Not sure what Counter-Battery Fire is in Iron Nest? The titular metallic beast you control in Iron Nest is insanely powerful, but it is not unbeatable. While most of your enemies will be powerless to oppose it in any meaningful way, that's not true for enemy artillery. The moment you start attacking, they will try to locate you and fire back. In this guide, I'll explain how this mechanic works and what you can do to stop the Counter-Battery Timer.
What is Counter-Battery Fire in Iron Nest
As the name obviously implies, Counter-Battery Fire is the enemy's response to your attack. If there are enemy artillery units present on the map during a mission, the moment you fire your first shell, they will start looking for your position in order to neutralize your fire - that is, to destroy the Iron Nest. Luckily for you, this doesn't happen immediately, and you'll usually have time to respond to the enemy fire as well.
Counter-Battery Timer
Once the danger becomes imminent, this will be clearly indicated in-game via alarming sirens, blinking red lights, and, most importantly, the Counter-Battery Timer, which will start counting down to zero from a set number, such as 300 or 600 seconds. The timer is located just to the left of the High Command typewriter; you cannot miss it.
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Artillery Units
Enemy artillery units are the ones threatening the Iron Nest with counterfire. If they are present on the map, the moment you fire your first shell, the Counter-Battery Timer will start counting down. When it reaches zero, you will be hit by Counter-Battery Fire from these enemy artillery units. That's why it is imperative to destroy them before they get you.
PRO TIP: If you know there is artillery in the mission, by far the most optimal approach is to mark everything you know on the Iron Nest Tactical Map. Mark all known variables, such as spotters and reference points, conduct all the measurements needed to locate as many targets as possible, and calculate as many elevations as possible before firing your first shell. This way, you'll have much more time to respond once the Counter-Battery Timer starts ticking down.
How to Stop Counter-Battery Timer in Iron Nest
Luckily for you, there are ways to avoid being destroyed by Counter-Battery Fire in Iron Nest. In essence, you will want to complete the current mission before the timer reaches zero. To do that, you need to strategically use the resources at your disposal, choose what to attack and in which order, and keep the Counter-Battery Timer from reaching zero. Here's how to do it:
- Destroy Artillery - Each time you successfully hit an enemy Artillery target, you will add 30 seconds to CBT (Counter-Battery Timer). If you destroy all enemy Artillery units, the CBT will stop permanently, and you will no longer be in danger.
- Destroy Fire Direction Centers - Whenever you destroy a Fire Direction Center, you will completely stop the Counter-Battery Timer. It will remain on hold until you fire your next shell.
- Request Emergency Move - At the requisition station, you can purchase the Emergency Move action. This will immediately move the Iron Nest to an unknown position, add 120 seconds to the Counter-Battery Timer, and pause the timer until you fire again.
NOTE: If you are playing the challenge, it is not possible to destroy all the artillery units. The idea behind the mode is to destroy as many enemy targets as possible before you are inevitably destroyed by Counter-Battery Fire. In this mode, it's highly advisable to destroy the three Fire Direction Centers, as each one will pause the timer until your next attack on a non-FDC unit.
Iron Nest Counter-Battery FAQs
CBT is short for Counter-Battery Timer, a countdown that appears once you fire your first shell in a mission where enemy artillery is present.
You will be hit by enemy Counter-Battery Fire, meaning artillery fire. This usually means the end of that mission, as you have failed it.
Destroying an artillery unit will add 30 seconds to the timer. Destroying a Fire Direction Center (FDC) will pause the timer until you fire another shell at a non-FDC target. Using the Emergency Move action will both pause the timer and add 120 seconds to it.
Yes. If you destroy all enemy artillery units in the mission, the danger will be gone, and the timer will stop counting down.
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And there you have it - now you know all there is to know about Counter-Battery Fire and the Counter-Battery Timer in Iron Nest. Hopefully, you will now be able to survive enemy artillery in Iron Nest. Thanks for reading, and while you're here, be sure to check out our other guides and walkthroughs over at our dedicated Iron Nest guides hub.
