The scenarios of Northern Inferno

As you probably know by now, Northern Inferno is coming this Thursday as part of the massive v1.09 update. The first DLC pack for Command, NI is also important as its standalone nature allows players to purchase and enjoy it regardless of whether they already own CMANO or not.

Let’s peruse the 15 scenarios that comprise this epic WW3 campaign. Each scenario can be played either as part of the campaign (in which case reaching a certain “pass score” is necessary in order to advance to the next scenario) or in standalone mode like all other CMANO scenarios.

Here is the list:

Opening Moves: Soviet submarines are rushing across the Norwegian Sea, heading for the Greenland-Iceland-UK (GIUK) gap, doorway to the Atlantic. NATO naval forces mobilize to stem the tide.

Goblin on the doorstep: Amidst the growing crisis, the British strategic nuclear submarine HMS Revenge is putting out to sea. Soviet strategic doctrine dictates targeting and destroying these invaluable assets as soon as possible during a crisis or war. It’s a long way out to the safety of deep water…

The Fast and the Furious: The war is spreading. A powerful Soviet amphibious force is heading towards northern Norway, screened by multiple squadrons of missile fast-attack craft. With the bulk of NATO’s Atlantic forces already committed elsewhere, what can Norway do to blunt the invasion?

Barents Sea Boomers: After absorbing punch after punch, NATO swings to the offensive by applying one of the key tenets of the 1980’s Maritime Strategy: Hunt down and attempt to sink the Soviet strategic submarines (SSBNs) inside their protective bastions.

Beware of the Badger: Norway has been invaded. The US and UK are rushing heavy amphibious forces to support the bulwark in the north. But the Soviet Naval Aviation’s missile-armed bombers roam over the Norwegian Sea. Will enough reinforcements reach Norway to matter?

The Grey Ghost from the East Coast: Taking a page out of the WW2 Kriegsmarine playbook, the Soviet Navy is sending its Sverdlov heavy cruisers down the Denmark strait, bypassing the battered Icelandic defences, in hopes of further straining NATO’s overburdened Atlantic screen. Standing in their way is a USN surface group centered around the Newport News, the US Navy’s last heavy-gun cruiser. Can the “Grey Ghost” and her cohorts crash the Sverdlov raiding party?

The Mighty O: Iceland has been heavily bombarded and then seized by Soviet forces. Soon, Soviet naval bombers will be able to operate from the polar island’s airbases, striking at will all over the Atlantic. For NATO, this is unacceptable – and the carrier Oriskany will spearhead the operation to shut Iceland down.

Damn The Torpedoes: A large, vital NATO convoy is approaching Europe with cargo and container ships as well as oil tankers. The Soviet Union has warned NATO that any further overseas reinforcement of Europe “will dramatically escalate the situation”. The Red Banner Fleet’s submarine force is gunning for the convoy en masse. How many will survive to reach the French coast?

Fox Two: The Soviet bomber force is down for maintenance and re-arming, preparing for a big raid, and NATO intel suggests that the British Isles, so far unscathed from the carnage in continental Europe, are on the top of the target list. The Royal Air Force (RAF) is withdrawing from Norway and consolidating to protect the UK mainland. What will be the price of protecting the Crown?

An Eye for an Eye: RAF bases have been hit with nuclear weapons. NATO does not want to escalate to all-out nuclear war, but Britain must respond in kind. The Ark Royal carrier group and its Buccaneer low-level strike aircraft will strike at the heart of Soviet Naval Aviation.

Fire and Brimstone: The Saratoga and JFK carrier groups are tied down off the coast of Norway, supporting a desperate NATO holding action against advancing Soviet armor. This makes them perfect targets for Soviet missile bombers. Tactical nuclear weapons release has been granted. The all-out “bombers vs. carriers” battle that both sides have been rehearsing for over 20 years is about to explode.

Hunter or Hunted: Both sides in the massive conflict are beginning to show signs of exhaustion. NATO carrier groups have been heavily damaged and forced to withdraw towards the GIUK gap, leaving subs and aircraft as the primary offensive assets. To bolster its own battered surface forces, the Soviet Navy is hurriedly commissioning and putting to sea the Kiev, its first real aircraft carrier. A trio of NATO nuclear submarines are hastily assembled to form the welcoming committee.

Deliverance: The Soviet occupation of Iceland has been a constant problem for NATO planners. Soviet forces on the island have been repeatedly harassed but never truly neutralized. NATO now feels confident enough to seriously attempt to seize control of the island back. Multiple carrier groups and support forces, including the amphibious-modified USS Iowa, are converging on Iceland. But the Soviets will not hand over their most important outpost without a fight.

Needle in a Hay Stack: BothSoviet and NATO strategic nuclear forces are being brought to a high state of readiness. The United States is now at DEFCON 2. Peace talks are at a stalemate after an attempted assassination on the US ambassador in Geneva. Unidentified submarines have been sighted off the coast of Nova Scotia. If Soviet submarines can roam in these waters, the US will be under constant threat of a sudden decapitation nuclear strike.

Fail Safe: Amidst a terrible nuclear crisis, multiple cells of SAC B-52 bombers, armed with nuclear weapons, are reaching their “point of no return” locations over the Artic circle. Soviet strategic forces and air defences alike are in the highest alert level. Fingers rest on nuclear triggers. Can global thermonuclear war be averted?

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