The Grinder Thread - Red Alert 3 Paradox mod for C&C: Red Alert 3

In my opinion, the soviet grinder does not really fit the soviets, the soviets would not really kill units to gain money. The grinder is rarely used for money purposes, so I suggest removing that function from the soviet grinder, and giving a new one. It could be like the reduct for the allies, and spread tesla bolts throughout the entire base. It could spread propaganda. It will still give the soviets another build que, though.

Also, because the actually grinder function will be gone from the soviet grinder, I also suggest giving the protectorate a grinder that just grinds units, giving them a much higher refund than a technic. The grinder's secondary ability would be to switch between two modes. In mode one, it would heal the singularity core when recycling units, (while still getting money). In mode two, it will spread the rust while getting money.

Edited by: g.a

A technic refunds protectorate units 1:1 for cost. Prior to their new resource mechanic, the protectorate did have a grinder building, which probably got removed because of the new system, so your suggestion will probably get denied. As for the Soviet grinding function, I've never used it, has anyone else?

Edited by: Blood-Russia-Mk2

Uhm, as a soviet player I have to confess I also barerly use it. I used the Grinder in Yuris revenge becuase I could mind control enemies and send them there, there is little purpouse doing it in RA3... UNTILL you have the Massproduction protocoll which means you get back the whole cost of the unit! Combined with terror drone surprise one would get free terror drones

But basicly no, I don't like it, though I don't dislike it because of the teamkilling (because it's actually said they just scrap the vehicle but not the crew, though their are no crews visible after because someone got lazy...

It's just that it fill little to no purpouse... but scrapping your ALMOST destroyed MCV that the enemy is constantly shooting at, combined with that money protocoll one make it with profit D

Actually it does suit the Soviets for it is reasonable they would constantly recycle their broken down units, the grinder will prob be more useful if the soviets have a slower repair system and instead of waiting for them to be fully repaired you recycle em(perhaps the lower their health the more cashback you gain?) and instantly build more units (especially useful with industrial plant).

What if the Battle Lab could improve its efficiency?

I'm going to go suggest that.

Also, I'm pretty dang sure the pilots jump out before the grinding- but that would be a bit needless animation work.

I think the Crane should give less if you have an Industrial Plant the more you upgrade it...goodness forbid the Soviets actually profit by building and grinding units instantly.

Edited by: Galgus

Blood-Russia-Mk2 wrote: A technic refunds protectorate units 1:1 for cost. Prior to their new resource mechanic, the protectorate did have a grinder building, which probably got removed because of the new system, so your suggestion will probably get denied. As for the Soviet grinding function, I've never used it, has anyone else?

How about the syndicate? It is more in character for them to 'recycle' near-dead units. Also, it could make for an interesting dynamic between their "economy" and "battle" modes.

Anyway, does anyone think that an alternative function for the grinder would be better than destroying their own units? Like propaganda, or a tesla reduct?

GriffinZ wrote: Uhm, as a soviet player I have to confess I also barerly use it. I used the Grinder in Yuris revenge becuase I could mind control enemies and send them there, there is little purpouse doing it in RA3... UNTILL you have the Massproduction protocoll which means you get back the whole cost of the unit! Combined with terror drone surprise one would get free terror drones

But basicly no, I don't like it, though I don't dislike it because of the teamkilling (because it's actually said they just scrap the vehicle but not the crew, though their are no crews visible after because someone got lazy...

It's just that it fill little to no purpouse... but scrapping your ALMOST destroyed MCV that the enemy is constantly shooting at, combined with that money protocoll one make it with profit D

Can't you recycle infantry?

Also, the soviets, with their pride, would only allow their marvels of engineering to be destroyed in battle. Imagine how contradicting their propaganda would be if conscripts saw the commander intentionally destroying an apocalypse tank.

No, you cannot recycle Infantry.

Now that I think about it, would making the grinder be able to dock units to heal them quicker be better?

g.a wrote:
Also, the soviets, with their pride, would only allow their marvels of engineering to be destroyed in battle. Imagine how contradicting their propaganda would be if conscripts saw the commander intentionally destroying an apocalypse tank.

"So you see, Comrades, the greatest of us also have to give the most. From each, according to his ability, to each, according to their needs *gives them guns made from the recycled steel*"

PsychoticLoner wrote:

g.a wrote:
Also, the soviets, with their pride, would only allow their marvels of engineering to be destroyed in battle. Imagine how contradicting their propaganda would be if conscripts saw the commander intentionally destroying an apocalypse tank.

"So you see, Comrades, the greatest of us also have to give the most. From each, according to his ability, to each, according to their needs *gives them guns made from the recycled steel*"

That doesn't detract from the fact that the soviets love the apocalypse tank, and as an idol, would never destroy it.

I think PsychoticLoner wins that lore fight by a long-shot: think of how inspired a Conscript squad would be that an Apocalypse Tank was salvaged to arm the likes of them!

Edited by: Galgus

So... should we wait for a developer?

Anyway, no one will miss the grinder recycle function? Does anyone have any ideas?

The idea of the grinder is good, it's just that you almost always better repair your units, a repair nerf, or like requiring an uppgrade would make that more effective. Also, G.A. sure soviets do love the apoc, but if you really better need the cash, it's the commanders call. Overall I just really think it needs some kind of buff, perhaps a vehicle crew after the vehicle?

GriffinZ wrote: The idea of the grinder is good, it's just that you almost always better repair your units, a repair nerf, or like requiring an uppgrade would make that more effective. Also, G.A. sure soviets do love the apoc, but if you really better need the cash, it's the commanders call. Overall I just really think it needs some kind of buff, perhaps a vehicle crew after the vehicle?

like I said a repair nerf + galgus's science lab upgrade for bigger cashbacks would make the grinder more efficient or funny if it gives all units around the repair radius a defence bonus.

Or maybe a change that makes the grinder buff units and repair them faster after demolishing a unit, with an animation showing the crew jumping off. If we gave anyone a choice between demolishing and repairing a unit, they would choose repairing. But if we make demolishing the unit beneficial to not only economy, but also to all the units' abilities, then it would be a tough choice.

Also, it might be a good idea to give the crusher crane protocols. Specifically one that allows the soviets to control civilian units (like cars and such) using propaganda, and then use them as obvious scouts or as a small economy boost and military buff.

Overall, I think that the grinder in its current state is more of a way of giving the soviets another build que, and placing a throwback to ra2. Only one of those functions is necessary for paradox, though buffing the grinder function might work.

Edited by: g.a

To be honest, I use the Grinder. Cash Bounty + Mass Production + Hammer Leach beam makes it extremely efficient. I also use it when I don't need a unit anymore(most often Akulas, but also most pilot snipe units I get). I always make sure to use it in conjunction with the Hammer Tank's leach beam for maximum efficiency. Point is, I find uses for it. The Grinder is kinda situational, though. depends on whether I can wait for the Sickle to be repaired or if I NEED that gun & money NOW.

EDIT: also, really nice job with the available choices. now it looks like people who disagree with you think the soviets slaughter their own troops. you're well on your way towards being a newscaster jk

Edited by: Nukeknockout

How does the leech beam help?

Edited by: g.a

you getz free weapons for hammerz tankz

Yes, but how does it help with getting money?

Also, would a temporary buff for grinding units help?

the grinder is not for getting money, it's for recykling, the leech beam makes it even better

Oh, because you can leech a unit while grinding it.

yes. if you leach the unit right before you send it into the Grinder, you get the money and don't lose the weapon