Dirtbag

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The Dirtbag is a light scout and obstruction unit from the Shieldbot Factory.

Dirtbag (shieldscout)
Box of Dirt
shieldscout.png
Stats
Cost 30
Hit Points 560
Movement Speed (elmo/s) 84
Turn Rate (deg/s) 396
Vision Radius (elmo) 600
Transportable Light
Abilities
Jumping
Range (elmo) 400
Reload (s) 10
Speed (elmo/s) 180
Midair jump No
Instant self-destruction
Weapons
Headbutt
Damage 48
Reload Time (s) 1.90
Damage per Second 25
Range (elmo) 50
Instantly hits
Ignores shields
Water capable
Passes through ground

Description

The Dirtbag exists to block enemy movement and generally get in the way. They are so dedicated to this task that they release their dirt payload upon death to form little annoying mounds. While waiting for their fate Dirtbags enjoy headbutting and scouting.

Tactics and Strategy[edit]

Highly utilitarian, literally dirt-cheap. Annoying. The Dirtbag can serve in a number of ways and sometimes turns out to be a game-changing unit.

While a bit slower then a Bandit, Dirtbags are also twice as cheap, and have an ability to jump, which, combined with having the same vision radius, turns them into a great scout early game. As a last-ditch effort, Dirtbag can try to self-detonate on enemy metal spots, restricting the mex construction. Kind of annoying.

As such, Dirtbags also serve as excellent screens against units such as Widows or Phantoms, but they will require some fire support to completely drive off the enemy. They also one-shot Fleas. Irritating, huh?

The Dirtbag can turn game for Rover Assembly, Hovercraft Platform, and Tank Foundry players into a clumsy mess. After death, Dirtbags spawn a little ugly mound, about the height of their legs. In mass, this can turn the battlefield into a claustrophobic unreadable horror of a terrain, providing you with a cheap terraforming option, and a huge advantage if you or your allies switch into Spider Factory. Beware, that the mounds will form wherever the Dirtbag dies, and will potentially restrict your radar vision. Pesky little things.

Finally, Dirtbags can draw fire, helping during charges on Stingers and other defences alike, being a target for Lances, clog up Jugglenauts in pull mode, draw out Imps and much more. When someone hits you, try throwing some dirt in their face, turns out it might just help.