Blaster Launcher - Revision history

Hobbes: categorizing

2013-07-23T03:47:05Z

categorizing

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:47, 23 July 2013
Line 99:		Line 99:
	[[Category:Equipment (EU)]]		[[Category:Equipment (EU)]]
	[[Category:Research (EU)]]		[[Category:Research (EU)]]
			[[Category:Enemy Unknown/UFO Defense]]

Cesium at 18:19, 15 January 2010

2010-01-15T18:19:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:19, 15 January 2010
Line 98:		Line 98:
	{{Equipment (UFO Defense) Navbar}}		{{Equipment (UFO Defense) Navbar}}
	[[Category:Equipment (EU)]]		[[Category:Equipment (EU)]]
	[[Category:Research]]		[[Category:Research (EU)]]

Bomb Bloke at 05:45, 18 December 2009

2009-12-18T05:45:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:45, 18 December 2009
Line 6:		Line 6:

	Blaster Launchers are usually carried by Commanders, Leaders and Engineers. In the case of Mutons, Commanders and Leaders that have been demoted to soldier will retain their Blaster Launchers.		Blaster Launchers are usually carried by Commanders, Leaders and Engineers. In the case of Mutons, Commanders and Leaders that have been demoted to soldier will retain their Blaster Launchers.

			This weapon appears in ''[[X-COM\|UFO: Enemy Unknown]]''. For the ''[[TFTD\|Terror from the Deep]]'' equivalent, refer to the [[Disruptor Pulse Launcher]].

	== Stats ==		== Stats ==
Line 95:		Line 97:
	==See also==		==See also==
	{{Equipment (UFO Defense) Navbar}}		{{Equipment (UFO Defense) Navbar}}
	[[Category:Equipment]]		[[Category:Equipment (EU)]]
	[[Category:Research]]		[[Category:Research]]

Venganza: /* Safe practise */

2009-08-02T02:14:34Z

Safe practise

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:14, 2 August 2009
Line 65:		Line 65:
	Try to always have your soldier <i>exactly</i> facing the first waypoint position (turn soldier or set 1st point accordingly), to reduce the chances of BB drift.		Try to always have your soldier <i>exactly</i> facing the first waypoint position (turn soldier or set 1st point accordingly), to reduce the chances of BB drift.

	== Safe ~~practise~~ ==		== Safe practice ==
	Because of the indirect-fire nature of the Blaster Launcher, Launcher-armed soldiers need not be on your squad's front line. Ideally, Launcher-armed units should be kept out of the line of fire to prevent them from using reaction fire, which could result in the death of several friendly units, including the unit carrying the launcher.		Because of the indirect-fire nature of the Blaster Launcher, Launcher-armed soldiers need not be on your squad's front line. Ideally, Launcher-armed units should be kept out of the line of fire to prevent them from using reaction fire, which could result in the death of several friendly units, including the unit carrying the launcher.

Hajo: /* Tactics */

2009-07-24T16:38:29Z

Tactics

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:38, 24 July 2009
Line 43:		Line 43:
	Aim for large, open areas first to maximize the effects of your blasts. If you want to send a shell into a UFO, first punch open the bridge, then send a shell into that section of the craft to ensure you destroy the highest ranking aliens. This will reduce both [[psionic]] attacks and enemy [[morale]].		Aim for large, open areas first to maximize the effects of your blasts. If you want to send a shell into a UFO, first punch open the bridge, then send a shell into that section of the craft to ensure you destroy the highest ranking aliens. This will reduce both [[psionic]] attacks and enemy [[morale]].

	When using BBs for base defense, remember that it is possible to destroy your own base with them! Use waypoints to hit the rear side of your (indestructible) entry lift (this helps to avoid destroying adjacent modules), then send another through the resulting hole to nuke the lift contents. Now nuke the (also indestructible) hangars. Be careful of the effects of drift whenever firing through a narrow area.		When using BBs for base defense, remember that it is possible to destroy your own base with them! Use waypoints to hit the rear side of your (indestructible) entry lift (this helps to avoid destroying adjacent modules), then send another through the resulting hole to nuke the lift contents. Now nuke the (also indestructible) hangars.
			Be careful of the effects of drift whenever firing through a narrow area.

	Units can only hold so many Blaster Bombs. However, because just about any target can be hit from anywhere, there's no real need for the launcher units to move about. Hence one tactic is to have them stand on top of a large supply of ammo, as opposed to having them carry the extra bombs with them.		Units can only hold so many Blaster Bombs. However, because just about any target can be hit from anywhere, there's no real need for the launcher units to move about.
			Hence, one tactic is to have them stand on top of a large supply of ammo, as opposed to having them carry the extra bombs with them.

	Blasters are the key for the ultimate anti-Sectoid Leader/Commander tactic. Load a Skyranger with three [[Hovertank/Plasma\|plasma tanks]] two soldiers and a blaster with a high amount of ammo, but don't equip it. Send out your tanks to flush out and kill the aliens. As soon as one of the HWPs are sighted, the Sectoids will start to mind control one of the soldiers. Send that one into a two-story building and shoot out the stairs to put him/her out of the fray. If you see multiple Sectoids or Cyberdiscs gathering around (for example, in the [[Abductor]]'s examination room), blast them. After the tanks have cleared the outside, use the blaster to create an entrance into the UFO wide enough for the tanks to enter (you might want to repeat it for every floor if the lifts are small). While clearing the UFO, you might want to destroy the bridge to put the Leader/Commander out of commission.		Blasters are the key for the ultimate anti-Sectoid Leader/Commander tactic:
			Load a Skyranger with three [[Hovertank/Plasma\|plasma tanks]], two soldiers and a blaster with a high amount of ammo, but don't equip it.
			Send out your tanks to flush out and kill the aliens. As soon as one of the HWPs are sighted, the Sectoids will start to mind control one of the soldiers. Send that one into a two-story building and shoot out the stairs to put him/her out of the fray.
			If you see multiple Sectoids or Cyberdiscs gathering around (for example, in the [[Abductor]]'s examination room), blast them. After the tanks have cleared the outside, use the blaster to create an entrance into the UFO wide enough for the tanks to enter (you might want to repeat it for every floor if the lifts are small). While clearing the UFO, you might want to destroy the bridge to put the Leader/Commander out of commission.

	== Drift ==		== Drift ==

FullAuto at 21:08, 17 July 2009

2009-07-17T21:08:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:08, 17 July 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	This man-portable total destruction device is the heaviest weapon alien artifact you'll discover. It fires the football-shaped [[Blaster Bomb]] which can hover and route through up to nine programmable waypoints before detonating on impact with a small explosion. 'Small' being a relative term for battlefield nuclear weapons. A safety radius of 10-20 meters is a good guideline. Blaster Bombs are ''outside'' toys, and can generally be relied upon to kill anything unlucky enough to be hit by them (and anything nearby). Although the weapon can only fire one shot before requiring a reload, one shot is usually enough.		This man-portable total destruction device is the heaviest weapon alien artifact you'll discover. It fires the football-shaped [[Blaster Bomb]] which can hover and route through up to nine programmable waypoints before detonating on impact with a small explosion. 'Small' being a relative term for battlefield nuclear weapons. A safety radius of 10-20 meters is a good guideline. Blaster Bombs are ''outside'' toys, and can generally be relied upon to kill anything unlucky enough to be hit by them (and anything nearby). Although the weapon can only fire one shot before requiring a reload, one shot is usually enough.

	Researching the Launcher and ~~it's~~ ammo allows you to research the [[Fusion Ball Launcher]] and [[Hovertank/Launcher]] projects.		Researching the Launcher and its ammo allows you to research the [[Fusion Ball Launcher]] and [[Hovertank/Launcher]] projects.

	Blaster Launchers will only be encountered during Battleship, Alien Base, and ~~Xcom~~ Base missions. Late game, you are ~~GUARANTEED~~ to face several of these things ~~EVERY~~ battleship or Base mission.		Blaster Launchers will only be encountered during Battleship, Alien Base, and X-Com Base missions. Late game, you are guaranteed to face several of these things every battleship or Base mission.

	Blaster Launchers are usually carried by Commanders, Leaders and Engineers. In the case of Mutons, Commanders and Leaders that have been demoted to soldier will retain their Blaster Launchers.		Blaster Launchers are usually carried by Commanders, Leaders and Engineers. In the case of Mutons, Commanders and Leaders that have been demoted to soldier will retain their Blaster Launchers.
Line 28:		Line 28:
	BB [[explosions]] have an 11 tile radius. A soldier on the 11th tile can still be '''killed''' as BB's do average 90 points damage '''at the edge''' of the explosion.		BB [[explosions]] have an 11 tile radius. A soldier on the 11th tile can still be '''killed''' as BB's do average 90 points damage '''at the edge''' of the explosion.

	'''~~NOTE~~''': Though the [[UFOpaedia]] states that the blaster launcher costs 80% of your TUs to fire, this is in fact incorrect. It only costs 66% to use the launch command. The 80% only applies to the blaster launcher's 'aimed shot', which is disabled when the 'launch' command is enabled. The launch command is a completely different firing mode entirely.		'''Note''': Though the [[UFOpaedia]] states that the blaster launcher costs 80% of your TUs to fire, this is in fact incorrect. It only costs 66% to use the launch command. The 80% only applies to the blaster launcher's 'aimed shot', which is disabled when the 'launch' command is enabled. The launch command is a completely different firing mode entirely.

	== Usage ==		== Usage ==
Line 60:		Line 60:
	Try to always have your soldier <i>exactly</i> facing the first waypoint position (turn soldier or set 1st point accordingly), to reduce the chances of BB drift.		Try to always have your soldier <i>exactly</i> facing the first waypoint position (turn soldier or set 1st point accordingly), to reduce the chances of BB drift.

	== Safe ~~Practise~~ ==		== Safe practise ==
	Because of the indirect-fire nature of the Blaster Launcher, Launcher-armed soldiers need not be on your squad's front line. Ideally, Launcher-armed units should be kept out of the line of fire to prevent them from using reaction fire, which could result in the death of several friendly units, including the unit carrying the launcher.		Because of the indirect-fire nature of the Blaster Launcher, Launcher-armed soldiers need not be on your squad's front line. Ideally, Launcher-armed units should be kept out of the line of fire to prevent them from using reaction fire, which could result in the death of several friendly units, including the unit carrying the launcher.

Line 69:		Line 69:
	Finally, when facing psionic Sectoid Leaders/Commanders or Ethereals, DO NOT give a blaster launcher to a soldier susceptable to mind control or panic attacks.		Finally, when facing psionic Sectoid Leaders/Commanders or Ethereals, DO NOT give a blaster launcher to a soldier susceptable to mind control or panic attacks.

	== Dud ~~Shells~~ ==		== Dud shells ==
	Sometimes you will get into a situation where your blaster launcher cannot be loaded with a new shell. When you examine the weapon, you'll find that it's still loaded, but will have 0 rounds. In order to use the blaster again, the empty shell must be unloaded.		Sometimes you will get into a situation where your blaster launcher cannot be loaded with a new shell. When you examine the weapon, you'll find that it's still loaded, but will have 0 rounds. In order to use the blaster again, the empty shell must be unloaded.

Line 81:		Line 81:
	Dud shells do not come back to base with you at the end of a mission.		Dud shells do not come back to base with you at the end of a mission.

	== Avoiding ~~Reaction Fire~~ ==		== Avoiding reaction fire ==
	* In case it's not obvious, reaction-fired blasters are generally a bad thing. There is no chance to guide them, so they fly straight forward, and your soldiers will gladly fire at a target a few paces away. Unless the target is far away and the shot is very accurate, you can expect several friendly casualties. Keep your blaster units out of the line of sight of the enemy, and/or with weapons unloaded until needed. It may be sufficient to have them face away from the combat zone. Alternately, one can expend unwanted TUs by ordering the soldier to rotate in place or perform "sit-ups" (e.g. crouching/uncrouching rapidly).		* In case it's not obvious, reaction-fired blasters are generally a bad thing. There is no chance to guide them, so they fly straight forward, and your soldiers will gladly fire at a target a few paces away. Unless the target is far away and the shot is very accurate, you can expect several friendly casualties. Keep your blaster units out of the line of sight of the enemy, and/or with weapons unloaded until needed. It may be sufficient to have them face away from the combat zone. Alternately, one can expend unwanted TUs by ordering the soldier to rotate in place or perform "sit-ups" (e.g. crouching/uncrouching rapidly).
	* After a shot is spent via reaction fire, the empty casing "dud" must be unloaded before using again. This bug has been fixed in the Collectors Edition of X-Com UFO and no longer occurs except with normal one-waypoint shots.		* After a shot is spent via reaction fire, the empty casing "dud" must be unloaded before using again. This bug has been fixed in the Collectors Edition of X-Com UFO and no longer occurs except with normal one-waypoint shots.
Line 88:		Line 88:
	* An even better trick is to arm another weapon in the other hand and set it as the [[active weapon]] (that is, visible in the soldiers hands) before ending the turn. You will only switch over to the blaster launcher once the active weapon runs out of ammo (which will never happen if it is a [[Laser Pistol]] or [[Laser Rifle\|Rifle]]).		* An even better trick is to arm another weapon in the other hand and set it as the [[active weapon]] (that is, visible in the soldiers hands) before ending the turn. You will only switch over to the blaster launcher once the active weapon runs out of ammo (which will never happen if it is a [[Laser Pistol]] or [[Laser Rifle\|Rifle]]).

	==See ~~Also~~==		==See also==
	{{Equipment (UFO Defense) Navbar}}		{{Equipment (UFO Defense) Navbar}}
	[[Category:Equipment]]		[[Category:Equipment]]
	[[Category:Research]]		[[Category:Research]]

Hobbes at 15:19, 30 June 2009

2009-06-30T15:19:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:19, 30 June 2009
Line 91:		Line 91:
	{{Equipment (UFO Defense) Navbar}}		{{Equipment (UFO Defense) Navbar}}
	[[Category:Equipment]]		[[Category:Equipment]]
			[[Category:Research]]

Jasonred at 09:23, 22 April 2009

2009-04-22T09:23:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:23, 22 April 2009
Line 5:		Line 5:
	Blaster Launchers will only be encountered during Battleship, Alien Base, and Xcom Base missions. Late game, you are GUARANTEED to face several of these things EVERY battleship or Base mission.		Blaster Launchers will only be encountered during Battleship, Alien Base, and Xcom Base missions. Late game, you are GUARANTEED to face several of these things EVERY battleship or Base mission.

	Blaster Launchers are carried by Commanders, Leaders and Engineers.		Blaster Launchers are usually carried by Commanders, Leaders and Engineers. In the case of Mutons, Commanders and Leaders that have been demoted to soldier will retain their Blaster Launchers.

	== Stats ==		== Stats ==

Jasonred at 21:06, 31 March 2009

2009-03-31T21:06:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:06, 31 March 2009
Line 2:		Line 2:

	Researching the Launcher and it's ammo allows you to research the [[Fusion Ball Launcher]] and [[Hovertank/Launcher]] projects.		Researching the Launcher and it's ammo allows you to research the [[Fusion Ball Launcher]] and [[Hovertank/Launcher]] projects.

			Blaster Launchers will only be encountered during Battleship, Alien Base, and Xcom Base missions. Late game, you are GUARANTEED to face several of these things EVERY battleship or Base mission.

			Blaster Launchers are carried by Commanders, Leaders and Engineers.

	== Stats ==		== Stats ==

Jasonred: /* Safe Practise */

2009-03-29T15:25:44Z

Safe Practise

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:25, 29 March 2009
Line 61:		Line 61:
	While the Blaster Bomb is an awesome tool in your fight against the aliens, it is still originally their weapon, and there are times when it will be used against you. Alien units will only carry them during a base defense/offense mission or if deployed on [[Battleship]]s. During these missions, soldiers caught out in the open are wise to crouch (true of any situation). A BB shot directly at a crouching soldier on a level course will simply fly harmlessly over their head, (hopefully) detonating at a distance.		While the Blaster Bomb is an awesome tool in your fight against the aliens, it is still originally their weapon, and there are times when it will be used against you. Alien units will only carry them during a base defense/offense mission or if deployed on [[Battleship]]s. During these missions, soldiers caught out in the open are wise to crouch (true of any situation). A BB shot directly at a crouching soldier on a level course will simply fly harmlessly over their head, (hopefully) detonating at a distance.

	If an alien is carrying a blaster launcher, you can prevent it from shooting by having your soldiers move right up next to it. The AI, though generally stupid, does have some sense of self preservation and will not fire a blaster launcher at a close range target. Just remember that units further away may still be fired on. This strategy only works on aliens with blasters and grenades, and only applies to UFO and TFTD. The aliens in X-Com Apocalypse are a tad psychotic when it comes to explosives.		If an alien is carrying a blaster launcher, you can prevent it from shooting by having your soldiers move right up next to it. The AI, though generally stupid, does have some sense of self preservation and will usually not fire a blaster launcher at a close range target. Just remember that units further away may still be fired on. This strategy only works on aliens with blasters and grenades, and only applies to UFO and TFTD. The aliens in X-Com Apocalypse are a tad psychotic when it comes to explosives.

	Finally, when facing psionic Sectoid Leaders/Commanders or Ethereals, DO NOT give a blaster launcher to a soldier susceptable to mind control or panic attacks.		Finally, when facing psionic Sectoid Leaders/Commanders or Ethereals, DO NOT give a blaster launcher to a soldier susceptable to mind control or panic attacks.