Next version of Firestorm news

Hello all! So I know it has been over a year almost since the last version, and how updates for this mod have gone slow for a while on moddb, but no, the mod is still alive, and I bring you guys some news! The next update is here! (1.65)

So what has changed that caused the long delay? Well, I have been trying to fix so many issues with the mod like crashes that started showing up as well as desyncs and many bugs. Most of these have been fixed, and gameplay experience is so much smoother now!

What does 1.65 offer?

Well for starters, GDI faction has been reworked! They offer a new arsenal of units:

Falcons:

A T-1 hover unit that replaces the pitbull, but its stats have been altered to be a bit heavier and slow compared to the pitbull
It benefits still from all the upgrades the pitbull had including Mortars!

Wolverines:

Replacing Guardian APCs in the anti-infantry role, these units are more capable in shredding infantry. They benefit from the APCs former upgrades like HE Ammo

MRTs are also now in the mod (They are the same as KW MRTs) but benefit from the utility and armor upgrades GDI has (like Adaptive Armor and Auto Repair Systems)

Now Guardian Tanks/Guardian Robot Tanks have been removed for now, and instead, they have been replaced by a new unit. Meet the Mobile EMP Cannon!

extremely fragile, this unit fires a ball of EMP that has a massive radius. Beware though, you can only build 3 of these guys, and they have a super long reload time. So keep them guarded!

Missile Batteries

Replacing AA Batteries, these new defense turrets shoot missiles (obviously) and have 2 abilities. They have a Lock-on ability (kinda like laser lock, the turret in the back) or normal mode. They benefit from Thermobaric missiles upgrade.

Behemoths and Heavy Harvesters

We all know the KW Behemoths and Heavy Harvester (replacing Zone Juggernauts and Rocket Harvesters respectively), but the Behemoths have something different. Now, garrisons for this unit will not work in TW because it would break the unit's AI, so instead I gave it modules like the Nod Purifier. It can be upgraded with either a Rocket Pod or a Grenade module.

GDI does have a new upgrade as well: "Rail Gun Accelerators"

speeding up the slow rate of fire of Rail guns, this upgrade makes railguns comparable to sonic shells now (Only accessible once normal Rail Guns upgrade has been purchased)

Nod:

There are a few major changes to Nod, but not as much as GDI. However they mostly got a lot of balance and quality of life changes (will be mentioned in the changelog)

Beam Cannon:

This new design of the Beam Cannon will make it more suitable for defensive positions, it will be able to crush heavy infantry on the get go, clear mines with ease, and once deployed, it gains a small armor buff that should help it stay alive much longer than usual.

Marauders and new Attack Bikes!

Attack Bikes have gotten a new model! As for Marauders, these new units are a replacement for the Raider Buggy. Instead of a machingun, they have a shotgun weapon like shredder turrets, have more health, but benefit from the same upgrades as Raider Buggies. (EMP Coils and Charged Particle Beams)

Stormbringer AA Turrets

These new laser AA turrets will be replacing the SAM Turrets. Benefittin from Purifying Laser and Quad Turret upgrades, these new AA turrets will make quick work of nearby enemy aircraft.

Scrin:

Now for Scrin, they have no new units or new defenses. Instead they have a new "Tech Center" similar to GDI's Advanced Research Lab/Nod's Temple of Redemption.

Storm Obelisk

This new structure so far only provides 2 upgrades and 1 support power.

The support power is a deployable Ion storm which can be placed anywhere on the map and it lasts for some time. As for the upgrades, one of them is the Ion Storm armor upgrade which you all know. The other one called "Ionizing Atmosphere". Once researched, an ion storm will spawn above all main structures including the Rift Generator and Control Node.

Misc:

Other than these new updates covered here for each faction there are many more things not mentioned, including QoL changes, bug fixes, balance changes, and more which are all covered in the changelog.

However, onto the major miscellaneous changes:
Engineers can now repair damaged civilian buildings!

This ability exists for all Engineers, and they won't be consumed like how the older cnc games kill the engineer when they repair civilian structures. (Also you still will be able to garrison the structure if you wish, but ability can't be used while garrisoned)

Another thing regarding civilian structures, garrison clearing these structures have been reworked! Anti-garrison units/structures (exception of Buzzers and Incinerator Tower) will no longer instant garrison clear, but take out a squad one by one, member by member. This increases the effectiveness of garrisons instead of them being wiped out in a single hit

Other than this, most miscellaneous changes will be mentioned in the changelog.

Finally, to end this article, more skirmish maps have been added!

> FS Devils Tongue - 2 players (Made by Kella)

> FS Tournament Simulation (Made by Metaph4r

> FS Cityside - 3 players (Made by Kella)

> FS Dunes - 3 players (Made by Kella)

> FS Downtown Breakdown - 4 players (Made by Kella)

> FS Ice Age - 6 players (Made by Kella)

The Tower Defense map has also been redesigned! (By Kella)

Credits: (These are also mentioned in the changelog)

Credits go to these people who helped me with this version: thank you guys so much for helping me :D (even if it wasn't a direct help, like having public assets to use)

- Stygs (Owner of TW Advanced mod: Moddb.com):
> Helping me with portraits and giving me feedback on them (esp. when I remade all the GDI ones with their original skins)
> Missile Squad foxhole digging animation as the model of the unit had to be properly edited
> Some aspects of the Zone Commando portrait
> (and Golan) for the Nod power plant laser fence model

- Carnius (Owner of Tiberium Essence mod: Moddb.com):
> Falcon model, Wolverine model, Orca model, Beam Cannon model (A Mix of his Scorpion Tank and Basilisk Beam Cannon models), and the Nod Warfactory/Shrine doors
> Some aspects of the new GDI missile squad portrait and the Mammoth Walker MK.II portrait
> His Snowy trees and shrub models

- Alex06:
> Grenadier Squad portrait

- ErastusMercy/VinifERA (Developer of Twisted Insurrection: Moddb.com):
> (and Stygs) for the Sniper Team portrait
> Tiberium Fiends portrait (I thought they were made by Stygs, so I credited Stygs for it, but now i know that they were made by Erastus, so credit correction)

- theHostileNegotiator:
> Many KWB (Kane's Wrath Bandage) fixes, here is a link to his mod on moddb: Moddb.com
Also the code for KWB on GitHub: Github.com

- GenesisAria:
> From the C&C Mod Haven discord, used one of the audio files of the beefed up prism ray

- Kella/Verhoatzer:
> (and Metaph4r) The map makers! :D
> Redesigned the Tower Defense map

Hope you guys enjoy the new version of the mod! Any feedback as well is appreciated, plus if there are any suggestions, let me hear you! :D

See you on the battlefields, Commanders!