Countermeasures

Mines aren't especially interesting in the single-player game, but can sure be a delight to use against fellow human players in a heated multiplayer game. A well-placed gunboy, seeker mine, or proximity mine can provide the edge to overtake your fellow Descent pilots in a long deathmatch.

Gunboy

Drop off some gunboys to assist you in large room firefights.

Acting like a laser-equipped pal, the gunboy is a stationary mine that can be dropped into any room or situation; the gunboy will assist your efforts by firing at enemy bots or human players, with or without you around. In large firefights with enemy bots or players, unleash a gunboy to provide assistance, though he'll most likely only be a distraction. However, usually any help is welcome, especially against skilled human foes.

In multiplayer games, hide the gunboy in frequently visited areas or deep in a corner of the room so it remains undetected until a human player has entered the area, perhaps to collect the goodie that sometimes respawns. Nothing's much more humiliating then being killed by another player's gunboy (expect plenty of ridiculing and laughing).

Bouncing Betty

Drop some bouncing Betties at an unsuspecting foe.

Mines that bounce unpredictably are tough to fight against, especially when they are headed straight for your own ship. More effective in tight rooms or tunnels, the bouncing Betty causes plenty of confusion and panic as the player tries to figure out a way to avoid the unpredictable bouncing. A good way to catch your human opponent off guard is to turn around and drop some at a player chasing you. Likely, there won't be much time to avoid the troublesome mines, and you'll likely score a satisfying kill. Drop the bouncing Betties into filled rooms and watch the occupied human players yell and moan as the Betties take them down.

Next: Countermeasures (cont.)