Flares and Rockets

[doog1114]

I've got a couple questions regarding these. First off, what's the proper way to use flares? I know how to throw them, but when I throw them a bit outside of my sight radius it doesn't seem to reveal anything. I figured that was the point? Secondly, can you use rockets to blast through the side of a UFO?

[Commissar Pancakes]

Flares only light up an area, if you throw it farther than a solder's sight range, think of it as the regular fog-of-war during daytime.

No, rockets cannot blast through the side of a UFO.

[Max_Caine]

doog1114, this is probably worthwhile bringing up in the Ground Combat balance section in the beta. Judging from your post, you had no idea if they were working once they were outside of sight radius. You won't be the only one to think that!

[doog1114]

Thanks for the responses. Although, I'm still a bit confused. I was just playing around with flares during a mission and I see that it lights up a small area. Still, what is the purpose of this if I already see the enemy in that area? Do I get a bonus to accuracy?

[Sathra]

No, its just easier to target them, not to mention the aliens see further than you at night so it can even the odds somewhat.

I've had a few occasions where it almost seems to light up an area beyond view range though which was helpful. Need to move a bit to update it though (I prefer turning a bit on the spot till it updates).

[crusherven]

If you can already see them, you don't need the flare. They do help you see farther though. Usually I throw them out beyond where I can see, so I'm never scouting in the dark.

[Sathra]

I can never find the damn aliens with the cursor when my soldiers see them, so I use flares.

[Commissar Pancakes]

It's quite strange, that. Sometimes the cursor turns red and you're able to shoot them. Other times, it just says that nothing's there.