USC: Counterforce

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|| [[basics|Basics]] || [[combat_mechanics|**Combat**]] || [[squad|Squad]] || [[tactics|Tactics]] || [[dtb|Defend the Base!]] || [[skills|Skills]] || [[damage_type_info|Damage type info]] ||

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====== Combat Mechanics ======
===== Table of Contents =====

  * [[#the_combat_panel|The Combat Panel]]
  * [[#attack_modes|Attack Modes]]
  * [[#attacking|Attacking]]
  * [[#attack_patterns:_star_&_sweep|Attack Patterns: Star & Sweep]]
  * [[#attack_patterns:_free,_arc_&_specials|Attack Patterns: Free, Arc & Specials]]
  * [[#defense_mode|Defense Mode]]

===== The Combat Panel =====

{{https://angrycatstudios.com/usccf/combat/images/CombatPanel.png}}

Whenever a selected unit has a weapon equipped, the combat panel is visible in the bottom right corner of the screen. This is where you can control all your <color orange>weapon-related actions</color>.


<color #08e8de>A</color>: the middle, big panel with the weapon's image, name, and ammo information also serves as the <color #66ff00>aim toggle (or ready/holster weapon) button</color> (hotkey: <color orange>SPACE</color>). Use it to enter targeting mode in order to attack, or holster your weapon manually.

<color orange>Ammo information</color> not only shows how much ammunition is currently loaded in the weapon (e.g. 40/40), but tells you how much of the exact same ammo is available from your inventory (e.g. +200). Subtypes of the same caliber (e.g..223) aren't taken into consideration.

On the right, you can also see an icon of the loaded ammo, and an icon related to its primary <color orange>type</color>, such as armor piercing, incendiary, acidic, etc.

<color #08e8de>B</color>: Above the aim toggle button are the three <color orange>attack mode</color> selector buttons. These are used to switch between the different attack capabilities of the weapon (see the [[#attack_modes|Attack modes]] entry.) The <color #66ff00>green numbers</color>, as always, indicate the Action Points cost of //using// (not just selecting) an attack mode.

//Disabling FF lock to fire at a neutral object//
{{https://angrycatstudios.com/usccf/combat/videos/FRIENDLY_FIRE_BARREL_16_9.mp4?1280x720}}


<color #08e8de>C</color>: The <color orange>Friendly Fire Lock</color> button is used to toggle the possibility of aiming at neutral (empty ground, walls, objects) and friendly targets. When the button is <color #66ff00>green</color>, friendly fire attacks are DISABLED. When it's <color red>red</color>, they are ENABLED.

<color yellow>Note</color>: Having FF lock enabled (safe) doesn't mean you can't do friendly fire damage accidentally; it means, however, that your units won't attack even during <color #66ff00>Defense mode</color> if that attack would primarily affect any friendlies.

The buttons in the bottom are for <color orange>unloading, reloading</color> your weapon, and initiating / canceling [[#defense_mode|Defense mode]]. The concepts of these actions are covered in other Encyclopedia entries.

[[#Top|Back to top ↑]]
===== Attack Modes =====

**General / ranged attack mode panel**

{{https://angrycatstudios.com/usccf/combat/images/AttackModePanel_01.png}}

There are a lot of properties that make up an <color orange>attack mode</color>. Very often a weapon's different attack modes are quite different, and are better suited for a specific situation.

Ranged weapons all have <color orange>2 ranged attack modes</color> and a generic, fallback <color orange>melee</color> mode that is not really suitable for efficient melee combat, but can help in Melee Defense if there's no other option.

Properties from left to right, top to bottom:

  * <color yellow>AP</color>: <color #66ff00>Action Points</color> cost. The number always shows the actual value with modifiers, not the weapon's default.

  * <color yellow>Ammo</color>: The amount of <color orange>ammunition</color> consumed by a single attack. Has to be fully available to be able to use the attack mode.

  * <color yellow>CHC</color>: <color orange>Critical hit chance</color>. Critical hits are guaranteed hits irrespective of accuracy that also do extra damage.

  * <color yellow>CDF</color>: <color orange>Critical damage factor</color>. This is the damage multiplier applied to critical hits. Note that the Armor of the target is first subtracted from the base damage, thus critical hits against heavily armored targets may be less effective!

  * <color yellow>Target</color>: <color orange>Target area</color> of the attack. Single is a single unit, 3x3 and 5x5 are areas of the respective sizes, etc.

  * <color yellow>Pattern</color>: The <color orange>targeting pattern</color> of the attack that determines what you can aim at from your current position. Can be Star, Sweep, Free, Arc, Passthrough, or something special. See the respective Encyclopedia entries!

  * <color yellow>Range</color>: Interval of the <color orange>minimum</color> and <color orange>maximum</color> (effective) range. An attack can't be made at closer than the minimum or further than the maximum range.

  * <color yellow>Spread</color>: The degradation rate of accuracy per grid, starting from the minimum range + 1 and up.

  * <color yellow>Accuracy</color>: Greatly determines the <color orange>chance to hit</color> targets that are further away, in darkness, and/or behind cover.

  * <color yellow>Damage</color>: Interval of <color orange>physical damage</color> done by a successful attack.

  * <color yellow>Impact</color>: <color orange>Impact force</color> of the attack that determines the chance of knocking a target back, or shattering a frozen unit.

  * <color yellow>ArP</color>: <color orange>Armor Penetration</color> determines how much of the target's Armor value is ignored (bypassed) by the attack.

  * <color yellow>Special damages</color>: The five icons and numbers represent the maximum [[damage_type_info|Tranquilizing, Fire, Acid, Poison, and Cryo damage]] done by the attack.


**Melee attack modes**

{{https://angrycatstudios.com/usccf/combat/images/AttackModePanel_02.png}}

Melee attacks have a few different properties. These are:

  * <color yellow>Debilitating strike chance</color>: Any successful hit has this much chance (flat) to apply <color orange>debilitation</color> to an enemy, which is a non-stackable, permanent effect that <color orange>reduces the damage done</color> by that unit.

  * <color yellow>Bleeding per hit</color>: Any successful hit will apply this much <color red>extra bleeding</color>, irrespective of damage done.

  * MCV: The <color orange>Melee Combat Value</color> determines your chance to hit with melee attacks. MCV is greatly dependent on your <color yellow>Melee combat</color> skill. The first number is the actual value, the second one in parentheses is the weapon's base attack value. A value of 50-60 is considered good enough against the most dangerous enemies.

Most melee attacks don't cost ammo, but some might (see the <color yellow>Stun baton</color> for example.)

[[#Top|Back to top ↑]]
===== Attacking =====

//Selecting different attack modes while aiming, then attacking an enemy//
{{https://angrycatstudios.com/usccf/combat/videos/PATTERN_GENERAL_16_9.mp4?1280x720}}

To attack, you first have to have <color #66ff00>toggle aiming on (ready your weapon)</color>. This is done by clicking the big weapon button on the <color yellow>combat panel</color>, or by pressing <color orange>SPACE</color>.

Depending on what <color orange>attack pattern</color> the currently selected <color orange>attack mode</color> has, some grids will become marked with different overlay colors.
  * <color orange>**Faint orange**</color> grids are part of the attack pattern, but there's nothing to target there.
  * <color yellow>**Yellow**</color> grids have a neutral or friendly target that is not attackable while <color orange>Friendly Fire lock</color> is on.
  * <color red>**Red**</color> grids are attackable (it's either a hostile target, or FF lock is off).

To <color orange>perform an attack</color>, <color #66ff00>left-click</color> on a grid marked in red. While the mouse is over that grid, the <color yellow>attack popup window</color> will be visible. It will tell you your <color orange>actual chance to hit</color>, and provide info about the target's status.

You can <color orange>move</color> while the targeting is on.

You can <color orange>holster</color> your weapon by clicking the big weapon button again.

You can more read about <color yellow>Attack patterns</color> in the next Encyclopedia entries. In general, bear in mind that different obstacles can block the Line of Fire. It seems evident for walls, but, for example, a small (half-height) target may take full cover behind even a small (half-height) object, etc.

//Although the Wurm is small, it can be attacked while a marine is "leaning over" the small barrel//
{{https://angrycatstudios.com/usccf/combat/videos/SHOOT_OVER_BARREL_16_9.mp4?1280x720}}

[[#Top|Back to top ↑]]
===== Attack Patterns: Star & Sweep =====

**Star**

{{https://angrycatstudios.com/usccf/combat/videos/PATTERN_STAR_1_1.mp4?720x720}}
{{https://angrycatstudios.com/usccf/combat/images/pattern_star.png}}

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**Sweep**

{{https://angrycatstudios.com/usccf/combat/videos/PATTERN_SWEEP_1_1.mp4?720x720}}
{{https://angrycatstudios.com/usccf/combat/images/pattern_sweep.png}}

[[#Top|Back to top ↑]]
===== Attack Patterns: Free, Arc & Specials =====

**Free**

{{https://angrycatstudios.com/usccf/combat/videos/PATTERN_FREE_1_1.mp4?720x720}}
{{https://angrycatstudios.com/usccf/combat/images/pattern_free.png}}


**Arc**

{{https://angrycatstudios.com/usccf/combat/videos/PATTERN_ARC_1_1.mp4?720x720}}
{{https://angrycatstudios.com/usccf/combat/images/pattern_arc.png}}

[[#Top|Back to top ↑]]
===== Defense Mode =====

Defense Mode puts all current Action Points into reserve and provides <color orange>Ranged Overwatch</color> OR extra <color orange>Melee Defense Value</color> (based on the current weapon/attack mode).

It can be freely cancelled, earning you back all APs in reserve.

Defense Mode has a default <color orange>AP</color> requirement of <color #66ff00>10</color> and a <color orange>Morale</color> requirement of <color #08e8de>20</color>!


In <color orange>Ranged Overwatch</color> the unit will automatically fire on targets entering its overwatch area while they have enough reserve APs and ammo. The range (area) of this overwatch can be adjusted. Under bad visibility conditions and against some "cloaked" enemies, firing is not guaranteed.

<color orange>Melee Defense Mode</color> gives you extra Defense Value and <color orange>Reserve AP %</color> physical damage reduction against melee attacks until the next turn. This bonus is not cancelled or diminished even if Morale falls below 10 or the unit is knocked back, etc. 20+ reserve APs are recommended against tougher enemies.

[[#Top|Back to top ↑]]

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USC: Counterforce

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