Tornado generator

The tornado generator is a powerful single-use utility artifact that forms a tornado at the targeted location upon activation, wreaking havoc around it.

Acquisition

Tornado generators cannot be crafted. Instead they can only be acquired through trade, found in ancient shrines, and as a reward for performing quests. Note that quest rewards are selected with a weighted random generator, so there is no way to guarantee access to an serum in a given play-through. Anecdotally, it is often reported that the increased number of reward options added by the DLC dilute the reward pool with more options.

Summary

Worn in "Waist" utility slot, tornado generators can be equipped by pawns. Pawns that are incapable of violence can equip, but not use, the generator. Once the wearer is drafted, it can be manually activated by the player to target a tile within 45 tiles and within line of sight. It can be targeted under roofs of all types but the tornado will deal no damage to targets under overhead mountain.

After a 3s warm-up, a tornado will be created which will move about the map randomly before dissipating between 2,700 ticks (45 secs) and 10,080 ticks (2.8 mins) later. Tornado will hurt units ^{[Investigation Needed]} in its proximity over time.

The generator cannot be recharged or refueled - once its single charge is expended, the item is completely destroyed.

Analysis

Due to its random nature and its slow speed it is not very effective against non stationary targets. Its best use is against enemy bases, enemy sieges or Mechanoid clusters . Over all, this is a very weak and unpredictable super weapon - a doomsday rocket would be preferable in just about every scenario.

Additionally, with a potentially long duration, the tornado can traverse significant distances, and thus should not be used on your home tile unless you are willing to risk damaging your own base or you have a mountain base.

Version history

0.19.2009 - Added, replacing the tornado event of Beta 18.
1.2.2753 - new artwork for orbital targeters. Changed from a weapon to a Utility item. Prior to this, like all ranged weapons it couldn't be used when the pawn was wearing a shield belt.
1.3.3067 - escaping prisoners are now capable of picking up and using these.

Utility