Volcanoids – Best Counter to Tesla Turrets

Here are various methods you can employ to effectively deal with Tesla turrets. The data provided is based on the Hard difficulty setting.

Non-projectile fire

• Accessibility: Easy
• Effectiveness: Low

This method involves shooting the turret with light firearms since Tesla turrets cannot intercept light projectiles. However, light firearms are weak, and focusing on the turret while being attacked by other enemies can leave you vulnerable. You can try backing up and shooting from outside the turret’s range, but be cautious of ambushers.

Pros:

• Cheap ammunition
• Can be done outside the turret’s effective range

Cons:

• Slow progress
• Vulnerability to other enemies

Battle drones

• Accessibility: Medium
• Effectiveness: Low to High

By constructing modules that fabricate drones, you can call in drones equipped with non-projectile weapons (e.g., Rattlesnake) to engage the turret directly. This method allows you to fight other enemies while the drone targets the turret. However, the drone’s AI may sometimes choose a different target, and if there are many enemies, the drone can be quickly destroyed, making this strategy unreliable but potentially powerful.

Pros:

• High damage from weapons like Rattlesnake or Gatling Gun
• Automated once the drone is called

Cons:

• Requires surfacing the Drillship for drone functionality
• Drone AI may prioritize other targets
• Drones can be destroyed if overwhelmed by enemies

Melee + Support

• Accessibility: Medium
• Effectiveness: High

This strategy is reliable and can help you take down turrets consistently. Call a support drone next to the turret and approach the turret yourself, using the Drillship or terrain for cover. Utilize a melee weapon to grind down the turret, while the support drone provides healing. This method is particularly useful when facing many enemies that prevent the use of other weapons, as constant healing can make you nearly invincible. However, if the support drone is destroyed, you become vulnerable unless the turret is almost destroyed. You can mitigate this by creating additional support and turret drones.

Pros:

• No reliance on chance
• Grants access to the ship once the turret is destroyed (except for lasers)

Cons:

• Overwhelming numbers of enemies can pose a significant threat
• Requires significant resource investment and planning to address the first con

Hacking

• Accessibility: Difficult
• Effectiveness: Incredible

The “Hacking Tool” item, unlocked at T3 production or obtained as loot from T3 military tanks, allows you to manipulate enemy ship/laser modules. This challenging-to-obtain item proves effective against Tesla turrets. By holding the left mouse button for approximately 15 seconds, you can disable the turret.

Pros:

• Reliable
• Quick
• Can be done from a distance

Cons:

• Requires reaching the late game
• Overwhelming enemy numbers can pose a threat if not managed properly

Anti-Materiel Ammo

• Accessibility: Very difficult
• Effectiveness: Incredible

Anti-Material Ammo, introduced alongside Tesla turrets, is specifically designed to counter them. However, it requires significant resources, time investment, and becomes available fairly late in the game. This ammunition, along with the hacking device, serves as the primary means of destroying Tesla turrets.

Pros:

• Quick results
• Can be used from a considerable distance
• Reliable

Cons:

• Requires expensive ammunition
• Only accessible in the late game

Choose the method that suits your resources, progress, and playstyle to effectively eliminate Tesla turrets in the game.