GTM EMP Adv.

Weapons in Descent: FreeSpace

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Weapons in FreeSpace 2

Primaries Secondaries Turrets Weapon Comparison Table, FS2

The GTM-14 EMP Adv. is a tactical missile used by the GTVA in FreeSpace 2. It is an improved version of the GTM EM Pulse introduced during the Hades Rebellion. The EMP Adv. is an aspect-seeking missile that, upon impact, creates a shockwave with an effective range of 300 meters. Ships caught in the blast will have their sensors and communications scrambled for a period of time, rendering them unable to acquire and maintain aspect lock on their target and reduce their ability to send and receive messages, with the scrambling effect being more pronounced the closer the ship is to the center of the shockwave, while bombs and turrets within the shockwave radius will experience temporary shutdown.

Although the EMP Adv. is not designed to be used as an offensive weapon, it is reported that the missile is capable of penetrating warship armor, albeit with an absurd amount of hits.

Tech Room Data

The GTM-14 EM Pulse Adv.

The GTM-14 Electromagnetic Pulse Advanced warhead interferes with the electronics systems of vessels caught within its blast radius. This renders the affected ships unable to track targets, manage communications, or gain aspect missile lock. Tactically, the GTM-14 is a very effective anti-bomber weapon, as it also temporarily shuts down the guidance and propulsion systems of warheads in flight. This advanced version of the standard EM Pulse missile disrupts subsystems at a deeper circuitry level, resulting in a longer-lasting effect.

Performance

Name	EMP Adv.
Range	1375 m
Reload time	2.0 s
Velocity	275 ms-1
Damage	45
Armor damage	45
Shield damage	36
Subsystem damage	22.5
Homing type	Aspect
Minimum lock time	2 s
Turn rate (360 degress)	1 s
Shockwave radius (inner/outer)	80 / 300 m

Additional properties

• Weapon is a missile weapon (Secondary weapon)
• Weapon causes an EMP effect on any ship within the blast radius (EMP)
• The shockwave doubles the damage against any target that takes a direct hit

Veteran Comments

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Almost statistically identical to the GTM EM Pulse in FS1, except that the EMP Adv. travels 25 m/s faster.

If you're trying to get aspect lock on something, or even just trying to keep your bearings, this missile is evil incarnate. The EMP scrambling effect causes your target to change randomly, and the missile includes a small shockwave effect to knock you around and make sure you're not quite certain what direction you're pointed in.

The main problem with this weapon is that it's a double-edged sword, if you're too close to your enemy, your sensors get screwed up, too. The solution: use this weapon at its maximum effective range.

Even after it seemed like everything was fine, I still got some residual effects every now and then. Not the HUD flickering, but I did get some random target changes.

The EMP effect prevents AI fighters and bombers from acquiring aspect lock. This is remarkably useful in an anti-bomber role, since as long as the effect is in place, the bombers can't fire their warheads. The EMP effect will also cause AI fighters to select random targets to attack, which can either make a mission much easier (by sending said fighters dozens of kilometers away on a wild goose chase) or much more difficult (by allowing them to attack ships that would otherwise never be targeted for attack). Finally, warship turrets caught in an EMP blast will briefly cease fire.

The EMP Adv. is useful in escort missions with few present fighters, and many bombers. Be wary, however, and only mount the missile on your own fighter as your wingmen will quickly remove any hope of targeting anything for the duration of the mission.

A note to FREDders: Arming enemy ships with this thing is sadistic and immoral.

When fighting Sobek corvettes or something else with hellish AAA beams, I always pack some of these. The EMP effect gives me time to knock out the turrets before they come back online. A good strategy is to pack Tempests or Rockeyes with these EMP missiles, just in case you accidentally get EMP splashed. On missions with a lot of bomber waves, you can simply wait at their respawn point, then EMP splash them as they jump in. Mop up quickly and repeat.

Funnily enough, the EMP Adv. inflicts normal damage on "big damage" targets despite not having the "huge" flag. Knock down a warship to 1% hull, and keep pounding it with EMPs until it goes down. It takes time and a lot of score penalty for reload, but it works.