What are off-map abilities?
[p]Off-map Abilities are powerful abilities that do not originate from units on the tactical battlefield. In almost all cases, they have a limited number of uses, and most will have a delay between requesting them and their effect on the battlefield.[/p][p][/p][p]This could be a distant artillery emplacement or a missile shot down from the strike cruiser hovering over the battlefield. Planning ahead is definitely required as the situation on the battlefield is very dynamic: Units are changing positions, new threats emerge, and your troops might have taken out a position before the off-map strike hits. [/p][p][/p][p]Most off-map abilities have a single use. They can be activated from the tactical combat UI. In many cases, the player selects an ability and then determines a location where it will be effective. After that, a timer counts down until the ability actually arrives on the battlefield.[/p][p]It is essential to note that enemy units will not be aware of incoming off-map abilities and therefore will not actively avoid them.[/p][p][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/44529886/2fd6aad6a57c82d3c8b86704dd1d28829453c03a.jpg"][/img][/p]
How to Acquire Off-map Abilities
[p]Off-map abilities can be acquired through either OCI ship upgrades to your strike cruiser or through strategic assets that can be acquired when completing tactical combat missions. The player's strike cruise has a certain number of OCI upgrade slots that can accommodate various improvements. Some might increase healing rates of elements between missions, increase players' intelligence rating, or grant off-map abilities to use in combat. [/p][p][/p][p]Strategic assets are special rewards tied to tactical combat missions. There are many different ones, and we will discuss them in a later diary, but some grant additional off-map abilities as well. [/p][p][/p][p]Once an off-map ability is acquired, it can be used in every tactical combat, so you don't have to worry about not having it ready in the next mission. Also, once acquired, it does not need any additional resources to be employed.[/p][p][/p]
Offmap Ability Examples
[p]To get a better idea of what you can do with these abilities, here is a set of examples. Please note that we continually add new ones throughout development as well.[/p][p][/p]
Dropship Strafing Run
[p]A marine dropship equipped with a high ROF rotary machine gun, or Minigun, that strafes targets in a line. The attack will hit 5 tiles in a row that players can select when activating the ability.[/p][p]This attack is most effective at striking large clusters of infantry, but can damage light vehicles as well:[/p][p][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/44529886/9d496b58323aafecb63a2ccd6fe29b3d9e09b65a.jpg"][/img][/p]Unguided Missile Strike
[p]A large but unguided missile strike shot from the strike cruiser in low orbit. A massive impact that will destroy almost anything it directly hits and severely damage units and structures nearby. [/p][p][/p][p]However, it has a high chance of scattering, so relying on it to directly hit the target is a risky strategy.[/p][p][/p][p]In this example, the strike is aimed at a defensive pirate turret to clear the path for advancing vehicles that this EMP weapon would disable. Unfortunately, it misses the target but still manages to inflict some damage and a “defect” on it. Note the large crater that can be used for cover by infantry units:[/p][p][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/44529886/00d80b3d5e706f259ea3b071ec34e40da0513f00.jpg"][/img][/p]Supply Drop
[p]As all special weapons and most accessories have limited uses, many units will run out of ammo during long engagements.[/p][p][/p][p]The supply drop is a large ammo crate dropped by a low-flying dropship onto the battlefield that can fully restock any ammo of a unit picking it up. Refilling anti-tank capabilities or other specialized weapon systems on the fly can be crucial to maintaining the fight. Especially as it is sometimes hard to foresee where the most intense fighting will take place:[/p][p][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/44529886/11230a386869d2f89eb6947e11ab26f903a452f2.jpg"][/img][/p]Energy Cannon
[p]An especially advanced and powerful weapon is the so-called Energy Cannon, which emits a high-powered beam from a lower orbit that cuts across multiple tiles, leaving a trail of devastation.[/p][p][/p][p]Almost any object or unit will be obliterated by this attack, but Infantry can get lucky with dodging the beam, at least partially:[/p][p][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/44529886/7435275688b2964339f3b322df60a903ccf1ff60.jpg"][/img][/p]Engage, Explore, and Stay Informed
[p]That's it for now! We'll see you next Friday.[/p][p]You can find us on Discord, BlueSky, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Reddit for discussions, updates, and feedback. You can also subscribe to our monthly MENACE newsletter on our website — just scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2432860/MENACE/"][/dynamiclink]Check out Dev Diary #21, where we answer several of your questions in a comprehensive F.A.Q.[/p][p][dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2432860/view/515210714689831539"][/dynamiclink][/p]
