EMP launcher

The EMP launcher is a ranged weapon that 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 at a Machining table once the Microelectronics research project has been completed. They require 75 Steel, 8 Components, 30,000 ticks (8.33 mins) of work, and a Crafting skill of 4.

EMP launchers can also be purchased from orbital pirate merchants and orbital combat suppliers or outlander faction bases.

Summary

For a full exploration of the effects of EMP damage, see EMP.

EMP launchers have a decent range of 23.9, but a very long warmup/coolown cycle. For players, it is the 2nd slowest non-consumable weapon, tied with the other launchers and only faster than the pila. It also has a forced miss radius, meaning colonist health or shooting skill doesn't matter, and careful shooter is purely a detriment.

EMP damage does not deal physical damage. Instead, it stuns turrets, mechanoids, and mortars; more damage means a longer stun time. A normal quality EMP launcher deals 50 EMP damage, for a stun of 25 seconds. After being stunned, mechanoids become "Adapted" and gain immunity against further stuns for 2,200 ticks (36.67 secs). Immunity is applied on stun, and the duration is not extended by stunning an already adapted mechanoid. EMP also disables shield belts, causes brain shock on humanoids with brain implants, and vomiting on those with certain stomach implants.

Launchers are fired like any other ranged weapon, so won't fire over walls. A circular zone will generate to indicate line of fire, then another 3x3 indicator with a circular center will become the aiming spot. Unless a wall is in the way, the blast will be within 1 tile of the intended target.

Unlike EMP grenades, the launcher has quality, which affects stun time and range.

Analysis

EMP weapons in general are always useful for taking out mechanoids and other defense structures. The small blast radius is a detriment; because it's smaller than the miss radius, it cannot reliably hit a specific tile or target. The launcher also has a very large warmup/cooldown, making it less useful on mobile targets like scythers.

Comparison to EMP grenades

See also: EMP grenades

The key differences between EMP grenades and launchers are: Range, Rate of Fire, Blast Radius, and Quality.

The increased range seems like a major benefit, but is less practical than it seems. Most mechanoids (all mechanoids without the Biotech DLC) will outrange the launcher. Range may be useful depending on the terrain and cover layout, and also helps when shutting down low shield packs or mechanoid shields.

Meanwhile, EMP grenades are fired much faster, giving combat flexibility and making it easier to aim at mobile targets. The larger blast radius means that they can hit more targets, and are simply more accurate, able to always hit a specific tile.

Unlike grenades, launchers are affected by quality; Masterwork and Legendary launchers see an increase in damage (i.e. stun duration). Legendary launchers will stun for long enough that mechanoid adaptation ends before the stun, making it technically possible to 100% stun lock them. In practice, it is almost impossible to get the timing perfect even before accounting for the risk of missed shots, unless you have multiple colonists with legendary launchers.

Overall, excellent or lower EMP launchers see a lot less practical use than EMP grenades, relegated to tasks where range is very helpful (against certain Biotech mechanoids, when there's cover, or fighting against low-shield packs). Even legendary launchers are niche, due to the decreased blast radius.

Source	Damage	Stun Duration	Post-Stun Adaption Duration	Ideal Stun Uptime
Awful EMP launcher	45	1,350 ticks (22.5 secs)	850 ticks (14.17 secs)	61.36%
EMP Grenades, Poor/Norm/Good/Exc EMP launcher	50	1,500 ticks (25 secs)	700 ticks (11.67 secs)	68.18%
Masterwork EMP launcher	62.5	1,875 ticks (31.25 secs)	325 ticks (5.42 secs)	85.23%
Legendary EMP launcher	75	2,250 ticks (37.5 secs)	0 ticks (0 secs) (-50 ticks (-0.83 secs))	100%

Attack table

Ranged

EMP launcher			DPS (Optimal)	Market value
Quality	Dam.	AP	DPS (Optimal)	Market value
Awful	45	0%	6.43	250
Poor	50	0%	7.14	380
Normal	50	0%	7.14	505
Good	50	0%	7.14	630
Excellent	50	0%	7.14	755
Masterwork	62.5	0%	8.93	1260
Legendary	75	0%	10.71	2525

^{For the full effects of qualities, see Quality.}

Melee

Feature	Toggle
Attacks

EMP launcher			Stock (Blunt)					Barrel (Blunt)					Barrel (Poke)					Human: Left & right fist (Blunt)					HP	Value
Quality	DPS^[1]	AP^[1]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	HP	Value
Awful	3.98	11.6%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	8.33%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	8.33%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	8.33%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 37.5%	100	250
Poor	4.07	11.82%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	20%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	20%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	20%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 20%	100	380
Normal	4.4	12.75%	9	2s	13%	4.5	25%	9	2s	13%	4.5	25%	9	2s	13%	4.5	25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 12.5%	100	505
Good	4.74	13.73%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	25%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	25%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 12.5%	100	630
Excellent	5.08	14.7%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	25%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	25%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 12.5%	100	755
Masterwork	5.92	17.14%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	25%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	25%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 12.5%	100	1260
Legendary	6.59	19.09%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	25%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	25%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 12.5%	100	2525

^{For the full effects of qualities, see Quality.}

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Note: This is the actual base average derived from the melee verb system updated in 1.1.2610, it may sometimes disagree with the listed value in the in-game infobox.
It may also change depending on the stats and the melee verbs available to the wielder if the weapon is wielded by some other than a baseline human.
↑ Chance for attack to be selected, assuming the weapon is wielded by a baseline human. It may change depending on the melee verbs available to the wielder