In this article I will try to explain strategies and tips about how to play with the Nod. At the first section I will explain to you how to construct and expand your base and how to use Nod's army effectively. At the later section I will explain some tips about rushing, and turtling strategies, how to deal with the GDI, another Nod and the Scrin.
Nod General Strategies
For any player, the most important part of any game is the initial build que. Building a crane, one or two Refineries, Hand of Nod, and a few Power Plants is necessary for anybody. Once you have those basic buildings up, you should start expanding, claiming another tiberium field. Be careful when you do this however, always protect your surveyor well.
You should take advantages of Nod's stealth capabilities during the game, and that means cloaking units, using hit and run tactics and going around to the back of the enemy base instead of pummeling through the front door like GDI. Strike your enemy's construction and economy, it will hurt them most.
Raider Buggies are units with the most potential during the game, upgrade them with EMP packs they will play important role in almost all attacks. Raider Buggies can knock out key points in defenses, or disable an attack so it can be destroyed by your own defenses. The EMP blast is large enough to take out a number of enemies, or buildings such as power plants.
Avatars are expensive, so you should know how to use them. You should decide the best upgrades for your Avatars. For example, on a non urban map, you don't really need a flamethrower, since they most likely won't run into any infantry. Invisibility is almost always a good option. It is a good idea to keep a few of them around each War Factory, they can be an incredibly strong and versatile base defense that auto-repairs thanks to the factories repair drones.
Capturing a building is better than destroying it. Saboteurs are suitable for this task, they can also trap a structure, so they can turn the tight passageways into deathtraps. Use your saboteurs on the wreck to capture GDI's juggernaut.
Vertigo bombers are tough, use them together with an EMP to knock out anti-air sites. A large group of Venom's work just as well, as they serve as fodder while the Vertigo dismantles the enemy base. Also, use their stealth abilities to your advantage.
Veteran your units, if you can. Two fully veteran Attack Bikes can take down a PAC.
Nod Rushing Strategies
Because Nod units quickly get outclassed in the late game, rushing is one of the strongest strategic options available for the Nod. Nearly all Nod units have rushing capability, even though some are more effective than others, shadow teams for example.
The first option for Nod's rush is Scorpion rush. You start out by building a power plant and then proceeding to buy a refinery. After you have done this, build 4 war factories and then create anywhere from 6-10 Tanks. While your tanks are building, you can choose to go for the laser upgrade, but you are wasting precious time. The general rule is by the first 5 Minutes, you should already have between 10-15 Scorpion Tanks completed. After you've done this, rush your opponent from the side not the front. Rush him where you feel he will have weak defenses. Go for the MCV's and War Factories.
You should never forget the Raider buggy. Send them in along with Scorpions to take out enemy units in case you run into someone with a horde of anti-tank infantry, since this is the most common effective counter to the tank rush. Since the Raider's won't have their EMP abilities this early, just keep them in the back and use them to fight off any infantry that is around.
You can also try Venom Rush. Venom takes slightly longer time to develop than the scorpion tank rush, but it pays off if you have enough money. You should start by building a power plant, followed by a refinery, hand of Nod, another refinery and a war factory. Then Build another power plant, and then follow up with the Op center and a air station then create a lot of venoms. If you want to and have the cash, build another air station. While all this is going, build a tech center. You might need an extra harvestor, depending on the map. Once your tech center is done, and you have around 15-20 venoms, upgrade them with lasers. Send your venoms to destroy harvestors, and come at the enemy from the sides. With Lasers they can make short work of enemy pitbulls and gun walkers.
