EMP launcher

The EMP launcher fires EMP bolts that explode on impact, creating a small EMP pulse that downs shields, and stuns mechanoids, mortars and turrets.

Acquisition

EMP launchers can be crafted with skill level 4 at a machining table once the Microelectronics research has been completed; with 75 steel, 8 components and 30,000 ticks (8.33 mins) of work. EMP launchers can also be purchased from orbital pirate merchants and orbital combat suppliers or outlander settlements.

Analysis

While EMP is always useful in taking care of mechanoids, the launcher is generally less useful than its grenade counterpart. The problem is the smaller blast radius than the grenade. This has the obvious effect of hitting fewer targets, but also because the blast radius is now smaller than the miss radius, it cannot reliably hit a specific tile or target. This makes it much less reliable and effective. Additionally, the launcher has a longer cool-down and warm-up time but only stuns targets for the same length of time.

The EMP launchers primary advantage over EMP grenades, namely range, does little to improve its prospects. It is outranged by all ranged mechanoids and against shielded and brain shockable enemies the decreased blast radius and rate of fire reduces the chance to hit far more than the increased range and projectile velocity increase it. The only possible use for the EMP launcher is to shut off low shield at a safe distance, like stunning a mech cluster's shield to let your triple rocket pass through.Or shutting off sapper's low shield without needing to go near them