The Command Node, aka CN, is the center of your network. It uses energy to create packets and ore to make anti-creeper. It is possible to have up to 3 Command Nodes in a single game, depending on the mission's parameters. By default, a CN produces 1.5 energy and can connect to any structure within 16 squares from it. Upon destruction, it will return to orbit as if it was recalled by the player. Upon returning to orbit, all of the AC in the Command Node will drop from orbit to random locations around the map, creating an 'AC rain' effect. The CN is 9×9 squares large and can be centered on a power zone to receive a bonus. The CN can't connect to items on the map, so to pick them up, use a collector or relay.

The Collector is the first thing you will want to build, as it gathers energy. Every collector has a green collection area shown around it. The total energy collected depends on that area so you want to build your collectors so that there is minimal overlap of the green 'soylent'. Each cell covered in soylent will grant you 0.0018 energy per second, meaning that, in theory, a fully utilized collector can generate 0.2 energy per second (although this amount can almost never be achieved in practice). The collectors can also connect to any unit nearby so they are needed to expand your network. Collectors are cheap and will form the backbone of your network especially in the beginning of any map.

Relays are very useful in network building as they offer a longer connection range and conduct packets at double speed. This speed increase is really important when maintaining a large network. During an assault they are much more useful than collectors in most cases.

Reactors provide energy and don't require a collection area, unlike a Collector. This means that they can be built close to each other. Reactors produce 0.4 energy per second. They cost quite a bit so it is advised to build some energy generation capability before building reactors a few at a time.

You can build the ore mines on ore deposits (the spots with blue dots on them); ore is required to produce anti-creeper. One Ore Mine will produce 0.9 ore per second, which will be sent to the nearest CN. Be careful not to schedule too many ore mines at the very beginning of a mission as that can eat up your energy needed elsewhere.

The Siphon allows you to gather energy, ore or aether (which requires the Forge) from crystals that are laying scattered around some maps. It is advisable to build them as soon as possible when given access to a resource, especially energy.

The Shield shields you from Creeper and Spore attacks; it also is a good friend when you are trying to take out a emitter with a Nullifier. The Shield generates a field that pushes back the Creeper, however this costs 1.5 energy per second. Too much Creeper encroaching on the Shield will overwhelm and destroy it.

[TODO: get correct shield image]

The Terp, once built, will let you raise or lower the terrain for tactical attacks or defenses. In order to terraform, once you have built a Terp you must click on the 'Terraform' menu button that appears on your status HUD. Then, you can select the level you wish to terraform to and paint the terrain you wish to change. To terraform it takes one second/cell*level, and consumes 2/cell*level energy.

The Guppy lets you transport packets or ore to anywhere it can land. It changes color when you switch between packet or ore transport. Be careful with sending too many packet guppies at once, as once they take off, the landing pad will start charging another 120 packets. Ore guppies have to be built connected to a mine if you wish to transport ore.

The Pulse Cannon, aka PC, is your standard defense/attack weapon, with a fast fire rate, and low damage. It has three targeting priority options: Creeper (Default), Digitalis and Runners. It is highly advisable to change the default targeting priority on maps with digitalis as by default the PC will ignore digitalis as long as it has Creeper in range, often causing many problems during assaults. A PC will consume 0.25 energy per shot from it's ammo buffer, which can hold a maximum of 10 ammo packets.

The Mortar is your second weapon. It is much more effective at destroying dense Creeper, and can be employed to great effect in deep Creeper pools. The Mortar can also shoot over walls making it a great weapon to use in conjunction with the Terp. The Mortar consumes 3 energy per shot from it's ammo buffer, which can hold a maximum of 15 ammo packets.

Find out more information at the KnuckleCracker Wik[knucklecracker.com], where you can also find exact numbers, Power Zone effects, and more.

More units (Strafer, Bomber, Sprayer, Beam, Sniper, Nullifier, Bertha, Forge) will be added sometime in the future.