Part 24

Unreal Tournament 2004 guide to the Orbital Ion Cannon Satellite (Ion Painter) and Redeemer superweapons. Learn their secondary fire modes, tactics for DM, CTF, and ONS, and how to destroy Power Nodes.

Orbital Ion Cannon Satellite (Ion Painter)

The Ion Painter's primary fire is lethal, with explosions capable of killing players even at the edge of the blast radius. However, damage is only applied if ground zero is visible. Its secondary fire mode operates a scope, similar to the Lightning Gun and Classic Sniper Rifle scopes.

Tactics for Ion Painter:

• Deathmatch (DM): Generally not recommended due to the difficulty of finding suitable situations and the vulnerability of standing still to aim.
• Capture the Flag (CTF), Domination (DOM), Big Ball (BR): Can be effective for clearing defenders from key areas or intercepting flag/ball carriers. However, its effectiveness is limited in maps with indoor or cavernous areas.
• Onslaught (ONS): This is where the Ion Painter truly shines. Unlike the Target Painter (easily dodged) and Redeemer (easily shot down), the Ion Painter delivers immediate damage and can significantly weaken or destroy Power Nodes. It is best used against Nodes rather than players or vehicles (except the Leviathan). Aim at the base of the Node, not the hologram. Coordinate with your team for support and ensure you have a way to finish off weakened Nodes.

Redeemer

The Redeemer is the most powerful weapon in Unreal Tournament 2004, firing a hand-held nuclear missile. It deals terminal damage to players and 1200 damage to vehicles. It has a single ammo per shot, a maximum of 1 ammo, and cannot be charged. Its special features include being a projectile, detonating on contact, being destructible by enemy fire, having powerful knockback, an infinite fuse, splash damage, and being a superweapon.

Primary Fire Mode (Redeemer):

The primary fire launches a Redeemer missile that travels in a straight line until impact or destruction. Once fired, control of the missile is relinquished. If shot down by enemy fire, it deals no damage.

Tactics for Redeemer:

• DM and Team Deathmatch (TDM): Generally not ideal due to scarcity and difficulty in finding the right situation. Self-inflicted or team kills are common. A direct missile is preferable to avoid leaving oneself open.
• CTF, DOM, BR: More useful for defense, stopping enemy carriers, or nuking your own goal. However, the missile's slow speed makes hitting moving targets difficult. A guided missile from a good vantage point is often safer. For offense, a direct missile can clear out defenders when fired around corners. Coordinate with your team.
• ONS: Capable of destroying full-health Power Nodes and multiple vehicles. However, the large, open maps make the slow missile vulnerable. Players often opt for direct missiles fired at close range. Strategies include flying high in a Raptor, bailing, and firing the missile from above to reduce travel time, or sneaking close to enemy Nodes/Cores to fire directly.