Fusion Ball Launcher

The Fusion Ball Launcher is available after research is completed on the Blaster Launcher and Blaster Bomb.

Fusion Balls are without a doubt the most devasting weapon per shot available for use on X-COM craft. They also have the greatest range of any X-COM craft weapon, standing at 65 km.

However, the drawbacks associated with Fusion Balls far outweigh the advantages. There is only enough room on each hardpoint to load two fusion balls into each launcher, for a total of four shots. Against most UFOs, this is more than adequate; but against alien Battleships , your craft will likely run out of ammunition before bringing it down. The FBL also requires ammo to be manufactured for it, at a HIGH cost of hours (21000 dollars worth of labour) , cash (28000) and Elerium (4 elerium... market price 20000 but worth much more than that). EACH. The FBL does 230 damage vs the Plasma Beam's 140, but has a reload time of 25s, vs PB 6s. The FBL has 2 shots, the PB has 99. Fortunatly, the FBL has 100% accuracy, compared to PB with 50%.

Although it has the greatest range of all X-COM craft weapons, it is only equal to the range of the craft weapon on an alien Battleship. However, the Plasma Beam and Avalanche outrange all other UFOs except Battleships. This makes the FBL's range advantage over the Plasma Beam and Avalanche redundant.

Despite these disadvantages, however, Fusion Balls are the only way to intercept Battleships using Interceptors. You'll probably lose the interceptors and their armament, so this is really reserved for the last resort.

Manufacturing Requirements