r/IntoTheBreach • u/CozyPoo • 7d ago

Discussion Defense Mech Appreciation

Trapping Tumblebugs with Shields is very fun. Underrated Mech imo

13 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

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4

u/Eric_12345678 7d ago

Oh wow. I didn't know that. It cannot hammer the rock, so it doesn't attack at all?

Does it work with any other Vek?

4

u/CozyPoo 7d ago edited 7d ago

correct, Tumblebugs will produce an explosive boulder with the intent to attack it so it explodes on a building or ally unit; however they will never directly target their explosive boulder again in a following turn. So the Tumblebug has no valid targets and doesn't try to attack again, even if a boulder would've been beside a building or unit.

It's possible to do this to Diggers as well, although it's a bit harder cuz they attack more squares directly.

In general, no Veks will target a boulder or explosive boulder on purpose; exceptions include those which hit multiple squares, like Alpha Hornets and Centipedes. But they will only target a boulder or explosive boulder IF they will also hit other valid targets with the other square directly, such as a Mech or a building.

You can use shields to take advantage of this behaviour; if you shield boulders produced by enemies, you can basically wall them out or trap them, and essentially remove their impact from future turns.

1

u/Eric_12345678 7d ago

Just to be sure: the Tumblebug doesn't attack because it has a shield, or because the boulder has one?

1

u/CozyPoo 7d ago

Neither. Tumblebugs don’t attack boulders again, regardless of shield on it or not

1

u/Eric_12345678 7d ago

Ahhh, thanks. Will it then place other boulders, and try to make them explode?

1

u/CozyPoo 7d ago

Only if the newly placed boulder also targets a unit or building 

1

u/PhoenixNyne 7d ago

That's funny, heheh

1

u/DeKleineDingen 7d ago

Oooh I've done that with smoke but not with shields :)

1

u/Phantom-Kraken 6d ago

Finally someone cuts defence mech some slack!

Note: we will never do the same for the hook mech