Stats • Leveling • Weapons • Abilities • Upgrades • Strategy
This is written for patch 2.6.0 balance.
Overview[]
The Devastator Squad is a suppression infantry squad, carrying a heavy weapon that needs 3 seconds to set up before firing, and 2 seconds to tear down before moving again. The heavy bolter has a limited arc of fire so it can be flanked to avoid the main weapon and must be positioned accordingly.
The heavy bolter has a high base damage and long range, but inflicts only 30% damage at distant ranges. The damage jumps to 125% around pistol range and 270% at close range. This means the damage near maximum range is light, making units get "snared" by the suppression effect but allowing them to back out in good condition. If a unit charges the weapon head on, they take more and more damage and probably get obliterated.
Suppression weapons deal "courage damage" in addition to health damage. Infantry units typically have 100 courage, which regenerates over time. When courage reaches 0, the unit becomes "suppressed" and is slowed to a crawl, firing their weapons more rarely. Vehicles amy some special infantry cannot be suppressed.
Suppression is primarily a melee counter, stopping close-combat units from approaching. Early game, it will also counter mass ranged infantry, but with T2 upgrades they may start overwhelming a suppression team.