Antigrain warhead

"industrial" is not in the list (Neolithic, Medieval, Industrial, Archotech, Spacer, Ultra) of allowed values for the "Tech Level" property.

The antigrain warhead is a mortar shell that can be fired by using a mortar or used as material to make an IED antigrain warhead trap. It both does massive damage and has a large blast radius, making it exceptionally effective, although rare.

Acquisition

Antigrain warheads cannot be crafted, but it can be obtained as a reward from quests, or rarely found inside an ancient shrine.

Summary

The antigrain detonates in a 15-tile radius, dealing 550 "BombSuper" damage and causing fires. Said explosion can also occur if the warhead is damaged down to 20 hp or is left to deteriorate to nothing.

Analysis

Antigrain warheads deal more than enough damage to one-shot most enemies in the game. This makes them utterly unmatched in siege defense, as they are capable of wiping out entire groups of raiders in a single blast. Additionally, their blast radius is sufficient to always hit the targeted tile in the blast, giving them reliability in hitting point targets far exceeding that of normally inaccurate mortars.

Tougher, armored enemies such as the centipede are a bit more than likely to survive a blast, but will be severely weakened such that finishing them off becomes much easier. Also take note that a direct hit, rare as it is, will likely kill it outright.

Installed as a trap, it can be extremely useful against crashed ship parts as doing so helps overcome the inaccuracy of mortars.

Storage

As with all mortar shells, it is heavily advised that you keep it in a safe place where it cannot deteriorate, come under fire, or be targetted by a tantrum. In addition to the loss of the antigrain warhead itself, its detonation is likely to cause massive damage to your base, anything inside it, and its occupants. If a tantruming pawn does decide to punch an antigrain warhead, try arresting them. If your pawns are too far, shooting them may be the better option than the alternative - the injuries, mood and social penalties, and even risk of death are still better than the almost-guaranteed death of the tantruming pawn, let alone the collateral damage. For maximum safety, consider sealing it behind a quickly-deconstructable wall, ideally under thick mountain roof on the small chance that a mortar hits that single tile.

Version history

? - Description changed from "A tiny ultra-tech warhead usually used by spacecraft or glitterworld war machines. Powered by a grain of antimatter, it creates a huge explosion and starts fires around the target. Can be fired from mortars or installed as a trap. Explodes when damaged." -> "An ultra-tech warhead powered by a grain of antimatter. Usually used by spacecraft or glitterworld war machines, it creates a huge explosion and starts fires around the target. Can be fired from mortars or installed as a trap. Explodes when damaged."

World quest items