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A high precision version of the standard-issue rocket launcher, the Direct Hit has been engineered from the ground up for Soldiers who have mastered the art of shooting at their targets instead of vaguely near them. — Direct Hit publicity blurb
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The Direct Hit is an unlockable primary weapon for the Soldier. It appears as a high-tech rocket launcher with a slimmer barrel, smaller exhaust port and is outfitted with a cosmetic scope. The Mann Co. logo is imprinted on the side.
Unlike the default Rocket Launcher, the Direct Hit's projectile travels at a rate of 1980 Hammer Units per second (roughly 84 mph), 80% faster than normal rockets. Additionally, the rockets inflict 25% more damage on their target than conventional rockets. For precision marksmen, the Direct Hit also scores mini-crits on targets that are sent airborne by an explosion, adding additional damage and negating damage fall-off.
The splash area of the Direct Hit's shots is reduced to 30%, placing emphasis on players needing to score "direct hits" on enemies in order to effectively damage them. The radius of the splash zone is roughly 40 Hammer units, the width of an operational Teleporter. This tightened splash radius only applies to enemies however, as the Soldier can successfully rocket jump and the radius is extended to equal the normal Rocket Launcher's rockets.
Due to the Direct Hit's increased damage per hit and emphasis on hitting targets directly with rockets, it is most effective against slow-moving and stationary targets with high health, such as Sentry Guns or Heavies.
The Direct Hit is automatically given to any player who obtains 11 Soldier achievements.
Damage and function times
Damage and function times
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Shot type
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Projectile
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Damage
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Maximum ramp-up
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125%
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140
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Base damage
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100%
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112
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Maximum fall-off
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51%
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57
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Critical
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336
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Mini-crit
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152
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Function times
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Attack interval
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0.8 s
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Reload (first)
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0.8 s
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Reload (consecutive)
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0.92 s
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Values are approximate and determined by community testing.
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Demonstration
Crafting
Blueprint
As a Crafting Ingredient
Related Achievements
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Backdraft Dodger Kill a Pyro who has airblasted one of your rockets in the last 10 seconds.
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Crockets Are Such B.S. Shoot two non-boosted crit rockets in a row.
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Death from Below Kill 10 opponents who are airborne with the Direct Hit.
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For Whom the Shell Trolls Bounce an opponent into the air with a rocket and then kill them with the shotgun before they land.
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Mutually Assured Destruction Kill an enemy sniper with a rocket after he kills you.
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Where Eagles Dare Get the highest possible rocket jump using jump and crouch.
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Update history
December 17, 2009 Patch
- The item was added to the game.
December 18, 2009 Patch
- The weapon's short range damage curve is tweaked to match that of the standard Rocket Launcher.
December 22, 2009 Patch
- The weapon no longer scores mini-crits against enemies submerged in water.
January 13, 2010 Patch
- Changed the Direct Hit to only mini-crit enemies that have been launched into the air by an explosion.
September 30, 2010 Patch
January 7, 2011 Patch
- This weapon's kill icon was updated.
January 19, 2011 Patch
- Updated model with optimizations and new LODs.
Bugs
- When reloading, the Soldier's hand will animate as if he's putting in rockets; however, the rockets are not shown.
- The kill icon depicts the scope on the right hand side of the barrel, whereas it is on the left hand side in game.
Trivia
- The Direct Hit was definitely not involved in the tragic explosion of American monkeynaut Poopy Joe's capsule. Mann Co.'s subsequent desire to give away the weapon was for completely unrelated and innocent reasons. [1]
- There are 3 unused sounds for the Direct Hit's taunt in the game files: first, second, third.
- The Direct Hit was first glimpsed on Day 4 of the War update in two different locations. Its muzzle is visible behind Saxton Hale on Page 10 of the comic (though its proportions are slightly distorted), and it is visible on the Engineer's chalkboard on the newspaper.
- The Direct Hit was found before announced on page 21 of the WAR! Update comic in the Administrator's hands.
Gallery
See also
External links
Soldier |
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| Weapons |
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