Black Box

“

Each and every one of you will be sent home to your mama in a box! Click to listen — The Soldier

”

The Black Box is a craftable primary weapon for the Soldier class. It appears as a black, rectangular Rocket Launcher, sporting a couple of fastening bands near the firing end and case coverings hanging open at both ends of the weapon.

For every enemy successfully hit with the Black Box, the player will be awarded 15 health points, regardless of how much damage is dealt. For example, hitting one enemy awards 15 health, and hitting two rewards 30. The Soldier will not receive health if the target is a disguise-wearing Spy or an enemy under the effects of the Medigun's ÜberCharge, however, health will still be awarded if the target is using Bonk!.

Unlike the Powerjack and Eyelander, health gained through Black Box hits cannot grant overheal. Health gains are indicated by the health counter in the HUD. The downside of this weapon is that it can only hold three rockets. This makes the Black Box a choice of survivability over ability to deal damage.

Should a Pyro successfully reflect a Black Box rocket that collides with an enemy, the health bonus will be given to the Pyro.

Damage

See also: Damage

Range	Damage per Rocket	Mini-Crit Damage	Critical damage
Point Blank	105-112	122	270
Medium	50-95
Long	45-65

Notes

• Base: 90
• Max Ramp Up: 125% (112 damage)
• Max Fall Off: 53% (48 damage)
• Splash Damage Reduction: 1% per 2.88 Hammer units away from epicenter to a minimum of 50% at 9 feet (144 Hammer units)
• Splash Radius: 9 feet (144 Hammer units)
  • Splash at 3 ft/1m: 226 Critical hit
  • Splash at 6 ft/2m: 140 Critical hit
• Rocket Jump Damage to Self: 27-46
  • Critical Hit: Deals same amount of self damage as a regular rocket jump.
• Splash Damage to Self: 27-89
  • Critical Hit: Deals same amount of self damage as regular self damage.
  • Note: Pyros reflecting Black Box rockets will receive the health gain instead.
  • Note: Soldier will not receive 15hp if rocket only hits a disguised Spy, an ÜberCharge'd player, or an Engineer building.

Function times

• Attack Interval: 0.8
• Reload Base: 0.8
• Additional Reload: 0.92

Reload base is the time it takes to reload the first rocket. Additional reload is the time it takes to reload each rocket after the first. All times are in seconds. Times are approximate and determined by community testing.

Effects

• Heals 15 HP on hit (see also Healing).

Item set

Main article: Item sets

The Tank Buster
	Black Box Battalion's Backup Grenadier's Softcap
Effect	Leave a Calling Card on your victims

Blueprint

Direct Hit		Reclaimed Metal		Black Box
	+		=

Bugs

• Like the Direct Hit, when reloading, the Soldier's hand will animate as if he's putting in rockets; however, the rockets are heard, not seen.

Trivia

• The Black Box was originally based on the real world M202 FLASH incendiary Rocket Launcher, the four barrel holes were swapped for one due to gameplay issues.
• Larolaro, creator of this weapon, also created the Homewrecker.
• Despite having new firing sounds, this weapon has not received any custom animations, kill icons or taunts.
• Hitting a Scout who is using Bonk! Atomic Punch will still award the 15 health, despite not damaging the Scout.
• The Black Box was also the name of an unreleased compilation of the new content in The Orange Box.
• The healing effects of the Black Box make it easier for Soldiers to hold positions with no health packs.

Gallery

• Black Box 1st person cropped.png

  1st person view.

• 

  Projectile.

See also

• Black Box strategy
• Rocket Launcher
• Direct Hit