ΒΆ WeaponCore
WeaponCore is a revamped combat system introduced to Upside Down on {Q:date}. It redefines how combat works in Space Engineers by offering enhanced features and mechanics. While grasping WeaponCore might seem complex initially, this guide aims to simplify it for you. In just five minutes of reading, you'll become a master of WeaponCore's mechanics and functionalities.
First, let's talk about controls, which are quite simple. After placing an initial weapon from our weaponpack and entering the cockpit. Use the mouse wheel to switch between targets. Right-click once to select a target, and then right-click again to paint the target. Do note that the range of detection depends on the effective shooting distance of the weapon itself. This can be found in the block menu of the placed weapon and be explained in more detail below.
Okay, let's talk about taking care of your weapons. It's like arranging your toys in different groups so you can find them and manage them easily. Imagine you have a super cool battleship with really strong CIWS coverage, super long-range weapons (the 300mm and 900mm), and a mix of other secondary weapons like Gatling, Quad, and PDC.
To make things simple, let's begin by arranging your weapons just like the picture shows. This will make things much easier for you as we move forward. Additionally, if you happen to have Nuke Launchers or Heavy Missile Launchers, remember to group them separately for better organization. To avoid any confusion while connected to a base, a helpful strategy is to add the first letter of your ship's name as a prefix to your group names.
Now, let's determine our preferred usage for these weapons. I personally opt to set CIWS and Secondary weapons to auto-target. This way, I don't need to actively manage them; they'll engage any valid targets automatically. For all other settings, keep them at their default values unless dealing with the CIWS & Gatling: make sure to activate Target Biological or be prepared to face suit ninjas.
The 300mm and 900mm cannons, designated my primary armament, can be effectively employed through painter mode. On Upside Down, the painter extends your firing range. Consider the following:
The 300mm has an automatic range of 800m, but utilizing the painter mode extends it to 4,000m. Similarly, the 900mm cannon boasts an automatic range of 1,800m, which can be expanded to 7,000m through the painter mode.
Paint mode is the preferred choice in 99% of situations. The only practical use for the automatic mode is targeting player-made torpedoes, when the enemy grid isn't loaded or when manual painting is too time-consuming. As you progress, you'll gain proficiency, so let's explore how to engage torpedos or targets that aren't yet loaded.
Before proceeding, access the control panel. Within the primary group settings, enable the Advanced Feature option, activate the Override mode, and assign it to Camera Channel 1. Also, ensure that all your cameras are selected and set to Camera Channel 1. These steps are essential for Weapon Core to function properly.
AUTO SHOOT
Begin by adding the primary group to your hotbar. This will provide you with quick access to control its functions. If desired, you can also set up a toggle for your secondary group to turn it on/off effectively.
MANUAL PAINTER
Now, let's explore the OG painter mode. This approach is favored by seasoned pirates such as Ahri and rpR. It allows you to command all guns and determine the ideal moment for a powerful alpha strike. Due to line of sight, your guns might target your own ship instead of the intended target, resulting in no damage (you can not damage your own ship this way) but does mean reduced effectiveness. For that, switch to this control bar and simply left-click to fire.
AUTO PAINTER
In this mode, the WeaponCore logic determines whether a gun can fire. It employs a rigorous line-of-sight check, meaning you can't shoot through half-blocks or passages. Although it may have a few glitches, it remains highly efficient. If your ship isn't firing all its guns, use the camera quickly to rectify the issue. This method is preferred by the renowned pirates Artha and Ghost.
FIXED WEAPON / NUKE / SWARM / CLUSTER
Currently, fixed weapons and missiles aren't particularly potent. If you still wish to utilize them, simply set their shoot mode to key toggle or key fire and include them on your toolbar.
MASTERY
Congratulations on becoming an expert in Weapon Core for UD! Here are some additional tips to further enhance your mastery. Feel free to reach out on our discord for discussions or contribute your own insights:
- Avoid Aimbot Scripts: Avoid scripts that move your ship to align fixed guns; they're not permitted.
- Long-Range Targeting: Some weapons are better at targeting distant foes. Nukes, Clusters, and 900mm weapons have excellent detection.
- Target Leading: Utilize target lead weapon option for predicting enemy movement and aiding fixed weapons.
- Manual Mode: Generally, manual mode isn't as effective.
- Subgrid & CTC: Weapon Core works for them.
- Targeting subsystem: proves highly advantageous during close-range PVP encounters for those who can quickly adapt to its use.
- Weapon Performance: Different weapons excel in various scenarios:
- CIWS is exceptional against suits and missiles.
- Gatling is decent against suits and missiles.
- PDC isn't great against grids, but its red laser looks cool.
- Quadcannon is a solid option against grids.
- 300mm & 900mm shine against grids.
- Plasma is reportedly decent against grids.(close range)
- David is underwhelming.
- Bertha is a bit better than David.
- Nuke can be devastating if it connects, but CIWS can counter it.
- Other missiles are generally less effective.
- One small grid weapon is surprisingly potent.
Remember, these tips are here to assist you in mastering Weapon Core on Upside Down. Feel free to share your expertise and engage in discussions with fellow enthusiasts.
COMMANDS
/wc remap (action, mouse, keyboard, info, prev, next)
/wc changehud (moves the top hud. Use action key, numpad 0 by default, plus arrow keys to move. To resize use action key & numpad+/-)
/wc drawlimit (value)
/wc setdefaults to restore everything to defaults
/wc stickypainter to preserve your painted target even if LOS is lost
"Del" cycles the top hud between compact or full information
"Numpad ." is the default to cycle WC Hud Info "Numpad 0" is the default Action Key
"Page Up" and "Page Down" are the default keys for next/previous target.
To Customize the HUD (Heads-Up-Display) Position To move the top hud type "/wc changehud" in chat, then use action key (numpad 0 by default) plus arrow keys to move. To resize use action key & numpad+/-
WEAPON RANGES
| Type | Weapon Subtype Name | Grid Size | Display Name | MAX AI Range (m) | MAX Painter Range (m) | Max Trajectory (m) | Muzzle Velocity (m/s) |
| Fixed | LargeMissileLauncher | Large | Rocket Launcher | 8000 | 1300 | ||
| SmallMissileLauncher | Small | Rocket Launcher | 8000 | 1300 | |||
| SmallMissileLauncherReload | Small | Reloadable Rocket Launcher | 8000 | 200 | |||
| GatlingGun | Small | Gatling Gun | 2000 | 800 | |||
| Autocannon | Small | Autocannon | 2000 | 700 | |||
| SmallMediumCalibreGun | Small | Assault Cannon | 1400 | 500 | |||
| LargeCalibreGun | Large | Artillery | 3500 | 1200 | |||
| LargeRailgun | Large | Railgun | 5000 | 2700 | |||
| SmallRailgun | Small | Railgun | 8000 | 3500 | |||
| Heavy Missile Launcher | Large | 4000 | 5000 | 2000 | |||
| Nuke Launcher | Large | 4000 | 8000 | 900 | |||
| Mounted Cluster Missile | Large | 8000 | 8000 | 2000 | |||
| SML-15 Stormfire Swarm Launcher | Large | 4000 | 8000 | 1700 | |||
| AC150 Assault Cannon 'Little David' | Large | 800 | 6000 | 2000 | |||
| Big Bertha | Large | 800 | 7000 | 2500 | |||
| EC500 Plasma Battery | Large | 800 | 5000 | 1200 | |||
| Assault Cannon 'Little Timmy' | Small | 800 | 3500 | 1200 | |||
| SML-8 Stormfire Swarm Launcher | Small | 8000 | 1400 | ||||
| Turret | LargeInteriorTurret | Large | Interior Turret | 800 | 400 | 600 | |
| LargeMissileTurret | Large | Missile Turret | 6000 | 8000 | 800 | 1300 | |
| SmallMissileTurret | Small | Missile Turret | 6000 | 8000 | 800 | 1300 | |
| LargeGatlingTurret | Large | Gatling Turret | 1200 | 2000 | 2000 | 800 | |
| SmallGatlingTurret | Small | Gatling Turret | 1200 | 2000 | 2000 | 800 | |
| AutocannonTurret | Small | Autocannon Turret | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 700 | |
| MediumCalibreTurret | Large | Assault Cannon Turret | 1200 | 4000 | 4000 | 1200 | |
| SmallMediumCalibreTurret | Small | Assault Cannon Turret | 1200 | 1400 | 1400 | 500 | |
| LargeCalibreTurret | Large | Artillery Turret | 3500 | 3500 | 3500 | 500 | |
| Archer 300mm | Large | 800 | 4000 | 4000 | 1200 | ||
| Ballista 300mm | Large | 800 | 4000 | 4000 | 1200 | ||
| Longbow 300mm | Large | 800 | 4000 | 4000 | 1200 | ||
| Encased 'Crossbow' 300mm | Large | 800 | 4000 | 4000 | 1200 | ||
| Encased 'Elephant' 900mm | Large | 1600 | 7000 | 7000 | 1400 | ||
| Rhino 900mm | Large | 1600 | 7000 | 7000 | 1400 | ||
| Mammoth 900mm | Large | 1600 | 7000 | 7000 | 1400 | ||
| Mastodon 900mm | Large | 1600 | 7000 | 7000 | 1400 | ||
| CIWS | Large | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 | 2300 | ||
| Heavy Gatling Turret | Large | 1800 | 2500 | 2500 | 1000 | ||
| Quadcannon Turret | Large | 1800 | 2500 | 2500 | 1200 | ||
| Point Defence Autocannon | Large | 1800 | 3000 | 3000 | 1000 | ||
| EC250 Plasma Turret | Large | 1800 | 5000 | 5000 | 1200 | ||
| Cannon Sentry | Small | 800 | 3000 | 3000 | 1000 | ||
| Gatling Sentry | Small | 800 | 1000 | 1000 | 800 | ||
| Vulcan Sentry | Small | 800 | 2000 | 2000 | 800 | ||
| Small Sentry | Small | 600 | 600 | 600 | 800 |