EDIT: Link to the Chicken Invaders wiki page on the subject, updated primarily by @Sammarald:
===
Hi all,
So, as many of you are aware, this happened:
And HERE IT IS
(credit to @trueuser for image of the gift.)
And I figure a topic where we compile all the relevant information and discuss our experiences with the weapon is in order because this is the first new CIU weapon (unless you count moron railgun or the vulcan rework) and it deserves some attention.
What we know:
-
In-game description: An unstoppable white-hot beam of destruction. Charging the beam increases its damage output from “mildly annoying” to “absolutely lethal” for anything that crosses its path. Just beware of internal heat build-up.
-
The weapon is the first to support a charging mechanic. Hold left-click to charge, release to fire. You can also fire uncharged shots just like any other weapon, though these are pretty negligible in damage.
-
The weapon pierces through pretty much all obstructions (chickens, eggs, barriers, you name it) and does damage to anything in its firing line. Probably pairs super well with a laser pointer hardpoint. @Davoid has also discovered this allows it to completely ignore bubbles from protective bubble waves.
-
A blast can be released at any point during charge, and the more charged the blast is, the more damage is dealt and the wider the area impacted by the beam is. Additionally, at full charge (and only full charge), the weapon destroys projectiles, at any atomic power level.
-
Known affected projectiles include pretty much anything the barbequer will affect, plus some others. Toxic chicken gas, Henterprise fireballs, and various other boss attacks. Some bosses like the Henperor’s Apprentice appear to simply stop their current attack cycle when shot with a full-charge beam. Shooting a Toxic Chicken will a beam on full charge prevents a gas cloud from even spawning. It will not instantly destroy falling UFO debris, although will happily pass through it and deal damage like a regular weapon would, so it tends to clear them anyway.
-
Charging mechanics occur in phases - there are five distinct “levels” of charge as opposed to it being a fluidly scaling increase, and damage is determined by which level of charge it is on. Although it can be difficult to distinguish visually, there are distinct changes in pitch to the charging sound that indicate which level of charge the weapon is sitting on.
-
There appears to be no range limit, nor limit to how many objects can be pierced by the beam, at any charge or power level.
-
Complete list of damage per power level. Appears to increase in damage output with every power level (including 11-20), but doesn’t seem to change in any other way. Damage increase is linear, like Positron Stream:
EDIT: This list is no longer accurate in v.37, the Beam’s damage has since been increased.
(list by @GgWw1175)
-
Weapon heating works in a unique way: Whenever you press down on the mouse, heat will increase until the weapon is at full charge - then it will remain stable at that heat until you fire. The act of actually firing does not generate heat - but manual fire still counts as pressing on the mouse so rapid-firing the gun generates heat quite fast.
-
Currently the weapon is non-upgradable - this is only temporary.
-
It costs 600 keys in the default store, the most expensive weapon in-game. Has a weight value of 500 and a reactor drain of 450 power units.
-
The weapon is in the same damage buff group as Positron Stream (Special type weapons), making that weapon no longer unique in its category. Details from @Sammarald below:
Perhaps this category is where iA simply dumps all the linear scaling weapons?
-
47 minute playthrough with the weapon from @Davoid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3Y85iHfCBY -
Much shorter footage of the weapon from @trueuser:
-
Bomber-type spacecraft simply fire two beams from the pylons simultaneously, following their usual rules for power-scaling.
-
Collecting a power-up while using the weapon instantly fires the beam at its current charge.
-
And no, Galbatorix is not discussing this in his Rebalance Program, so don’t ask him.
Known Bugs:
- Currently none.
Some simple surveys:
NOTE: These have been closed as the beam has since had a balance update - if you would like to reconduct a poll please post it here or in another appropriate topic. 
What are your thoughts on the Absolver Beam, in general?
- It’s awesome!
- It’s good.
- It’s ok.
- It’s bad.
- It’s awful.
How balanced is the Absolver Beam, currently?
- It’s perfect.
- It’s acceptable.
- It’s too weak.
- It’s too powerful.
- It’s too situational.
- It’s too hard to compare because the other weapons aren’t balanced.
I will continue to update this post as new findings are made.
0 to