QMR-Ridgeback
The Ridgeback is the disposable demolition variant of the Quadruped Military Robot program. Employing modified GRADA Stealth technology, the QMR-Ridgeback can eliminate platforms and barriers deep in enemy territory. These UGVs will be quickly destroyed after their alpha strike, so be sure to prioritize high value targets.—In-Game Description
General Information
The QMR-Kuvasz is a Tier 10 Infantry, unlocked exclusively through blueprint acquisition in Events.
Weapons
QMR-Ridgeback slowly fires off its explosives, dealing damage to all structures in a somewhat large area of effect. Until it delivers its alpha strike, it remains in stealth.
Additionally, the QMR-Ridgeback can be equipped with a secondary weapon. The fifth slot, unlocked at level 10, only has BlockRAID Explosives, which add to the power of its alpha strike and inflict fire DOT to any structures that survive its attack.
Usage in Combat
An alternative to the usual ”death from above“ approach with the likes of Raven/V-44 Titanus/YF-45 Griffin, the QMR-Ridgeback takes its speciality to the extreme and attacks structures with merciless prejudice. Being grounded stealth units, Ridgebacks are able to quite literally slip past defenses and bypass Minefields without activating them as they move in for the kill. As their description implies, QMR-Ridgeback's main suit is its ability to deliver a single attack with massive burst damage. It's safe to say this amount is simply overkill against normal Defense Platforms, and as such it is best against particularly durable structures, most notably any Heavy Platform, War Factory, Airfield, Garage, Barracks and Helipad. Their applications are specific to the platoon's attack plan, and are typically sent ahead of the main force to clear the way. For example, Heavy Vehicle Platoons featuring Hammerhead, DLP-Sabre, Odachi and Cleaver AAP often have the necessary means to defend against aerial threats, hence invalidating any spawns from the Airfield or the Helipad. This leaves the Heavy Gustaf, Garage, and War Factory as viable Ridgeback targets. From there, the player can strategize further - If they find Heavy Gustaf's range troubling but are confident on fighting threats spawned by the other two buildings, Ridgebacks should be sent to attack and possibly remove the Heavy Gustaf, thereby cutting their losses. Ridgebacks can also make a potent companion outside of platoons, as they can be optionally included as payload for Aquila, Corvus and Noctua. These Light Vehicles can use their sheer DPS to overwhelm and eradicate some enemy structures, then drop QMR-Ridgebacks to finish any others that survive their initial onslaught and potentially win a completely hopeless fight by proxy.
It cannot be stressed further that QMR-Ridgebacks, despite their destructive power, are balanced by their major drawbacks. Although they do not actually destroy themselves after their alpha strike, the attack breaks stealth, which often leads to their immediate destruction due to their very long attack cooldown and abysmal health, effectively landing only one attack. Stealth Breakers, while rare, can also completely foil any attempts to use them, as their minuscule range means they will never reach their targets when revealed. Despite their capacity, their very low squad and platoon count can hinder their use by taking up a valuable slot in the platoon that could have been used for extra DPS. As such, selective players who prefer manipulation to improve their matchups can often live without its support. While the platoon issue can be partially resolved when attacking with Aquila, Corvus and Noctua, they usually find themselves losing out on DPS, and since units deployed from carriers are automatically guided by AI, they tend to waste their attack on a non-essential structure like a Metal Factory, effectively denying all of its value. Finally, it's worth mentioning as destructive as they are, QMR-Ridgeback can only damage structures (which precludes any use in Defense Platoons) and remain somewhat limited at that regard, so the attacking army will have to work with what they have and tackle defenders accordingly. It's a promising unit, but does require extensive practice for maximum destruction.
Gallery
Promotional image
Trivia
- As with all QMR units, the QMR-Ridgeback itself is based on the BigDog, a real Quaruped Military Robot, and derives its name from the eponymous dog breed.
- At 10, QMR-Ridgeback has the lowest range out of all units.
- QMR-Ridgeback's icon depicts it carrying blocks of C-4 Explosives as its payload.
- It is currently the only ground unit with stealth in the entire game.
See Also
- QMR-Kuvasz
- QMR-Foxhound
- QMR-Ridgeback and QMR-Kuvasz' Designer Diary
- QMR-Ridgeback's Recon Report
- C-4 Explosives on Wikipedia
- BigDog on Wikipedia
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- Infantry
- Assault
- Tier 10
- Units
- Locked For Platoon