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Difficulty: Hard Supervisors: Queen Rank: Not defined Duties: Dislodge fortified positions Guides: The Guardian Caste Guide Unlock Requirements: Not available. Detailed Description: Not defined |__________| |
Playing a Boiler
A Boiler has the Aliens' most powerful ranged attacks. Your primary duty is to use your ranged bombardment ability to bombard fortified Marine positions. It functions like mortar or artillery fire. You can either use non-lethal neurotoxin to stun marines for a short period or a more lethal corrosive acid blob that deals massive damage to any Marine that stays in the gas for too long. (WiP: Does the bombardment acid affect walls, sentry guns, and other objects? How long is the stun from neurotoxin?) Like smoke, the gas clouds will also block line of sight and prevent Marines from seeing any Xeno approach.
As a Boiler, you have the ability to dislodge even some of the most fortified Marine positions. The Boiler can bombard a group of Marines and then let your other sisters push up to take advantage of the Marines' loss of cohesion.
As a fall back, you have the ability to spray acid. This deals a lot of pain to any Marine hit directly by the spray. Your acid is very powerful and can quickly destroy walls and obstacles. In addition, there's the incredibly useful ability to enhance your vision like binoculars to see an extra five tiles.
These advantages are offset by constantly projecting a small glowing light around you at all times. This makes you (and any sister around you) a significant target. A Boiler is weak and will die very quickly under any form of attack.
Bombardment Technique
Coordinate your Toggle Darkvision command and the Toggle Long Range Sight command to stay far enough away from the Marines that you can see them, but they can't see you or shoot you. Set up on weeds if possible. If necessary, switch whether you're using neurotoxin or acid using the Toggle Bombard Type command. Then use the Bombard command and click on a spot to attack. The spit will fly over/through some obstacles and Xenos, but not walls or bigger obstacles. Most of these commands require a Boiler to be stationary, so pick a protected spot to attack from and try to stay put. This ability will take a short time to recharge.
Boiler Tactics
- Don't try to guard infected tallhosts. You're not suited for this job.
- Stick close to your fellow Aliens, but not too far forward or behind. You're utterly ineffective in a frontal attack and you stand out badly because of your glowing aura.
- Communicate and coordinate when bombarding.
- Your bombard blobs can pass through friendly Aliens when fired. It's fine to stand directly behind friends.
- Using lethal bombardments is generally more effective than non-lethal. (WiP When might be a good time to use non-lethal bombardment?)
- When aiming your bombardment, aim for sentry turrets or solid structures. Try to ensure your attack will hit the maximum amount of Marines.
- A Crusher standing in front of a Boiler makes an excellent shield. Once the bombardment happens, the Crusher can push forward to attack and then return to shield the Boiler.