CNC Generals: The GLA - Early Game

    The GLA is very different from the other two sides. They use workers instead of dozers, they do not need power plants, and they have no air force. Plus the GLA ground force is relatively weak until you get upgrades but they are also cheaper in comparison to the other two sides.

    The worker is one of the best advantages the GLA has. For every dozer the enemy creates you can make five workers and the workers not only build but they also collect your money. Another advantage for the GLA is the tunnel network. This is the single most important structure the GLA has. You can place up to twelve units inside the tunnel and instantly move them anywhere you have another tunnel. Not only can you instantly transport units across the map but the tunnel also heals all units that move into it and provides anti-infantry defense. The GLA also has holes with every building and they also have the largest assortment of ground units.

    All that good stuff doesn't come without a price however. Due to the lack of power all of the GLA buildings and units build slower than the counterparts of the other armies (except a few). Not only that but because GLA does not have an air force your enemy will never need to worry about making anti-air defense. Plus all of the GLA vehicles are almost worthless until you get them upgraded. Like every side though you can use your advantages to make up for most of your disadvantages depending on how well you control your forces.

    The early game for the GLA has exactly the same goals as the other sides. Due to the diversity of the GLA force you need to accomplish these a little different however. My basic build order for the GLA is this:

1st worker - supply stash at base
2nd worker - walks to secondary supply
3rd worker - builds barracks
4th/1st worker - one builds arms dealer the other goes to another supply dock and builds a tunnel
2nd worker - builds tunnel and supply stash (order depends on distance from base)
3rd worker - tunnel by arms dealer

    You should make a couple scorpion tanks as soon as your arms dealer is done (unless you are rushing) before you get the rocket upgrade so you can kill Gattling and dragon tanks. You need the rocket upgrade relatively early though because without it your scorpion tanks are worthless.

    Notice that with the GLA you can have a lot more workers building and expanding. This helps offset the slow build times because you can make several structures at the same time a lot easier then the other sides can. Not only that but you can secure multiple extra supply docks while it is impractical for the other sides to go for more than one at a time.

    Always make sure to have your extra workers start hauling supplies when they are done building. Do not be afraid to pull workers off your supply line too. After I get 4 or 5 workers out of my command center I usually never queue workers out of it again. I find 7 workers per supply dock to be a little much. I would not recommend queuing up 6 extra workers every time you make a supply stash (to expensive). Just queue up enough so you have 5 gathering and then you will most likely have other workers that are done building which you can put on the supply line.

    Whenever you are trying to secure a point on the map as GLA the first building you should always make in that area is a tunnel. By making a tunnel in front of your arms dealer you can get any unit you just produced into the front lines in a matter of seconds. Not only that but you also have a place to heal all your units and a way to retreat if you come under heavy fire. It is also a good idea to make a secondary tunnel in the area just in case your enemy sends in an air strike to take out the tunnel before moving his tanks in.

    You need to get your arms dealer up as soon as possible. Your buildings build slower so you will be the most vulnerable at the start of the game until you get your first tank out. If you survive that then you can start your mid/late game destruction.