I find that umbrellas and catapults are too slow to effectively destroy clouds of SXX lasers appearing directly over a commander. Even building rows of catapults and circles of umbrellas is an insufficient defense. How do you defend against a cloud of 30 SXX lasers appearing directly over your commander?
Well, if your opponent has the eco to build 30 of those, you are already kind of in trouble. You could set your commander on patrol so is just keeps walking around. That way the SXXes at least won't appear directly above your commander unless the timing is really good. Alternatively, you can pick up your commander in an Astraeus when you see the SXXes coming and quickly move it out of the way using the S. Move to keep the Astraeus in the air layer.
Place a teleporter next to your commander and one somewhere else safe so you can switch locations quickly.
