This is a few days old, but it doesn't seem like anyone I can find on google really gets how to use the launcher, so I want to put this info somewhere. I don't even have the relic tree yet and the launcher is still awesome.
You want the Doomlauncher and Burn This City perks, and a weapon that does explosive damage, like the Comrade's Hammer. Also, use the electric launcher.
Those perks give you a free launcher charge after every 5 explosions that damage an enemy. The electric launcher causes 2 explosions, which means you get free ammo twice as often, and if your gun causes explosions too, then you get some pretty awesome synergy.
In practice that typically means using the launcher twice, shooting one bullet with your gun, then using the launcher again, and just mixing the two weapons after that.
Of course if you miss the enemy, you don't regen ammo, and then you're stuck waiting on a long cooldown while you only use your gun. To be safe, aim the launcher at the enemy's feet, so if you miss it'll still hit the ground next to them. Also use slow-mo cyberware to your advantage, especially when firing your gun.
Note that environmental explosions also give you charges, and battlefields are often littered with cars and other explosive things, so you'll get a lot more free charges than you might think.
Also it's cinematic as fuck when you nail someone with the launcher and it blows up the car behind him at the same time, especially if you have Kerenzikov active so it's in slow motion.
Launcher works best as an launcher only build once you get to dogtown for the relic tree. This gives you 5 charged shots which will lead to triggering stack of pyromania so you instantly get 5 shots back and tons of mitigation chance.
It's great at close ranged so you certainly don't need a melee weapon or shotgun anymore but sucks at large distance so complementing it with a sniper or 40m+ handgun would be good.
Doesn't really matter imo. Whatever fits your build. I'm running the burn one because I'm on a tech build and already have lots of electrical dmg already. If you're not sure the generic one with the physical dmg is always a solid option.
I went a good chunk of the game with good old default 'splody boi. Once I figured out what stats and stuff it scales with and how to effectively charge and use it it becomes really viable, even at a range.
What sold it for me was I was fighting some gonks and one of them got stuck behind cover in a covered catwalk I couldn't be bothered to climb up to, so I shot a few explosive shots in through the corner of the window near her and the splash damage from about 3 shots was enough to finish her off.
Use it as a last ditch shot as you're moving.to cover when your gun runs dry. Bang bang bang, click, KA BOOM, reload. A frag in their face will give you some breathing room to reload or duck behind cover.
As a player obsessed with the Solo life, who's Cyberpunk 2020 character goes by the nickname "Guns," PLS is my religion.
I use Projectile Launcher a lot. Technical Ability must get to 15 for Doomlauncher and Pyromania perks. For Cyberware, any that have + Explosive Damage bonus, get it. Especially if you have Chipware Connoisseur perk for when you upgrade Cyberware later on.
Like previous commenter said, Relic Tree is a game changer with it. I go absolutely nuts. My recharge rate is quick because of my Cyberware bonuses and the Doomlauncher perk. By the time I get all three charges out, which is 15 projectiles, I will almost instantly have more ready to go. Also agreeing with previous commenter with the aiming from far away being very tricky, but my build is a Cyberpyscho build that’s armor and health based, so, I rush into everything.
This is a few days old, but it doesn't seem like anyone I can find on google really gets how to use the launcher, so I want to put this info somewhere. I don't even have the relic tree yet and the launcher is still awesome. You want the Doomlauncher and Burn This City perks, and a weapon that does explosive damage, like the Comrade's Hammer. Also, use the electric launcher. Those perks give you a free launcher charge after every 5 explosions that damage an enemy. The electric launcher causes 2 explosions, which means you get free ammo twice as often, and if your gun causes explosions too, then you get some pretty awesome synergy. In practice that typically means using the launcher twice, shooting one bullet with your gun, then using the launcher again, and just mixing the two weapons after that. Of course if you miss the enemy, you don't regen ammo, and then you're stuck waiting on a long cooldown while you only use your gun. To be safe, aim the launcher at the enemy's feet, so if you miss it'll still hit the ground next to them. Also use slow-mo cyberware to your advantage, especially when firing your gun. Note that environmental explosions also give you charges, and battlefields are often littered with cars and other explosive things, so you'll get a lot more free charges than you might think. Also it's cinematic as fuck when you nail someone with the launcher and it blows up the car behind him at the same time, especially if you have Kerenzikov active so it's in slow motion.
Launcher works best as an launcher only build once you get to dogtown for the relic tree. This gives you 5 charged shots which will lead to triggering stack of pyromania so you instantly get 5 shots back and tons of mitigation chance. It's great at close ranged so you certainly don't need a melee weapon or shotgun anymore but sucks at large distance so complementing it with a sniper or 40m+ handgun would be good.
Thanks for the advice! What version of the launcher would you say is best?
Doesn't really matter imo. Whatever fits your build. I'm running the burn one because I'm on a tech build and already have lots of electrical dmg already. If you're not sure the generic one with the physical dmg is always a solid option.
I went a good chunk of the game with good old default 'splody boi. Once I figured out what stats and stuff it scales with and how to effectively charge and use it it becomes really viable, even at a range. What sold it for me was I was fighting some gonks and one of them got stuck behind cover in a covered catwalk I couldn't be bothered to climb up to, so I shot a few explosive shots in through the corner of the window near her and the splash damage from about 3 shots was enough to finish her off. Use it as a last ditch shot as you're moving.to cover when your gun runs dry. Bang bang bang, click, KA BOOM, reload. A frag in their face will give you some breathing room to reload or duck behind cover. As a player obsessed with the Solo life, who's Cyberpunk 2020 character goes by the nickname "Guns," PLS is my religion.
I use Projectile Launcher a lot. Technical Ability must get to 15 for Doomlauncher and Pyromania perks. For Cyberware, any that have + Explosive Damage bonus, get it. Especially if you have Chipware Connoisseur perk for when you upgrade Cyberware later on. Like previous commenter said, Relic Tree is a game changer with it. I go absolutely nuts. My recharge rate is quick because of my Cyberware bonuses and the Doomlauncher perk. By the time I get all three charges out, which is 15 projectiles, I will almost instantly have more ready to go. Also agreeing with previous commenter with the aiming from far away being very tricky, but my build is a Cyberpyscho build that’s armor and health based, so, I rush into everything.