Orbital bombardment targeter

The Orbital bombardment targeter is a powerful single-use utility artifact that calls a series of kinetic strikes against a targeted area.

Acquisition

Orbital bombardment targeters cannot be crafted. Instead they can only be acquired through trade, as a reward for performing quests, or found in ancient shrines. Note that quest rewards are selected with a weighted random generator, so there is no way to guarantee access to a targeter in a given play-through. Anecdotally, it is often reported that the increased number of reward options added by the DLC dilute the reward pool with more options

Summary

When equipped, an orbital bombardment targeter is worn in the waist utility slot. Pawns that are incapable of violence can equip, but not use, the targeter. Once the wearer is drafted, it can be manually activated by the player to target a tile within 45 tiles and within line of sight.

After a 3s warm-up, a targeting laser will shoot down from above and a series of approximately 30 explosions, one every 18 ticks (0.3 secs), will rock the ground near it for a 540 ticks (9 secs), dealing massive damage. The warmup time before firing is affected by the Aiming Time stat of the wearer. The targeting radius is approximately 20 tiles, while each individual explosion's radius is 7 tiles and deals 50 bomb-type damage. These strikes can hit targets under roofs, including overhead mountain.

The targeter cannot be recharged or refueled - once its single charge is expended, the item is completely destroyed.

Like all utility items, an orbital bombardment targeter is treated largely like any piece of apparel, however some exceptions exist. Utility items are worn on the waist and are mutually exclusive only with each other, regardless of the layer or coverage of other apparel worn. Additionally, utility items never become tainted, deteriorate from being worn, or inflict a worn-out or tattered mood debuff when damaged.

Analysis

Can hit objects though overhead mountains, making it decent at dealing with late-stage infestations.

It is great at dealing with tough mech clusters that need to be wiped out immediately, since the Bomb damage type deals ×2 to passible buildings and ×4 to impassible buildings. Any type of static target such as a siege camp or hostile base can be easily dealt with by the bombardment, though don't count on getting much loot or many prisoners. Incapacitated humans and items on the ground, aside from indestructible raw materials like steel, will be hit and damaged by the explosions as much as your enemies.

Version history

0.18.1722 - Added.
1.2 - Changed from a ranged weapon to a utility slot item.
1.2.2719 - New visual effects for all orbital bombardments. You can now see and hear incoming projectiles and other details are improved.
1.2.2753 - new artwork for orbital targeters.
1.3.3067 - escaping prisoners are now capable of picking up and using these.