Originally Posted by kmonster

There's no special surprise tactic needed. Capture the factory as soon as possible and build some useful units, make a defensive formation, let the computer come to you and destroy its units, try to attack units so they can't attack back.

Originally Posted by Unregistered :))

I also wrote off the NW convey but flew my fighter out to assist with taking enemy depot in NE. Leave the helicopter to bate the fighters in. By the time there bombers have taken out the NE convey you will have already gained land and air superiority.

Originally Posted by kmonster

Some starting advice for the final map RIVER:

In the NW corner (near the enemy HQ) move your convoy south so that you can unload the mechs onto the mountain south and the two air defenses to the east. Place the copter above the the transport and the mosquito NW of it.
The next turn the enemy will attack your mechs and mosquitos twice with his bombers and and mosquitos, but both units should survive.
Now move the southern air defense SE, the mechs NW where it stood, and the other air defense where the mechs were. Move your mosquitos south so they can attack both bombers and surround them further with your copter and convoy. With the penalties for being surrounded and attack support bonusses from your mosquitos your ground air defenses can wipe out the bombers, have your air units attack afterwards in case you're unlucky.

Unload the two tanks from the western convoy and move it south, so you can conquer the southern depot with your mechs at turn 3. Attacking the enemy tank attacking your tanks from opposite directions should wipe it out at turn 2.

I'd move the southern convoy NE to the shore and unload the units. In turn 2 I'd move it further north so it can absorb the attacks of the western artillery. You can keep the mechs and the transport inside for getting a surprise attack at the artillery later, but unloading them before moving might be better, both tactics worked.

In the east you can place a blocker as bait for the northern artillery so that it doesn't move forward. I've never done it, but it's probably a good idea to fill the southern invader with scorpions and have it move west, so that they can overrun the enemy units from the southwest of your HQ.
I'm not sure if it's better to unload the battle tanks at the north below the enemy depot or have them transported near the HQ, both tactics worked.

For fighting the bombers with boats or battle tanks try to surround them and make sure they can't escape and get repaired. Try to build defense lines to make sure they can't fly everywhere they want. Even units incapable of shooting into the air like convoys can block them.
A way for encircling enemy units when the way behind is blocked is moving a transport next to them and unloading the content to the side you couldn't reach otherwise.
Sometimes it can be wise to sacrifice unimportant units like convoys to keep some enemy units busy so you can overpower the others.

The map is tough, but it isn't too tough. You can afford little mistakes, it's winable with several different strategies. Unlike at the other maps just building a defensive wall and repairing units doesn't work.
It's important to consider when and at which part of the map you have to speed up or slow down combat.

Originally Posted by Eagle of Fire

Well, it seems that the BI that I played was the second part. This one looks and feels way too old fashioned for me. Sluggish controls, no explanation whatsoever of what you can do... I'll pass this time.

I'll continue playing TTD...