Cloaking and Stealth in Beyond All Reason

Detecting invisible units is a common pain point for newer players. The difference between stealth and cloaking in BAR is simple but critical, and knowing when units cannot see you changes how you play.

Tags: beyond all reason, bar, cloaking, stealth, radar, detection

Stealth versus cloaking

Stealth means radar cannot see the unit. The radar sweep is blind to it entirely. Cloaking means radar can detect the unit, but line of sight cannot. These are two different mechanics with different counters.

A Rezzbot can safely reclaim wrecked units as long as no enemy commands line of sight on the area. Radar does not matter if you are cloaked. But if the enemy has a detector nearby or a commander positioned with vision on your work, you are not safe. You need to check for both radar coverage and direct vision before moving units into what looks like empty space.

How detectors work

Detection units can reveal cloaked units through line of sight. Some turrets and ships carry detection equipment. If you suspect invisible units are causing problems, scout for detection coverage. An opponent might be relying on a cloaked unit type to scout your expansions or harass your economy without you knowing why things keep dying.

Spotting artillery type from its fire

You can tell the difference between static artillery and mobile artillery by the firing pattern. Mobile arty usually fires in bursts because multiple units are shooting together. Static arty has one or two guns firing with consistent timing. T1 artillery shells also have a distinct higher arc than heavier pieces.

Practical tips

Always send a scout or a commander tick to check an area before committing forces. If you are using cloaked units yourself, remember that they are visible on radar. Do not assume cloaking equals invisibility. Keep detectors near valuable structures to catch cloaked harass. Watch artillery firing patterns to know whether you are dealing with a fixed position or a mobile force.

Creed of Champions

At Creed, players share tips like these openly. You can ask questions about detection, cloaking, or any mechanic and get constructive answers. As one member noted:

[Crd] I love being able to communicate with my team, getting and sharing tips and constructive feedback on gameplay, and having a good spirited community.

Competitive RTS without the toxic baggage.