NC15 Phoenix

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The NC15 Phoenix is a rocket launcher available to the New Conglomerate. It is unlocked through purchase with Certification Points or Daybreak Cash.

The Phoenix is the Conglomerate's faction-specific rocket launcher, the equivalent to the T2 Striker and  Lancer VS22. The unique mechanic of the Phoenix is its TV-guided missile, allowing the Heavy Assault to control the missile directly, from a camera inside its nose, rather than the missile being automatically guided in another fashion.

Thanks to the Phoenix's high direct-hit damage and incredible accuracy, the launcher lends itself greatly to strategic play, a small squad of Phoenix-equipped Heavy Assaults able to quickly take out important stationary targets from behind cover such as Sunderers. In exchange, the launcher is less comfortable in close-quarters combat or in use against mobile targets.

Mechanics
The NC15 Phoenix has a several unique mechanics of note, as compared to other rocket launchers.
 * Although the Phoenix has a fast reload time, it cannot start the reload animation if the user is guiding the missile.
 * It is possible to start reloading before the previous missile has hit by 'leaving' the missile ( by default), however, doing this will break the user's control and cause the missile to fall down rather than continue flying.
 * The missile will take over the player's controls, and uses the player's mouse axis to control. The player is completely vulnerable whilst controlling the missile.
 * The missile is not completely invulnerable, like nearly all other rockets. If fired at the missile can be 'destroyed' causing it to veer wildly off course, normally into the ground.
 * The NC15 Phoenix has a strict range limit of 295 meters from the launching Heavy Assault, and will explode immediately upon leaving this range.
 * If the missile remains within that range, it has a lifespan of 12 seconds before automatically detonating.
 * The missile can be controlled in first or third person. It defaults to first person, but can be switched to third person with the appropriate hotkey ( by default).

Ribbons and Medals
It is possible to earn both Ribbons and Medals while using the. Each ribbon is a standard reward for achieving a set amount of kills with the rocket launcher. Medals are awarded upon reaching kill milestones with the weapon.

History

 * Game Update Number 6 (2013-04-03)
 * Empire-Specific Rocket Launchers
 * Fix for the Phoenix dumb-firing if fired quickly after entering iron sights
 * Game Update Number 9 (2013-05-23)
 * Fixed an exploit that allowed the NC15 Phoenix from being reloaded while the player is still controlling the rocket
 * Performance Update Number 2 (2013-12-07)
 * Reload speed is now faster at 4.7 seconds, down from 5.2 seconds.
 * August 29, 2014 Update
 * VR Room: NC15 Phoenix missile pass through dummies.
 * July 8, 2016 Hotfix
 * NC15 Phoenix should no longer stop after traveling 150m.
 * October 24, 2016 Update
 * Projectile now detonates, instead of disappears, when its lifespan ends without impact
 * Steering the projectile in flight should now be a bit easier
 * You may now access third person view while in flight
 * Adjusted hipfire view model to cover less of the screen
 * Projectile lifespan from 8 to 12 seconds
 * Top speed from 150m/s to 130m/s
 * September 26, 2017 Update (Critical Mass) / (Undocumented Changes)
 * Direct damage now uses Rocket Launcher resistance (was previously Phoenix)
 * Ammo capacity from 5 to 12
 * Reload speed from 4.7 seconds 3.43 seconds
 * Direct damage from 750 to 875
 * Blast inner damage from 100 to 75
 * Blast outer damage from 1 to 25
 * Inside max radius from 2 to 0.35
 * Inside min radius from 5 to 4
 * Hip-fire min standing CoF from 3 to 5
 * Hip-fire min crouching CoF from 2.5 to 5
 * Hip-fire min crouch-walking CoF from 3 to 5
 * January 4, 2018 Hotfix
 * NC15 Phoenix should no longer auto-reload while in-flight, or show the incorrect screen overlay.
 * June 28, 2018 Update (Summer Overwhelming)
 * Firing a NC15 Phoenix from a vehicle will no longer crash the player's client.
 * June 17, 2020 Update (Enter: Colossus)
 * Phoenix Missiles will no longer sometimes advertise the game while in flight.
 * December 16, 2020 Update (Auraximas 2020)
 * Standardized minimum blast radius of 0.35m to 0.5m. Impacted weapons below.
 * Dev Note: The changes here are closer to cleanup, as its impact on damage output is miniscule.