What are the Standard Pro Rules in Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour?

The default when a lobby says “pro rules”: no superweapons and none of the units that can’t be stopped in time. No superweapons: Particle Cannon, Nuclear Missile and SCUD Storm (except the two cases below). USA Super Weapon General may build 1 Particle Cannon. China and China Tank General may build a Nuclear Missile only to buy its upgrades (Nuclear Tanks, Uranium Shells) and must never fire it. Some hosts ask you to sell it afterwards. No Aurora Bomber or Aurora Alpha Bomber. No Tactical Nuke MiG upgrade (China Nuke General). No demo bikes (a Terrorist riding a Combat Cycle), for every GLA army. No Demolitions upgrade (the GLA Demolition General’s suicide upgrade). Some hosts allow it. Neutron Shells are usually allowed; a host who wants them banned must say so before the game.

What are the Twilight Flame 3v3 $50k in Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour?

The most played variation of pro rules, with extra limits on defences and air power (as used at the 2024 Twilight Flame 3v3 50k World Championships). No superweapons, except a Nuclear Missile built only to buy upgrades (China, China Tank General). USA Super Weapon General gets no Particle Cannon either. No Aurora Bomber or Aurora Alpha Bomber. No Tactical Nuke MiG upgrade. No demo bikes. A Combat Cycle ridden by Jarmen Kell or a Worker is fine. The Demolitions upgrade is allowed. No Stealth Comanche upgrade (USA Air Force General). Air Force General’s Carpet Bomb only after reaching 3 stars. No AOD: at most 2 defences per team at each oil area (yours and the enemy’s), the middle refinery, base entrances and middle entrances. The Palace counts as a defence. Unlimited defences inside an enemy base. Unlimited Tunnel Networks, including around the oils. Infantry may not capture the middle Reinforcement Pad (it can bug the game). Tip: the unofficial Twilight Flame (SkyMix & cncHD, in the GenPatcher map pack) plays faster; the official map has pathing errors.

What are the Noob Rules / Ground War in Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour?

Standard pro rules plus a 10-minute no-rush period and unit caps. Ground War also bans air units. All standard pro rules apply. No base rush for the first 10 minutes (fighting over the middle oils is allowed). At most 3 full Humvees at any one time (empty ones don’t count). At most 2 Battle Buses at any one time. At most 2 Nuke Cannons at any one time. Ground War only: no air units.

What are the FFA (Free For All) in Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour?

Standard pro rules plus a ban on walling off an entrance with defences. All standard pro rules apply. No AOD: defences on every side are fine, but you may not seal an entrance so armies die one by one. The Palace doesn’t count as a defence. Chat and short alliances are part of most FFA games; some hosts ban chat, so ask first. Some players want the Super Weapon General’s 1 Particle Cannon banned in FFA. Variant some hosts try: at most 4 Hackers, 1 Black Market and 1 Supply Drop Zone.

What are the Unofficial and Custom Maps in Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour?

Many custom maps enforce the rules inside the map itself. Always read the map description or ask the host. Casino maps: no superweapons, no Aurora Alpha Bomber, no Demolitions upgrade. Valley of Ghosts V2: Aurora Alpha Bombers and Nuke MiGs can’t be built; Nuke Cannons are blocked after 20 minutes. An edited “pro rules” version of Defcon 6 enforces the rules automatically.

What are the 1v1 Tournaments and Ranked Maps in Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour?

Competitive play bans no units, generals’ powers or superweapons. It bans cheating, bug abuse and scaffold abuse. Based on the GameReplays Zero Hour Competitive Ruleset (June 2026). All units, generals’ powers and superweapons are allowed. No maphacks or tools that show hidden information. GenTool, ControlBarPro and Generals Online features are allowed; changed hotkeys (an edited generals.csf) are fine if they don’t automate play. No live outside help (voice or screen sharing), match-fixing or letting someone else play for you. Banned bugs: Scud Bug (SCUD Storm fired before 0:00), Supply Drop Zone Bug, Premature Evacuation Bug (unloading an unfinished Tunnel Network), Scaffold Unit Bug, Worker Building in Garrison Bug, Capture Building from Inside Bug, Hiding Dozer Inside Building Bug, Worker Scaffold Stacking Bug, Worker Illegal Tunnel Placement Bug; Range Bug and Speaker Tower Bug when abused. Scaffold abuse: stopping units or buildings from firing, removing money crates, setting off Demo Traps, making guarding units shoot the scaffold, blocking a Nuclear Missile’s damage, or blocking the enemy from placing a scaffold. Scaffolds may be used to build, remove GLA scraps, fool waypoint scouting, flatten terrain, clear destroyed buildings, box in workers, and hand buildings to a teammate before leaving. Disconnects: the game goes to the opponent when the player who disconnected can be identified; otherwise it’s replayed. Each player may restart once per set at the very start for technical problems. Team games: a defeated player must leave the game promptly. Many events still ask for GenTool with upload mode on; check the event’s own rules.

Zero Hour Pro Rules

What each army may and may not build when a lobby says “pro rules”, and how the common variations differ.

Pro rules are a gentlemen’s agreement between players, not official EA rules. They vary slightly by map and host. If you’re not sure, ask the host before the game starts.

Armies

Pick the rules your lobby plays. Everything not listed here is allowed.

USA

Base army

Superweapon

Banned Particle Cannon

Banned Particle Cannon
Banned Aurora Bomber

USA Super Weapon General

General Alexander

Superweapon

Limited Particle Cannon · 1 Particle Cannon only

Limited 1 Particle Cannon only (half price for this general)Varies by host
Banned No Particle Cannon at all
Banned Aurora Alpha Bomber

USA Laser General

General Townes

Superweapon

Banned Particle Cannon

Banned Particle Cannon
Banned Aurora Bomber

USA Air Force General

General Granger

Superweapon

Banned Particle Cannon

Banned Particle Cannon
Banned Aurora Bomber
Banned Stealth Comanche upgradeVaries by host
Limited Carpet Bomb only after reaching 3 starsVaries by host

China

Base army

Superweapon

Limited Nuclear Missile · For upgrades only, never fired

Limited Nuclear Missile only to buy Nuclear Tanks and Uranium Shells; never fire itVaries by host
Note Neutron Shells (Nuke Cannon) are usually allowedVaries by host

China Tank General

General Kwai

Superweapon

Limited Nuclear Missile · For upgrades only, never fired

Limited Nuclear Missile only to buy Nuclear Tanks and Uranium Shells; never fire itVaries by host

China Infantry General

General Fai

Superweapon

Banned Nuclear Missile

Banned Nuclear Missile (not even for upgrades, so no Neutron Shells)

China Nuke General

General Tao

Superweapon

Banned Nuclear Missile · Also no Tactical Nuke MiG

Banned Nuclear Missile (its tanks already start with the upgrades)
Banned Tactical Nuke MiG upgrade

GLA

Base army

Superweapon

Banned SCUD Storm

Banned SCUD Storm
Banned Demo bike: a Terrorist riding a Combat Cycle

GLA Toxin General

Dr. Thrax

Superweapon

Banned SCUD Storm

Banned SCUD Storm
Banned Demo bike: a Toxin Terrorist riding a Combat Cycle

GLA Demolition General

General Juhziz

Superweapon

Banned SCUD Storm

Banned SCUD Storm
Banned Combat Cycles with a Terrorist (this general’s cycles come with one)
Allowed A Combat Cycle ridden by Jarmen Kell or a Worker
Banned Demolitions upgradeVaries by host
Allowed Demolitions upgrade

GLA Stealth General

Prince Kassad

Superweapon

Banned SCUD Storm

Banned SCUD Storm
Banned Demo bike: a Terrorist riding a Combat Cycle

Who may build a superweapon?

Army	Superweapon	Standard pro rules	TF 3v3 $50k
USA	Particle Cannon	Banned Banned	Banned Banned
USA Super Weapon General	Particle Cannon	Limited Limited1 Particle Cannon only	Banned Banned
USA Laser General	Particle Cannon	Banned Banned	Banned Banned
USA Air Force General	Particle Cannon	Banned Banned	Banned Banned
China	Nuclear Missile	Limited LimitedFor upgrades only, never fired	Limited LimitedFor upgrades only
China Tank General	Nuclear Missile	Limited LimitedFor upgrades only, never fired	Limited LimitedFor upgrades only
China Infantry General	Nuclear Missile	Banned Banned	Banned Banned
China Nuke General	Nuclear Missile	Banned BannedAlso no Tactical Nuke MiG	Banned BannedAlso no Tactical Nuke MiG
GLA	SCUD Storm	Banned Banned	Banned Banned
GLA Toxin General	SCUD Storm	Banned Banned	Banned Banned
GLA Demolition General	SCUD Storm	Banned Banned	Banned Banned
GLA Stealth General	SCUD Storm	Banned Banned	Banned Banned

Standard Pro Rules

Used on: Defcon 6, FFA, 2v2v2 and most lobby team games

The default when a lobby says “pro rules”: no superweapons and none of the units that can’t be stopped in time.

Banned No superweapons: Particle Cannon, Nuclear Missile and SCUD Storm (except the two cases below)
Limited USA Super Weapon General may build 1 Particle CannonVaries by host
Limited China and China Tank General may build a Nuclear Missile only to buy its upgrades (Nuclear Tanks, Uranium Shells) and must never fire it. Some hosts ask you to sell it afterwardsVaries by host
Banned No Aurora Bomber or Aurora Alpha Bomber
Banned No Tactical Nuke MiG upgrade (China Nuke General)
Banned No demo bikes (a Terrorist riding a Combat Cycle), for every GLA army
Banned No Demolitions upgrade (the GLA Demolition General’s suicide upgrade). Some hosts allow itVaries by host
Note Neutron Shells are usually allowed; a host who wants them banned must say so before the gameVaries by host

Sources

Twilight Flame 3v3 $50k

Used on: Twilight Flame 3v3 with $50,000 starting money

The most played variation of pro rules, with extra limits on defences and air power (as used at the 2024 Twilight Flame 3v3 50k World Championships).

Limited No superweapons, except a Nuclear Missile built only to buy upgrades (China, China Tank General)
Banned USA Super Weapon General gets no Particle Cannon either
Banned No Aurora Bomber or Aurora Alpha Bomber
Banned No Tactical Nuke MiG upgrade
Banned No demo bikes. A Combat Cycle ridden by Jarmen Kell or a Worker is fine
Allowed The Demolitions upgrade is allowed
Banned No Stealth Comanche upgrade (USA Air Force General)Varies by host
Limited Air Force General’s Carpet Bomb only after reaching 3 starsVaries by host
Limited No AOD: at most 2 defences per team at each oil area (yours and the enemy’s), the middle refinery, base entrances and middle entrances. The Palace counts as a defence
Allowed Unlimited defences inside an enemy base
Allowed Unlimited Tunnel Networks, including around the oils
Banned Infantry may not capture the middle Reinforcement Pad (it can bug the game)
Note Tip: the unofficial Twilight Flame (SkyMix & cncHD, in the GenPatcher map pack) plays faster; the official map has pathing errors

Sources

Noob Rules / Ground War

Used on: Twilight Flame and Hostile Dawn 3v3

Standard pro rules plus a 10-minute no-rush period and unit caps. Ground War also bans air units.

Note All standard pro rules apply
Banned No base rush for the first 10 minutes (fighting over the middle oils is allowed)Varies by host
Limited At most 3 full Humvees at any one time (empty ones don’t count)Varies by host
Limited At most 2 Battle Buses at any one timeVaries by host
Limited At most 2 Nuke Cannons at any one timeVaries by host
Banned Ground War only: no air units

Sources

FFA (Free For All)

Used on: 1v1v1v1… games, often on Defcon maps

Standard pro rules plus a ban on walling off an entrance with defences.

Note All standard pro rules apply
Banned No AOD: defences on every side are fine, but you may not seal an entrance so armies die one by one. The Palace doesn’t count as a defenceVaries by host
Note Chat and short alliances are part of most FFA games; some hosts ban chat, so ask firstVaries by host
Limited Some players want the Super Weapon General’s 1 Particle Cannon banned in FFAVaries by host
Note Variant some hosts try: at most 4 Hackers, 1 Black Market and 1 Supply Drop ZoneVaries by host

Sources

Redefining “Pro Rules” – GameReplays

Unofficial and Custom Maps

Used on: Community maps (C&C Labs, GenPatcher map pack)

Many custom maps enforce the rules inside the map itself. Always read the map description or ask the host.

Banned Casino maps: no superweapons, no Aurora Alpha Bomber, no Demolitions upgrade
Banned Valley of Ghosts V2: Aurora Alpha Bombers and Nuke MiGs can’t be built; Nuke Cannons are blocked after 20 minutes
Note An edited “pro rules” version of Defcon 6 enforces the rules automatically

Sources

1v1 Tournaments and Ranked Maps

Used on: GameReplays tournaments, World Series, ranked maps (e.g. Tournament Desert, Barren Badlands, Forgotten Forest, North America, Sand Serpent)

Competitive play bans no units, generals’ powers or superweapons. It bans cheating, bug abuse and scaffold abuse. Based on the GameReplays Zero Hour Competitive Ruleset (June 2026).

Allowed All units, generals’ powers and superweapons are allowed
Banned No maphacks or tools that show hidden information. GenTool, ControlBarPro and Generals Online features are allowed; changed hotkeys (an edited generals.csf) are fine if they don’t automate play
Banned No live outside help (voice or screen sharing), match-fixing or letting someone else play for you
Banned Banned bugs: Scud Bug (SCUD Storm fired before 0:00), Supply Drop Zone Bug, Premature Evacuation Bug (unloading an unfinished Tunnel Network), Scaffold Unit Bug, Worker Building in Garrison Bug, Capture Building from Inside Bug, Hiding Dozer Inside Building Bug, Worker Scaffold Stacking Bug, Worker Illegal Tunnel Placement Bug; Range Bug and Speaker Tower Bug when abused
Banned Scaffold abuse: stopping units or buildings from firing, removing money crates, setting off Demo Traps, making guarding units shoot the scaffold, blocking a Nuclear Missile’s damage, or blocking the enemy from placing a scaffold
Allowed Scaffolds may be used to build, remove GLA scraps, fool waypoint scouting, flatten terrain, clear destroyed buildings, box in workers, and hand buildings to a teammate before leaving
Note Disconnects: the game goes to the opponent when the player who disconnected can be identified; otherwise it’s replayed. Each player may restart once per set at the very start for technical problems
Banned Team games: a defeated player must leave the game promptly
Note Many events still ask for GenTool with upload mode on; check the event’s own rules

Sources