R.U.S.E. Factions

The six factions of R.U.S.E. define the game and are what makes strategy so important. Each faction has its own set of characteristics that provide both strengths and weaknesses. It's up to the player to decide how best to utilize each of the available options and units within the factions in order to achieve victory. At first, this may seem overwhelming. However, with a little practice and a few tips from us, you will be ready to dominate your opponent in no time at all.

One important thing to remember is when playing in a 2v2 multiplayer situation, it is sometimes best to pick a faction that is not considered a "balanced" faction. The reason for this is simple: When two players are playing together, they can choose different factions in order to fill the gaps each faction presents. For example, some players who use Italy rely on speed and unit production to overwhelm their opponents. However, when put up against a strong German or French unit, Italy's weakness can present a problem. Therefore, it is nice to have a stronger ally can send aide in dire situations and vice versa.

It is important to read all of the descriptions and tips below because within them, you will see not only the strengths, but weaknesses each of them have. So if you are starting a match and need some quick pointers, be sure to see which faction/factions your enemy is playing and read how to defeat them below.

USA

There's nothing special about the United States faction, but nonetheless, it will probably be the most utilized faction in RUSE for the first few months. This faction is great for beginners or gamers who do not go in with a set plan for victory. The reason being that the US faction does not have any huge weaknesses or advantages and can usually adapt to situations as they arise. Their tanks and air units are the stars of their forces, but still can be defeated by an experienced player. Tips for use: Not a faction of choice for experienced players, so be ready for some heckling before and after the match. However, if utilized correctly, USA can certainly win matches. Be sure to watch the enemy base to see where their focus lies, whether it be on a ground or air attack. Being able to build decent units for relatively low costs is your only strengths, so make sure units you're building contrast the look of your enemies direction. If your opponent is looking to turtle, and you're playing a faction that has strong units through cost or research, do not wait for them to build your forces. If they are able to build elite units, you will lose. Things to watch: Your opponent. Very simple in the case of the USA because that is your only chance at survival. If your opponent uses the camouflage RUSE early in the game, prepare a basic defense and watch for it to expire. Also, recognizing the units that exit your opponents base will give you a general idea of the strategy they are using. Remember, knowing their plan is the only way to survive against an experienced player. Keys to victory: Plan on building a balanced attack base on your opponents moves. A mix of infantry, mid-level tanks, and air support should at least defend your base until you are able to adapt to your enemy and counter. When playing against a solid player, USA is not a recommended faction. Also, when playing 2v2 multiplayer, USA is the weak link early in the match. So be prepared for early attacks from both opponents to try and wipe you out fast.

Germany

Germany is a bear late in a game. They have the strongest ground attack in the game with massive tanks and solid artillery. Mix those with some anti-air and the force is essentially unstoppable. However, it takes a ton of money to get there. Supply Depots are your best friends. Build them quickly and often because German units need to be researched and purchased before they reach their full potential. If you can fend off early attacks well enough to build your elite forces, you've won the match. Tips for use: Build Supply Depots early and often. Just like all factions, money is your friend... but for Germany, it's more like your lover. You NEED money to build an effective army, or you will be destroyed. Be sure to accompany your Supply Depot builds close to the enemy base with some sort infantry group or a tank. Nothing too pricey, but enough to ward off potential captures or small attacks. You can also use artillery to help defend depots in range. Things to watch: Researching units can get tricky, especially when almost every unit you want to build needs to be researched and it costs an arm and a leg to do so. Be sure to keep a mental note of what you've researched and try to balance the research out amongst your unit types. You don not want to have all tanks, because even though beastly, will fall against Anti-Tanks. Keys to victory: Only one - make it to mid- to late-match. An early offensive against your base is unwise, but a smart opponent will know you need money, and will work to keep your income low. Creating enough defensive and offensive units, in combination with earning the money for research and building elite units, is key. The King Tiger tank and a couple assault guns are a deadly combination. Most consider this to be a fairly advanced faction to use, and is not recommended for those new to the game.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom will beat you in one thing: air assault. The low cost and high power of UK's air force leads to an extremely powerful air attack. If able to build advanced air units without being slowed by the enemy, the UK becomes a difficult army (well, air force, mostly) to defeat. If you're thinking to yourself some simple Anti-Air units will be enough to carry you to victory against the UK, think again. Tips for use: Use the camouflage RUSE when you get ready to build your Air Strip (not that it's much of a mystery that the UK builds air units, but do it anyway), which you should do very early in the match. Get some bombers ready, at least 3, and make an initial run at your enemy. Use recon units early as well to scout your targets. Chances are very good that your enemy has minimal, if any, Anti-Air units built this early in the game so you may even get lucky and bomb his HQ and end the game quickly. If the enemy has solid air defenses already in place, bomb anything that is outside of their range to cause destruction and a distraction. Build tank units to attack the AA guns to clear the way for your planes. Things to watch: Do not put all your eggs in one basket and only build planes. Recon units and a handful of tanks will go a long way toward victory, especially if your early attack is unsuccessful. Another thing to note about the United Kingdom is the early availability and inexpensiveness of the paratroopers. Creating these units early and dispensing them around the map in cities and wooded areas will help to Surprise Attack your enemies later in the game. If your enemy has a lack of Anti-Air units, paratroopers are great for being dropped behind enemy lines and used to capture enemy bases. Keys to victory: Other than the notes above, be aware of your enemy. A solid defense against the UK is a ton of AA guns, and most players know this. If your opponent is able to draw the match out until mid- to late-game time, the UK is in trouble. Use your planes to attack enemies out of range of AA guns and use tanks and infantry to try and infiltrate and destroy those guns. That way your planes will be a maximum effectiveness. Also remember, bombers can take out AA guns. It's not recommended, but if you have a large amount of planes attacking at once, they will destroy them because the AA guns can't hit multiple planes at once. If you have another set of planes ready, follow your attack up with another run that can target your enemy base (or whatever) with minimal resistance.

France

France is probably the most unique faction due to its ability to create strong units at the beginning of the match which conflicts with the ability to create some of the best defensive bunkers in the game. These factors give France the edge if attacked early in the game, especially if blitzed by Italy's weak units. Due to the expensive units and great defensive abilities, France is considered by most to be an expert Turtling faction. Tips for use: As stated above, use a turtle tactic against your enemies. Opponents running a blitz will be easily destroyed due to the high powered units available to France at the beginning of the match. Also, build defensive bunkers early to help aide in the initial defense of your base and units. Be sure to build an Admin Building early and begin collecting money from supply depots because French units are just as expensive as they are powerful. Eventually, building a strong force behind your defenses will lead to victory. Wait for your opponents initial attack and deploy your forces against his after your defense has succeeded. Chances are most of his money is spent and units destroyed. Things to watch: France can be seriously handicapped by opponents with strong artillery. Bunkers and anti-air units are very vulnerable to arty attacks, and those are the key to the French defense. Destruction of those units will result in an air and ground assault that will obliterate your forces. However, France has some solid arty of their own and will often win in a head to head match versus an opponents arty, so be sure to build a few artillery units to help in your defenses. Keys to victory: Build defensive structures far enough from your base to incude a few supply depots. DO NOT build them so close to your base that they are ineffective. Remember, money is power in this game and is especially crucial for France. Build tanks, anti-air, and artillery. Station them near your bunkers. A safe plan is 4 anti-air per group of tanks. Use artillery for support against initial attacks. When initial attack has ended, take your remaining units and move in for the kill. Be sure to move arty up as well. If you feel your forces are too small to succeed, you're probably wrong. Chances are good your opponent is undefended and broke.

Italy

If playing 2v2 multiplayer matches, Italy is a great faction for you or one of your allies to use. Italy has the ability to create light tanks directly from their Barracks, so while other factions are situating infantry and building structures, you can wreak havoc on their progress. However, factions such as France or even Germany are difficult to use the blitz tactic on due to the strong units they have available at the beginning of the match. Therefore, it is wise to hit their perimeters and keep any outlying Supply Depots down so that they cannot build the reserves to bring in heavy units. Tips for use: If playing as Italy, recognize your strengths and pair them with your allies weaknesses. A successful Italian player will focus on what his enemy is bringing onto the field, and bring in the counter units to destroy them. To play as Italy is bold, and can lead to some hectic matches. Being the general of this fast production army will have you looking in ten places at once throughout the match, therefore, it is not a recommended faction for beginners. If you are still playing and have not successfully slowed down your enemies production by mid-match, you will lose against even an average player. Things to watch: Other than the ability to create tank units early, most ground units are cheaper than your opponents. This is key when pushing the mid-match time of the game. Your units are weaker than your opponents, but your number of units should be higher. Overwhelming with numbers is the only way to achieve victory as Italy. Fifteen medium tanks are tough to take down, so use that to your advantage. Be aware of surprise attacks from hidden infantry and if possible, steer clear of towns and woods. Key to victory: Strike hard, strike early... and pair with an intelligent partner who understands your needs. Remember, Italy is weak, so you need strength in the areas in which you struggle the most. Most factions pair well with Italy and some major damage can be done if communication is utilized between players. When playing against Germany or France, be sure to keep your opponent restricted to their corner of the map. Do not let them get to Supply Depots. By keeping them in check, you are buying time for your partner to build his army and will make the run that much easier when the final attack is made. Finally, be sure to have Anti-Air and Anti-Tank units ready for your final attack, because your tanks will not be able to overpower your enemy units at that point of the match.

U.S.S.R.

Playing with the U.S.S.R. faction is an all or nothing situation, much like Italy, because it depends highly on the opening moves of the game. One thing to remember about the USSR is that it has some awesome units that are beastly, but less expensive than other factions heavy units. Oh, and don't forget the artillery, because it's the best in the game. Russian artillery is a must, regardless of tactics, because it is its greatest asset. You have no true defensive units, so being on the attack from the beginning is your only option. Hitting your enemy early with artillery from across the map is a sure way to wreak havoc on their early plans, but it is also a way to attract attention to yourself and your lack of defenses. Tips for use: Build USSR artillery quickly and start getting your beastly tanks ready to move. Be sure you have an acceptable amount of Anti-Air units guarding your ground units, especially if playing against the UK faction. Your artillery has great range, so take aim at whatever you see fit and keep your arty safe from light tank attacks and air attacks. Remember, taking out Supply Depots that sit away from your enemies base causes them lost money on multiple levels and will make it that much easier to advance your awesome tanks in their direction. Also, don't forget to utilize one of the best planes in the game, the Sturmoviks, to help destroy your adversary. Things to watch: Be sure to spend your money on items you know you will use. This is most important with the USSR because your initial attack may be the only chance you get. Therefore, building structures and units that are essential in aiding with an early victory are a must. Infantry, although important, may not be your first step with USSR. This is not your average faction, so try mixing it up a bit to see what is the most efficient way to stun your enemy early. Keys to victory: Using the radio silence RUSE to hide your units (especially your artillery) is important. Sure, the enemy knows what is hitting them, but they don't know what is guarding them. This makes them hesitant to rush in to destroy them and that is the key to USSR victory, keeping the opponent uncomfortable and continuing to harass them. This will cause panic amongst most opponents and will cause them to rush into a situation they don't want to be in against your tanks, or will cause them to huddle back in their base where your artillery can hit them from afar. Be careful, however, because if your opponent decides to fight back with some tough tanks or Anti-Tanks, you could find yourself defenseless against an attack. Artillery is not the weapon of choice if attacked by tanks, no matter what faction you are.