(Created page with "Beams are, as the name suggests, highly focused beams of energy, designed to deal massive damage to the hull and systems of a ship, or kill the crew. Beams do not require anyt...") Tag: sourceedit |
m (→Anti-Bio Beam: Where it can (also) be obtained.) |
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+ | Beam weapons cut across multiple rooms, allowing them to damage several systems and deal large amounts hull damage. Some beams deal no damage to systems or hull, but instead start fires or hurt crew. |
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− | Beams are, as the name suggests, highly focused beams of energy, designed to deal massive damage to the hull and systems of a ship, or kill the crew. Beams do not require anything to fire except system energy. When targeting, a line will appear showing the direction of the beam's path, which can be angled to allow the player to chose which rooms to hit, and rooms that fall in the beam path will be highlighted by a yellow outline. Beams can penetrate shields without depleting them, but their base damage is reduced by 1 for each level of shielding they pass through. If a beam's base hull damage is reduced to zero by shields or is naturally zero (fire and anti-bio beams), It cannot pierce them. Beams hit instantly and track along their targeting path over the course of approximately one second. They are the only weapons that cannot miss, making cloaking or high evasion ineffective, and cannot be intercepted, since they do not use projectiles of any sort. Beams can hit multiple rooms in a single shot, dealing hull and system damage for every room hit. All beams hit [[Zoltan Shield|Zoltan Shields]] twice with their base damage, irrespective of targeting path. Beams with no base damage count as having a base damage of one against super shields. In addition, beams deal damage/start fires in the squares of the rooms they pass through. It is possible to create three [[fires]] in a 2x2 room by having a Fire Beam cut through three of four squares. Beams only damage crew whose squares they directly move over, allowing rooms to be hit but sparing the crew. |
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+ | Beams do not deplete shield layers, and most are completely blocked by shields, making them ineffective without support. |
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− | See the [[Weapons#Beams 2|available Beams]]. |
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+ | Beams are the only weapons that never miss. They hit the first room instantly, then rapidly track along their path. As they are not projectiles, beams cannot collide with anything; for example, they cannot be intercepted by a stray laser or asteroid. |
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⚫ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==Beam targeting and damage mechanics== |
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+ | |||
+ | Unlike other weapons, beams allow players to target any part of a room. The first click sets the starting point and displays a line indicating the beam length, which can be rotated to set the end point. The second click fires the beam. |
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+ | |||
+ | Even catching a room with the tiniest edge of a beam will deal full hull and system damage. The damage is applied at the first moment that a beam enters a room. Enemies target beams inefficiently, starting the beam in the centre of a room. |
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+ | |||
+ | The damage of a beam is reduced by one for every shield layer, giving the most powerful beams some ability to pierce shields. For example, a 2-damage Halberd Beam can deal 1 damage (per room) through 1 shield layer. |
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+ | |||
+ | Crew damage works differently: it's applied when a beam first enters the ''tile'' that a crew member occupies. Similarly, the Fire Beam starts fires on a per-tile basis, so hitting more tiles can start more fires. |
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+ | |||
+ | Zoltan Shields take double damage from beams (in two "ticks"). Despite doing no hull damage, the Fire Beam and Anti-Bio Beam do 2 damage to Zoltan Shields. |
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+ | |||
⚫ | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible" style="display:inline"> |
<div class="mw-collapsible" style="display:inline"> |
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''"Extremely cheap and weak beam weapon."'' |
''"Extremely cheap and weak beam weapon."'' |
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*Costs 20 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] (cannot be bought or found) |
*Costs 20 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] (cannot be bought or found) |
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− | * |
+ | *Deals 1 damage per room hit, with low chance of fire. |
− | *Requires 1 power and takes 12 seconds to |
+ | *Requires 1 power and takes 12 seconds to charge up. |
*Beam length: 45 (1 tile diagonally). |
*Beam length: 45 (1 tile diagonally). |
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− | *Comes equipped on [[The Nesasio|{{tooltip|The Nesasio|Stealth Cruiser, Layout A}}]] |
+ | *Comes equipped on [[The Nesasio|{{tooltip|The Nesasio|Stealth Cruiser, Layout A}}]] and [[Simo-H|{{tooltip|Simo-H|Stealth Cruiser, Layout C}}]]. |
====Pike Beam==== |
====Pike Beam==== |
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''"Can cut across entire ships, assuming there's no shield to stop it."'' |
''"Can cut across entire ships, assuming there's no shield to stop it."'' |
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*Costs 55 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] |
*Costs 55 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] |
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− | * |
+ | *Deals 1 damage per room hit. |
⚫ | |||
− | *Requires 2 power and takes 16 seconds to |
+ | *Requires 2 power and takes 16 seconds to charge up. |
*Beam length: 170 (3.8 tiles diagonally). |
*Beam length: 170 (3.8 tiles diagonally). |
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*Comes equipped on [[Noether|{{tooltip|Noether|Zoltan Cruiser, Layout B}}]]. |
*Comes equipped on [[Noether|{{tooltip|Noether|Zoltan Cruiser, Layout B}}]]. |
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====Halberd Beam==== |
====Halberd Beam==== |
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− | [[File:Halberd_Beam.png|frame|Halberd Beam]] |
+ | [[File:Halberd_Beam.png|frame|Halberd Beam|41x41px]] |
''"Slow but reliably powerful standard beam weapon."'' |
''"Slow but reliably powerful standard beam weapon."'' |
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*Costs 65 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] |
*Costs 65 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] |
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− | * |
+ | *Deals 2 damage per room hit. |
− | *Requires 3 power and takes 17 seconds to |
+ | *Requires 3 power and takes 17 seconds to charge up. |
− | *Special: Can go through shields, lowering its damage by 1 for each shield layer. |
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*Beam length: 80 (1.8 tiles diagonally). |
*Beam length: 80 (1.8 tiles diagonally). |
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*Comes equipped on [[The Adjudicator|{{tooltip|The Adjudicator|Zoltan Cruiser, Layout A}}]]. |
*Comes equipped on [[The Adjudicator|{{tooltip|The Adjudicator|Zoltan Cruiser, Layout A}}]]. |
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+ | *Can target 3-4 rooms straight, 2-3 diagonally, 5 max. |
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+ | *Will ignore level 1 shields for 1 less damage. |
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====Fire Beam==== |
====Fire Beam==== |
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*Costs 50 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] |
*Costs 50 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] |
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*Deals no damage, but has high chance of fire. |
*Deals no damage, but has high chance of fire. |
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+ | *Deals 1 point of damage twice against [[Zoltan shield|Zoltan shields]]. |
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− | *Requires 2 power and takes 20 seconds to |
+ | *Requires 2 power and takes 20 seconds to charge up. |
*Beam Length: 140 (3.1 tiles diagonally). |
*Beam Length: 140 (3.1 tiles diagonally). |
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''"This beam is most powerful when targeting large, empty sections of hull."'' |
''"This beam is most powerful when targeting large, empty sections of hull."'' |
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*Costs 70 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] |
*Costs 70 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] |
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⚫ | |||
− | *Damages each room for 1 damage (2 for empty). |
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− | *Requires 2 power and takes 14 seconds to |
+ | *Requires 2 power and takes 14 seconds to charge up. |
⚫ | |||
*Beam length: 100 (2.2 tiles diagonally). |
*Beam length: 100 (2.2 tiles diagonally). |
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''"One of the most powerful weapons of war ever created. Known to take out some ships in a single blast."'' |
''"One of the most powerful weapons of war ever created. Known to take out some ships in a single blast."'' |
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*Costs 95 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] |
*Costs 95 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] |
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− | * |
+ | *Deals 3 damage per room hit. |
− | *Requires 4 power and takes 25 seconds to |
+ | *Requires 4 power and takes 25 seconds to charge up. |
− | *Special: Can go through shields, lowering its damage by 1 for each shield layer. |
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*Beam length: 80 (1.8 tiles diagonally). |
*Beam length: 80 (1.8 tiles diagonally). |
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*Comes equipped on [[DA-SR 12|{{tooltip|DA-SR 12|Stealth Cruiser, Layout B}}]]. |
*Comes equipped on [[DA-SR 12|{{tooltip|DA-SR 12|Stealth Cruiser, Layout B}}]]. |
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''"This terrifying beam does no physical damage, but rips through organic material, dealing heavy damage to crew members."'' |
''"This terrifying beam does no physical damage, but rips through organic material, dealing heavy damage to crew members."'' |
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*Costs 50 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] |
*Costs 50 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] |
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+ | *Deals 60 damage to crew members (including your own), but does not damage systems or hull. |
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− | *Does 60 damage to crewmembers of '''either''' ship. |
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− | * |
+ | *Deals half (30) damage to drones (including your boarding drones). |
+ | *Deals 1 point of damage twice against [[Zoltan shield|Zoltan shields]]. |
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− | * Cannot penetrate any shields, a level 1 shield will block it completely. |
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⚫ | |||
*Cannot target your own ship. |
*Cannot target your own ship. |
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⚫ | |||
− | *Does Not Damage Rooms |
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⚫ | |||
*Beam length: 140 (3.1 tiles diagonally). |
*Beam length: 140 (3.1 tiles diagonally). |
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*Comes equipped on [[Man of War|{{tooltip|Man of War|Slug Cruiser, Layout A}}]]. |
*Comes equipped on [[Man of War|{{tooltip|Man of War|Slug Cruiser, Layout A}}]]. |
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*Can be obtained during the [[Slug Home Nebula Surrender]] random event. |
*Can be obtained during the [[Slug Home Nebula Surrender]] random event. |
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+ | *Can also be obtained from the [[Free Weapon]] random event. |
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+ | *Enemies never use this weapon. |
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====Boss Beam==== |
====Boss Beam==== |
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''"2 damage beam with a long trail."'' |
''"2 damage beam with a long trail."'' |
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*Costs 70 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] (cannot be bought or found) |
*Costs 70 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] (cannot be bought or found) |
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− | * |
+ | *Deals 2 damage per room hit. |
− | *Requires 1 power and takes 26 seconds to |
+ | *Requires 1 power and takes 26 seconds to charge up. |
*Beam length: 100 (2.2 tiles diagonally). |
*Beam length: 100 (2.2 tiles diagonally). |
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− | *This is one of the weapons the Rebel Flagship uses. Can only be acquired via cheating. |
+ | *This is one of the weapons the [[Rebel Flagship]] uses. Can only be acquired via cheating. |
====Artillery Beam==== |
====Artillery Beam==== |
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− | [[File:Vindicator_Beam.png|frame|Artillery Beam]] |
+ | [[File:Vindicator_Beam.png|frame|Original appearance for the Artillery Beam.]] |
''"Powers a slow, high-powered beam that pierces all shields and does one damage per room hit. More power means faster cooldown."'' |
''"Powers a slow, high-powered beam that pierces all shields and does one damage per room hit. More power means faster cooldown."'' |
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*Costs 0 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] (cannot be bought or found) |
*Costs 0 [[File:Ftlgame-scrap.png]] (cannot be bought or found) |
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− | * |
+ | *Deals 1 damage per room hit and ignores all standard shields. |
− | *Requires 1 power and takes 40 seconds to |
+ | *Requires 1 power and takes 40 seconds to charge up. |
*Beam length: 500 (12.5 tiles diagonally) |
*Beam length: 500 (12.5 tiles diagonally) |
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− | *This is a version of the Federation |
+ | *This is a version of [[the Federation Cruiser]] artillery beam. This version can only be acquired via cheating. It operates just like a normal weapon. |
− | *Sell price is 0, you can dump the item at shops but receive no scrap. |
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</div> |
</div> |
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+ | |||
+ | ==Trivia== |
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+ | |||
+ | Many of the prefixes for beam weapons are related to medieval polearms, which were used for forcible mechanical removal of crew from warhorses (terrestrial animals used as primitive assault craft). This parallels very well with the beam weapon usage in contemporary spacecraft. |
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+ | |||
+ | * Pike Beam - a reference to a Pike, a very long medieval polearm that originates in Europe. Follows proven knife-on-a-stick design. The pike stands out by the greater size of a stick compared to earlier designs. |
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+ | * Halberd Beam - a reference to a halberd, a heavy late medieval polearm that originates in Europe. Revolutionary design featured several different knives on the single stick. |
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+ | * Glaive Beam - a reference to a glaive, a heavy Renaissance polearm meant to drag riders from their mounts and subsequently disassemble them. Several knives are replaced by one bigger single knife on a stick. Originated in Europe. |
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+ | [[Category:Weapons]] |
Revision as of 13:40, 7 August 2019
Beam weapons cut across multiple rooms, allowing them to damage several systems and deal large amounts hull damage. Some beams deal no damage to systems or hull, but instead start fires or hurt crew.
Beams do not deplete shield layers, and most are completely blocked by shields, making them ineffective without support.
Beams are the only weapons that never miss. They hit the first room instantly, then rapidly track along their path. As they are not projectiles, beams cannot collide with anything; for example, they cannot be intercepted by a stray laser or asteroid.
Beam targeting and damage mechanics
Unlike other weapons, beams allow players to target any part of a room. The first click sets the starting point and displays a line indicating the beam length, which can be rotated to set the end point. The second click fires the beam.
Even catching a room with the tiniest edge of a beam will deal full hull and system damage. The damage is applied at the first moment that a beam enters a room. Enemies target beams inefficiently, starting the beam in the centre of a room.
The damage of a beam is reduced by one for every shield layer, giving the most powerful beams some ability to pierce shields. For example, a 2-damage Halberd Beam can deal 1 damage (per room) through 1 shield layer.
Crew damage works differently: it's applied when a beam first enters the tile that a crew member occupies. Similarly, the Fire Beam starts fires on a per-tile basis, so hitting more tiles can start more fires.
Zoltan Shields take double damage from beams (in two "ticks"). Despite doing no hull damage, the Fire Beam and Anti-Bio Beam do 2 damage to Zoltan Shields.
List of Beams
Mini Beam
"Extremely cheap and weak beam weapon."
- Costs 20 (cannot be bought or found)
- Deals 1 damage per room hit, with low chance of fire.
- Requires 1 power and takes 12 seconds to charge up.
- Beam length: 45 (1 tile diagonally).
- Comes equipped on The Nesasio and Simo-H.
Pike Beam
"Can cut across entire ships, assuming there's no shield to stop it."
- Costs 55
- Deals 1 damage per room hit.
- Deals 15 damage to crew members.
- Requires 2 power and takes 16 seconds to charge up.
- Beam length: 170 (3.8 tiles diagonally).
- Comes equipped on Noether.
Halberd Beam
"Slow but reliably powerful standard beam weapon."
- Costs 65
- Deals 2 damage per room hit.
- Requires 3 power and takes 17 seconds to charge up.
- Beam length: 80 (1.8 tiles diagonally).
- Comes equipped on The Adjudicator.
- Can target 3-4 rooms straight, 2-3 diagonally, 5 max.
- Will ignore level 1 shields for 1 less damage.
Fire Beam
"This terrifying beam does no physical damage but ignites fires."
- Costs 50
- Deals no damage, but has high chance of fire.
- Deals 1 point of damage twice against Zoltan shields.
- Requires 2 power and takes 20 seconds to charge up.
- Beam Length: 140 (3.1 tiles diagonally).
Hull Beam
"This beam is most powerful when targeting large, empty sections of hull."
- Costs 70
- Deals 1 damage per room hit (2 damage on systemless rooms).
- Requires 2 power and takes 14 seconds to charge up.
- Beam length: 100 (2.2 tiles diagonally).
Glaive Beam
"One of the most powerful weapons of war ever created. Known to take out some ships in a single blast."
- Costs 95
- Deals 3 damage per room hit.
- Requires 4 power and takes 25 seconds to charge up.
- Beam length: 80 (1.8 tiles diagonally).
- Comes equipped on DA-SR 12.
Anti-Bio Beam
"This terrifying beam does no physical damage, but rips through organic material, dealing heavy damage to crew members."
- Costs 50
- Deals 60 damage to crew members (including your own), but does not damage systems or hull.
- Deals half (30) damage to drones (including your boarding drones).
- Deals 1 point of damage twice against Zoltan shields.
- Cannot target your own ship.
- Requires 2 power and takes 16 seconds to charge up.
- Beam length: 140 (3.1 tiles diagonally).
- Comes equipped on Man of War.
- Can be obtained during the Slug Home Nebula Surrender random event.
- Can also be obtained from the Free Weapon random event.
- Enemies never use this weapon.
Boss Beam
"2 damage beam with a long trail."
- Costs 70 (cannot be bought or found)
- Deals 2 damage per room hit.
- Requires 1 power and takes 26 seconds to charge up.
- Beam length: 100 (2.2 tiles diagonally).
- This is one of the weapons the Rebel Flagship uses. Can only be acquired via cheating.
Artillery Beam
"Powers a slow, high-powered beam that pierces all shields and does one damage per room hit. More power means faster cooldown."
- Costs 0 (cannot be bought or found)
- Deals 1 damage per room hit and ignores all standard shields.
- Requires 1 power and takes 40 seconds to charge up.
- Beam length: 500 (12.5 tiles diagonally)
- This is a version of the Federation Cruiser artillery beam. This version can only be acquired via cheating. It operates just like a normal weapon.
Trivia
Many of the prefixes for beam weapons are related to medieval polearms, which were used for forcible mechanical removal of crew from warhorses (terrestrial animals used as primitive assault craft). This parallels very well with the beam weapon usage in contemporary spacecraft.
- Pike Beam - a reference to a Pike, a very long medieval polearm that originates in Europe. Follows proven knife-on-a-stick design. The pike stands out by the greater size of a stick compared to earlier designs.
- Halberd Beam - a reference to a halberd, a heavy late medieval polearm that originates in Europe. Revolutionary design featured several different knives on the single stick.
- Glaive Beam - a reference to a glaive, a heavy Renaissance polearm meant to drag riders from their mounts and subsequently disassemble them. Several knives are replaced by one bigger single knife on a stick. Originated in Europe.