Blaster Launcher (XCOM: Enemy Unknown)

Blaster Launcher
Specifications
Type	Rocket Launcher
SoldierClass	Heavy
Base Damage	9
Critical Damage	N/A
Critical Chance	N/A
Effective Range	Medium
Damage to environment	500
Clip Size	Special
Cost	§275

The Blaster Launcher is a heavy weapon in XCOM: Enemy Unknown and the only available upgrade over the standard Rocket Launcher.

In-Game Description

“	By integrating components of the advanced alien navigation systems, we can fire self-guided rockets capable of navigating to the intended target without direct line-of-sight. Damage output has also been significantly improved through use of the alien fusion core.	”
– Engineering description, XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Availability

The Blaster Launcher becomes available for production in Engineering after completing Guided Fusion Launcher research.

Production Cost:

XCOM: Enemy Unknown, all difficulties: §275 65 Elerium 50 Alloys 1 Fusion Core 2 UFO Flight Computers 35 Engineers

XCOM: Enemy Within, Classic & Impossible difficulties: §400 120 Elerium 75 Alloys 1 Fusion Core 2 UFO Flight Computers 35 Engineers

Specifications

• Effective Range: Medium
• Base Damage: 9 (+3 for 12 with Mayhem, since it is Tech Level 3)
• Critical Chance: N/A
• Critical Damage: N/A

Tactical Info

“	▪  Upgrade to conventional rockets that permits projectiles to navigate the battlefield ▪  Substantial damage improvement over the conventional rocket launcher ▪  Blaster bombs have a blast radius of 3 tiles ▪  Friendly targets in the blast area are affected ▪  Blaster bombs are useful for destroying cover and forcing enemies to spread out	”
– Tactical Info, XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Notes

• The Blaster Launcher has a unique targeting capability. It fires green spherical guided bombs. Any point can be targeted within its range (which is the same as the standard Rocket Launcher), but the firer is not required to have line of sight to the target. The bomb trajectory will automatically arc over obstacles and curve behind cover, even steering through openings such as doorways. This allows the soldier to hit enemies not in their line of sight, and circumvent obstacles that could have otherwise blocked the shot.
• The Blaster Launcher projectile can sometimes get caught on an object during its firing animation and remain frozen in place for several seconds, but will then teleport to where it is supposed to land before detonating.
• Upon impact and detonation, the projectiles exhibit a substantial damage improvement over the conventional rocket launcher (150% improvement compared to the standard rockets' base damage).
• The explosion sound is extremely loud with a lingering echo, showing that it is among the most powerful infantry weapons XCOM has developed, if not outright the most powerful.
• Danger Zone adds +2 to the blast radius.
• When combined with HEAT Ammo this weapon can be devastating to even the toughest robotic enemies, dealing a theoretical amount of 18 damage with Mayhem ((9+3) x 150%).
• A vehicle caught in the blast of a rocket explodes immediately, thus inflicting further damage that will harm/kill anyone using the vehicle for cover.
• Can only be fired by a soldier who has not moved during their turn.
• Like the standard Rocket Launcher, a Heavy soldier can only use it once per mission unless the soldier wielding it has the Rocketeer ability, then they may fired twice per mission.
• The projectiles launched by the Shredder Rocket ability are likewise upgraded with this tracking navigational capability, but as with the standard Rocket Launcher, it is counted separately from the standard Fire Rocket ability (effectively allowing a Heavy with the appropriate skills to fire three projectiles per mission).

Gallery

Concept Art

Blaster Launcher warhead in motion

Explosion from a Blaster Launcher warhead