Tactics | The Beta Grey Goo Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Build small, forward outposts. Your great advantage is that you can build actually anywhere, as long as the spot remains within the sight of units. Dispatch airborne units and use them to build a Small Hub near a deposit, in areas that are difficult to access, or behind the enemy lines. Then, attach refineries, factories and fortifications to them. Have such outposts mine for you or build armies that attack the opponent from the least expected directions. Lots of small bases will distract him and, in many cases, will allow you to continue your game, after you have lost your HQ.
Build fortifications. Take advantage of your building capabilities and surround the base with wall. Man turrets with defenders, put artillery behind them and see the enemy attacks get shattered. Also, build fortifications in narrow passages, on hilltops and other spots, where you can vex your enemy. It is especially useful at the beginning of the game, when the opponent still does not have units for speedy destruction of buildings. Turrets, especially the ones with on unit on top, will be difficult to take out, then.
Attack with your fortifications. Combine both of the above tactics. First, fly up to the enemy base, outside of his sight. Find a spot at the side of the enemy base and start building a Small Hub with factory there, and surround it with a wall. Wait for the enemy to leave the base, find a weak point in his defenses and attack him. Even if the enemy fights you back, your base should prevail, thanks to the fortifications. Thanks to this, the enemy will have to fight on two frontlines, which will make it difficult for him to win.
Also, you can block the only passage to the enemy base with fortifications. This maneuver requires you to have enough resources and good timing, because putting up walls takes more than 25 seconds. Apart from that, the units that are to man turrets should also wait there. However, if you manage to pull that off, you will put an abrupt halt to the enemy expansion, whereas you gain freedom to build more bases. This tactic is especially effective against Humans, who are incapable of building forward bases, without the necessity to connect them to the main base.
Use your factories to fight. Hand of Ruk can be used in a multitude of ways. You can build this unit behind enemy lines and use it as a mobile factory and a turret. You can build it at the base and dispatch it into combat, while building soldiers along your path. You can hide it in thickets and slowly form the army from there. You can send it into an allied base and create reinforcements for him there. Think of where the Hand of Ruk will be of most use and dispatch it there, even if this means that you will have to use it in direct fights.