Smokepop
 |
This article relates to content added by Royalty (DLC). Please note that it will not be present without the DLC enabled. |
Smokepop
Skip dust particles up from under the ground surface to form a thick cloud. This reduces the accuracy of any shot fired through it, and prevents turrets from locking on entirely.
Base Stats
- Type
- Psycast
Ability
- Psylink Level
- 4
- Psyfocus Cost
- 2%
- Neural Heat Gain
- 30
- Casting Time
- 60 ticks (1 sec)
- Range
- 24.9 tiles
- Effect Radius
- 3.5 tiles
- Caster Must Be Capable of Violence
- False
Smokepop is a level 4 psycast that creates a cloud of blind smoke.
Acquisition[edit]
There are two ways to acquire the smokepop psycast:
- Upon reaching psylink level 4, a random psycast of level 4 is granted regardless of how this level up is achieved. This won't apply if the psycaster already knew one or more level 4 psycast.
- Smokepop can also be acquired from a psytrainer naming it. See the psytrainer page for further details.
Summary[edit]
Upon casting, Smokepop creates a cloud of blind smoke for approximately 60 seconds within a circle of 3 tile radius, centered on the target tile. Valid targets include any tile within a 25 tile radius of the caster, respecting line of sight. While it persists, blind smoke multiplies the accuracy of all projectile attacks pathing through it by ×70%, reducing their chance to hit their target by roughly one-third. Note that neither the shooter nor the target need to be within the smoke for this penalty to apply - as long as it exists between the shooter and target, the accuracy penalty will be applied. Additionally, blind smoke prevents turrets from targeting pawns within or behind it.
Analysis[edit]
Unfortunately, Smokepop is noticeably less useful than psycasts of a equal or even lower level: blind smoke has a relatively limited utility, and the psycast competes with the smokepop pack and smoke launcher, which serve a similar role. However, it can still see some use in combat, and can even prove invaluable in some encounters.
Its most important use is against turrets, such as those from mech clusters, as turrets cannot target enemies at all through smoke. However, the use of smokepop is limited by the mechanics of psycasting. In addition, smoke reduces the a
It can also be used as defensive measure against ranged pawns in general, although less useful as smoke affects allies and enemies equally. Still, smokepop is good for repositioning and rescuing downed pawns. It can also be paired with weapons that are unaffected by smoke, including melee weapons, weapons with a Forced Miss Radius like frag grenades and incinerators,
and unique weapons
with the aim assistance trait.
Comparisons[edit]
In both of these roles, smokepop occupies a near-identical role to the smokepop pack and the smoke launcher. Unlike the latter two items, the smokepop psycast does not take any equipment slots, making it best for repositioning, although it still requires psyfocus that could be used for other psycasts like Skip.
- The smoke launcher takes a pawn's weapon slot, is inaccurate, and requires a staggering 210 ticks (3.5 secs) Aiming Time and 270 ticks (4.5 secs) Ranged Cooldown. The psycast only requires 60 ticks (1 sec) to deploy, is always accurate, and covers a 3-tile radius of smoke (1 tile more than the launcher). However, the launcher can still be great against mech clusters, where turrets are a known threat and smoke can be pre-fired. In addition, smoke launchers can make smoke indefinitely while the psycast is limited by heat and psyfocus. This makes the smoke launcher a strong substitute for fighting mech clusters.
- The smokepop pack has an instant deployment time, and a larger radius, but can only deploy on the user's tile and takes the valuable utility slot.
In addition, the launcher and pack are more consistent to obtain, only requiring one to research Gunsmithing and Smokepop packs, respectively. Additionally, Pirate and Outlander raiders can carry both. In contrast, smokepop requires a level 4 psycaster, and either obtaining it randomly or with a (relatively uncommon) psytrainer. However, the main advantage of the psycast - that it does not take any slots - makes it much more flexible, especially since blind smoke is a niche mechanic.
Version history[edit]
- Royalty DLC Release - Added.
- 1.1.2571 - Range reduced from 25 to 20, cost reduced from 35 to 30.
- ??? - Range increased from 20 to 25.