Balance (#2) - Nuke and EMP are not OP in regular maps. (#142) - Message List

Nuke and EMP were nerfed only because in some particular cases - uncontested expansion - and on only one map - tabula - they showed some OP signs. On this map one player has acces to a) 14 metal spots; b) 2-3 geo spots; and c) positions close to enemy bases; if he is uncontested, therefore fast nuke and/or emp are logical strategies when you have so absurdly many ressources. But the absurd conclusion is use this particular example as a general rule on every other map - where you have to fight hard for every mexe and where your only E income is windmill farms, solars and fusions - aka 90% of maps.

First replay shows that even if you steal all mexes and have a geo, if you are constantly contested putting 12k M for EMP and nuke is a risky bet and does not pay back if you lose your front (notice the scrapped scarab aswell :/)  http://replays.adune.nl/?200 I wish I had replay on another map but EMP is so rarely used even with its hueg opness.

Second replay on map DsD shows how nuke can be a winning bet if you manage to hold front long enough. In both cases you could in no way rush to nuke from start, in first case emp+nuke didnt reverse a critical situation so no need to nerf, in second case nuke took part in victory and filled his role of a 14k M weapon but only because ally was strong and able to counterattack, adding 3min delay prolly wouldnt have made this possible.  http://replays.adune.nl/?199

Conclusion: nuke is not rushable in 90% of situations (I dont even mention $$ Core nuke), and in 90% of situations you dont have 1 extra minute to spend for every missile if enemy is knocking at your door. Anti is already 3x cheaper, you dont need 3x faster stockpilable missiles. emp is overnerfed now, even with 6k range no one makes it on regular maps - see BA, it's almost 3k M put into something that does no damage by itself, and I have yet to see a game where it reversed a critical situation (even on tabula). You may keep its lower paratime and aoe but it needs its range back because with such low stats it should at least allow you to shut down some eco buildings or antis whithout having to build it at his doorstep (in the latest case it means you are already winning anyway).

But if your goal is to make all expensive units useless (someone even suggested to nerf Orcone), tell me.