Ion Storm (Command & Conquer)
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Ion storms are a ground weather phenomenon in the real-time strategy game and its expansion pack Firestorm. These storms are devastating to both the local terrain and the various units and structures on the field. They appear at random, and contain power lightning strikes which create interference on radio frequencies in the form of high concentrations of electromagnetic interference (EMI) which is electromagnetic radiation that the storm itself emitts by that causes unwanted signals (interference or noise) to be induced throughout the current area. This interrupts, obstructs, or otherwise degrades or limits the effective performance of those mechanical units and most structures. The exact cause of ion storms is unknown, but it is believed that the they are somehow related to the toxic gases emitted from Tiberium, which by the time of Tiberian Sun have completely changed the Earth's ecosystem. They are especially devastating in multi-player modes, where besides knocking out a players radar, they can ground all aerial and hover units, shut down power-intensive defense structures, and slow unit production to a crawl.
Effects against terrain
Lightning produced in ion storms can deform the terrain on the maps, creating land discrepancies that can prevent players from building on the affected terrain. Lightning strikes from ion storms that hit patches of Blue Tiberium can also set off a devastating chain reaction explosion in the blue tiberium field. Such chain reactions can damage or even kill units that are caught in blue tiberium during the event. Ion storms also kick up shrapnel that can set fire to trees and other vegetation on the map, hindering the movement of troops.Effects on GDI
Units
Ion storms create a powerful electromagnetic field, which disable all units capable of flight, so during these storms all GDI Orca aircraft are grounded until the storm has passed. Those Orca units unlucky enough to be in the air when ion storms strike are instantly and fatally disabled, and as a result will crash wherever the storm catches them. GDI's Hover MLRS units remain grounded throughout the duration of an ion storm as well. Unlike Orca aircraft, which must be airborne to fire ordnance, MLRS units are equipped with surface-to-surface missiles and hence may still defend themselves during ion storms. If the MLRS is hovering above water when the storm catches him, he'll sink and is destroyed. The same flight restrictions also apply to GDI's jump jet infantry, which use rocket packs to fly long distances across maps. Because Jumpjet Infantry do not require flight to move they can still run and shoot like a standard infantry unit during ion storms.Structures
Because ion storms produce an electromagnetic disturbance GDI radar facilities are rendered useless during an ion storm. Any GDI MRLS unit constructed in a GDI War Factory will become stuck in the factory and will subsequently prevent further armored units from being purchased. An MLRS unit caught on a repair bay will also become stuck on the pad and subsequently prevent other armoured units from using the pad. In some cases it may be necessary to destroy disabled MLRS units and/or sell buildings affected by disabled MLRS units to allow for the construction or repair of other GDI units. Orca pads that contain Orca aircraft are useless during Ion Storms, and any Orca aircraft caught on the pad will be stuck there until the storm passes; additionally, any Orca unit purchased during the storm that flies in from off the map will be destroyed once it enters the area affected by the ion storm.An additional threat against GDI structures are direct lightning strikes and shrapnel strikes; each of these will damage GDI structures. Lightning strikes may also set GDI structures on fire, which can further damage the building in question.
Effects on Nod
Units
As with GDI, all Nod aerial units are grounded throughout the storm, and any Nod air units unlucky enough to be in the air when ion storms strike are instantly and fatally disabled, and as a result will crash wherever the storm catches them. Any Nod stealth unit, such as the stealth tank, that takes a direct or near direct hit, or is hit with shrapnel, will also be briefly revealed.Structures
Nod structures are affected the same way GDI structures are, they can be damaged by lightning strikes, by shrapnel, or by fires touched off by lightning strikes. Nod radar facilities are disabled due to the EM Pulse. One notable difference is that Nod structures hidden by a stealth generator or a Mobile Stealth Generator will be revealed to all players on a map if the structures are struck by lightning and/or shrapnel, or catch fire as a result of lightning strikes or shrapnel.
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