Talk:Disruptor Pulse Launcher

Does the DPL need 75% TUs to Launch? If so, its a step back from the Blaster Launcher, which requires 80% TUs to use the Aimed mode...but the Launch mode takes 66%, and supersedes the aimed mode. Arrow Quivershaft 22:58, 26 February 2009 (CST)

Sunny Beach! We really need to explain this issue better because I keep forgetting. Listed Aimed TU% is indeed 75%, however because of the "Waypoint" and "Launcher" flag in OBDATA.DAT, it is nullified and becomes 66%. So I guess the launch modes are identical. Will fix.--Zombie 23:21, 26 February 2009 (CST)

IIRC, the DPL and BL do not have normal accuracy, instead they have "drift" while flying between waypoints. This means even your accuracy 1 soldier with 6 fatal wounds on his arm will be able to have a pretty accurate blaster bomb/ DPL torpedo. As compared to such a soldier firing an autocannon or rifle, which can sometimes lead to him shooting at like 90 degrees to the target... Jasonred 23:41, 26 February 2009 (CST)

I sort of mentioned this in my writeup. I forget what the actual accuracy is between waypoints for the Blaster Launcher so I took a wild guess from what I remembered and applied that to the DPL, though this hasn't been verified in TFTD yet. I think the actual accuracy between waypoints ignores a unit's personal FA stat and just applies the 50% chance rule. --Zombie 23:50, 26 February 2009 (CST)

I can definitely confirm that some aliens (in this case a Lobsterman Squad Leader/Navigator) has employed more than 1 waypoint when using a DPL Firgeis 21:11, 10 August 2012 (EDT)

DPL Spam

Magic9Mushroom, I'm pretty sure I've played several game years into the game and the DPL has always been a special weapon used only on certain crew weapon loads, with the Sonic Cannon replacing the primary armament.

The only time I've ever encountered an a crew armed almost entirely with DPLs (with some Thermal Shok support) is on the very first level of T'Leth.

Are you using any patches with your copy of the game or any particular in-game conditions you've noticed for this to occur?

Just thinking about an all DPL load, that would make land missions depressingly easy! At least, as long as no reaction shots are performed by the AI. -NKF 04:32, 23 July 2009 (EDT)

I've taken a look at my old save files. It appears that the DPL spam only occurs in Alien Colony Assault Missions, as well as T'leth. I can confirm the all DPL load in the colony missions. Sorry for the confusion. Magic9mushroom 07:42, 23 July 2009 (EDT)

Expanded this section

I expanded this to discuss how the AI uses DPs and how players can use them. Anyone, feel free to fact check. 4th Cuirassier 07:54, 2 February 2011 (EST)

Disruptor vs. Disrupter

I have uncovered the source of the long-time confusion about this spelling: the game spells it both ways. In the research screen and UFOpedia it's spelled "Disruptor", but in the Battlescape when you look at the item in the inventory screen it's spelled "Disrupter". This also goes for the M.C. Disruptor/Disrupter.

Both spellings are accepted (and both appeared in the 1880s), so it's hard to classify either as a mistake. I would, however, vote that we keep the UFOpedia spellings and simply note the alternative spelling under notes/trivia. Any objections? Magic9mushroom (talk) 04:47, 5 August 2018 (CEST)

Counterplay?

Should we describe how to mitigate the effects of alien DPLs on X-Com soldiers? The main notable way is to use Magnetic Ion Armour to cut down the kill radius and to allow vertical staggering of soldiers (there's also the standard advice of "don't use grenade-bait formations" and "don't overextend"). Magic9mushroom (talk) 10:12, 15 January 2020 (CET)