Mission 8 (Subversion) – Allied Base Destruction Objective Bypass

[onixlas]

In Mission 8 ("Subversion"), the final objective is to destroy the Allied Base using the Ion Cannon. However, the mission is marked as successfully completed even if the Allied Base is destroyed by any other means (e.g., using a Commando unit or other weapons).

Steps to Reproduce

1. Start Mission 8 ("Subversion").
2. Progress through the mission until reaching the final objective: "Use the Ion Cannon to destroy the Allied base"
3. Instead of using the Ion Cannon, destroy the Allied Base using an alternative method (e.g., Commando or tanks).
4. Observe that the mission completes successfully despite not using the Ion Cannon.

Expected Result

The mission should only be considered complete if the Allied Base is destroyed specifically by the Ion Cannon, as stated in the objective.

[knarrff]

I do understand the incentive, but would you really have players fail in that scenario?

"You did destroy the enemy, but because you didn't use the easiest method available and/or not the one we wanted you to use, you loose. Try again." ?

[onixlas]

Hallo und danke für die Antwort!

It's a fair point and certainly opens up a discussion about game design philosophy.

1. It's a valid discussion. I completely agree that from a pure gameplay perspective, failing a player for achieving the core goal (destroying the base) through clever alternative means can feel punitive and frustrating. Your rhetorical question highlights this dilemma perfectly.

2. However, from a narrative and lore perspective, this is unequivocally a bug. The entire plot of Mission 8, "Subversion," hinges on a false-flag operation. The objective isn't just "destroy the Allied base"; it's specifically to frame the Global Defense Initiative for the attack. Destroying the base with Nod's own units (like a Commando) makes no sense from a story standpoint. It would be seen as a straightforward Nod assault on the Allies, rather than the calculated act of sabotage designed to sow discord between GDI and the Allies. Using the captured Ion Cannon is the entire point of the mission, as it's the only way to convincingly implicate GDI.

3. A comparable situation exists in the Soviet mission "13. Abasement." The final objective is to Capture the Allied Signal Transmitter, not destroy it. If a player were to simply destroy the transmitter with tanks instead of capturing it, should the mission be considered a success? According to the in-game logic you described, the primary goal of "neutralizing the transmitter" would be achieved. Yet, the mission correctly fails the player because the strategic objective was specifically to capture and repurpose the technology, not just deny its use to the enemy. The same logic applies here in "Subversion": the strategic objective is the false-flag attack, not merely the base's destruction.