Weather Control

Lore & Background

In the world of Advance Wars, where warfare is often decided by the interplay of terrain and unit types, the ability to control the weather represents a pinnacle of strategic evolution. While most battles are fought under the mercy of natural cycles, Generals with Weather Control bypass these limitations entirely. This capability suggests a deep understanding of atmospheric physics or perhaps a rare biological connection to the elements, allowing them to force the environment to serve their tactical doctrine. The existence of such powerful commanders often signals a shift in the balance of power. When a General can summon a blinding fog to hide an army's movement or clear skies to maximize air unit damage, they effectively dictate the rules of engagement for that day.

In Their Own Story

The sky above the valley was a bruised purple, heavy with impending storms that had stalled for days. General Colin stood atop his command tank, the wind whipping his red scarf against his face. He didn't need to check a weather report; he could feel the static charge building in the air, waiting for his command. With a calm nod to his officers, he activated his special ability. Instantly, the oppressive clouds shattered, scattering into wisps of white vapor as brilliant sunlight flooded the valley floor. The enemy's fighter jets, previously grounded by the turbulence, now found their engines roaring with renewed efficiency, while the opposing artillery teams squinted against the sudden glare, their aim faltering under the brilliance of a sky that had just been rewritten.

Reader's Guide

Weather Control allows Generals to switch between Clear, Rain, Snow, and Fog. Each condition drastically shifts combat dynamics: Clear skies maximize air unit damage but leave ground units exposed. Rain reduces movement for all units while boosting anti-air gun effectiveness, making it ideal for defense against aerial assaults. Snow severely hampers land vehicle movement, often trapping tanks and APCs in place, yet it does not affect infantry or aircraft as harshly. Fog is the most deceptive condition, obscuring vision so that enemy units cannot be targeted unless they are adjacent to friendly forces, effectively nullifying long-range fire. Activation typically requires a specific number of turns to recharge, often scaling with the map size or difficulty. Tactically, players use this ability to counter enemy compositions; for instance, switching to Rain when an opponent relies on bombers, or using Fog to protect retreating units from harassment.

Did You Know?

• The source does not mention any weather control ability or its users.
• The source describes weather conditions that can affect vision and movement of ground units, but does not attribute them to any commander's special ability.
• Olaf's CO Power makes it snow, limiting the movement range of his opponent, according to the source.
• The source states that weather conditions, when active, can affect the vision and movement of ground units.
• Fog of war, when active, can reduce a player's vision, making them depend on individual units' lines of sight.