Debris Mine

Debris Mine is a munition type in .

Background
A directional fragmentation charge that creates a debris field dangerous to fighters and civilian ships. Debris mines fell out of use during the Imperial Wars, but Colonial Fleet has found a new use for the old tech against the overwhelming number of Cylon fighters.

Overview
Speed 450 m/s

Range 800m

Firing delay 1s

Hull damage 1

Explosion Range 40m

Magazine Stack 6

Salvo 1

Guidance Deploys debris field along a line between two points in range

Strategy
The Debris mine is a niche munition; fired by any Colonial ship with a munitions slot, it will generate a debris field hostile to all squadrons that deploys immediately upon hitting the selected zone and spreads/dissipates over several turns. This makes it useful for setting traps and thinning the ranks of Cylon squadron units but can equally be deadly to Colonial squadrons flying through it as well. In this capacity, it functions much the same way as a flak field, in that it destroys squadrons indiscriminately -- but it does not destroy incoming munitions.

To utilize to the greatest effect, players should effect the Debris mine as part of a layered defense strategy with the intent to win squadron engagements before they happen.

The mine itself has a selectable deployment range, giving the player control over where the mine initially detonates and a direction to where the field terminates. As such, players can control the depth, axis, and intensity of the debris field by extending its limits and placement.

When facing an enemy swarm in the Single Player campaign, Cylon squadrons tend to fly in a straight line directly toward a preferential target, such as a Berzerk, Minotaur, or Battlestar. Placing the mine across the flight path perpendicularly) creates a boundary for multiple ships (e.g. all ships get minor damage -- akin to many attackers running through a skirmish line - everyone gets damaged but only have a short distance through the line), while placing the mine field directly in front of the squadron and along its flight path maximizes damage (e.g. running through a gauntlet, where a single attackers takes damage all along the way).

Common strategies involve using the Debris Mine as an extra layer of protection outside a flak field or within the gap between the field and the flak-generating unit; alternately, squadrons will begin to maneuver around the flak field upon making contact, so placing debris mines on the uncovered sides of the ship will make it more difficult for the squadron to move to safety. Placing the mine within an existing flak field will compound damage, but becomes redundant; the best use-case for placing a debris mine within a flak area is to simply turn off the flak field to allow the unit to use its broadside guns without losing the squadron protection. While the debris mine will not protect against missiles, it can restore the option to fire on that side for a turn when extra firepower is needed. Players should prioritize targeting Heavy Cylon Raiders and Vespid Bombers and study the CPU's typical flight paths in Single Player to get a feel for mine placement; these units, in particular, must follow specific trajectories to take boarding and bombing actions against the player.

As previously noted, all squadrons are damaged by the Debris Mine. Players should either deploy squadrons prior to launching or after the Cylon ranks are thinned out to avoid damaging friendly units. Players can sometimes direct their units away from debris fields using the 'Move' or 'Defend at this Location' command, but if the field is too close to the carriers take off deck, the squadrons will receive damage upon launch.

The main drawback to using the Debris Mine is that it largely occupies a defensive role, decreasing the overall direct-fire punch available in torpedoes, Nukes, and Guided missiles. As such, players who prefer gun and carrier fleets may feel more comfortable arming their Battlestar and support units with Debris Mines to clear the field of enemy squadrons before launching their own counterattacks or closing the distance to open up with ballistic weapons.