The Thumper is a ballistic explosive weapon used by the Technician class in Tribes: Ascend. It can be unlocked for 500 Gold or 88000 XP.
"The full-sized thumper gives technicians much needed stopping power indoors, as well as added maneuverability." In-game Description.
Operation
The Thumper fires explosive rounds in a short arc; much like the Thumper DX used by the Soldier class, only more powerful. The round detonates on impact and deals splash damage at close range. The round also has a time delay and will detonate in mid-air after 2 seconds. Because the Thumper fires in an arc, it is necessary to aim slightly above the intended target.
Tactics
The Thumper is ideal for use indoors, especially when used in concert with Radar Sensors, Motion Sensors, or Mines which can identify incoming enemies before the player can see them. This allows the Technician to target the Thumper quickly and keep enemy players away from the Generator or Flag.
For outdoor battles, the Thumper functions just like it's smaller counterpart the DX. It works well when fired from above the target as this minimizes the weapon's drop-off. It also has a faster reload speed than most Spinfusors, allowing the Technician to get off an extra shot periodically.
Trivia
- The Thumper was likely inspired by the real life M-79 Grenade Launcher.