed to increase anti-personnel damage.
-Speed decreased to 7 from 9.
AH-64D
-Speed decreased to 11 from 12.
-Weapon warhead changed to increase anti-personnel damage.
Iowa Class Battleship
-Can now fire dual Harpoon anti-ship missiles at Soviet ships.
-Cost increased to $3500 from $3200.
Type 22 Frigate
-Cost reduced to $800 from $1150.
Soviet
2S3 Akatsiya
-Speed decreased to 5 from 6.
9K35 Strela-10
-Soviet Tech Centre prerequisite removed to boost mid-tech level Soviet mobile AA.
SU-25
-Now fires 50x of DU rounds instead of 25x HE, making it effective vs groups of tanks.
-It is still mildly effective vs. infantry.
-Cost increased to 1300 from 900.
-Speed increased to 16 from 14.
MIG-144
-Speed increased to 18 from 16.
-Weapon warhead changed to increase anti-personnel damage.
Badger Bomber
-Speed increased to 15 from 12.
MIG-25
-Speed increased to 25 from 20.
Mi-24VP
-Speed increased to 12 from 10.
Udaloy Class Destroyer
-Cost reduced to $650 from $850.
Guard Tower
-Cost reduced to 600 from 700.
Bug fixes
Allies
-Type 42 and Type 22 name bugs fixed.
-M163 VADS self healing removed.
Soviet
-Kirov Cruisers will now defend themselves again from all targets in guard mode.
-Kirov sidebar cameo fixed with AA icon.