War Machine Rework
- A one man army. Has the most powerful Mark II armor. An amazing all-rounder.
- ―Inventory Description
- A one man army. Utilizes an exoskeleton to shoot 2 miniguns and launch missiles.
- ―Former Inventory Description
- ...and so he left, with everything but his humanity..
- ―Former Inventory Description
Description
The War Machine is a hardcore tower that has 3 special modes. Base Mode is similar to the original version before the rework. Although it cannot be healed by Medic's ability. Support Mode is gained at Level 2. It is where War Machine gives range and firerate buffs but, in return of lesser DPS. It is the only mode where it can be buffed by other support towers except other War Machine Support Mode. Power Mode is gained at Level 4. It is the most offensive mode. It switches its attack to only shoot Missiles, but it has lower range and cannot be buffed by other forms of support. Gives towers flat out damage buff.
The War Machine Power and Support Mode are only limited to 2 towers. After putting 2 towers at their respective modes, it is only available at Base Mode. Also, it cannot change in between modes while its in Power or Support mode.
The War Machine is considered an all-round tower because of it's somewhat cheap placement cost. Balanced DPS throughout all stages of the game. It gives a bunch of buffs that can synergize on other towers with it's Support Mode. Also buffs towers with flat damage buff and insane high DPS on Power Mode.
The War Machine has different upgrade costs with Support and Power Mode.
The War Machine has a placement limit of three per player, and a global limit of nine.
Upgrades
+3 Range 
0.158 > 0.148 Firerate 
Sell Price changes to
+1 Damage 
+1 Range
•20 Damage 
•4 Missile Reload
•5 Explosion Range 
Sell Price changes to
+3 Damage
+1 Range
0.148 > 0.128 Firerate
+Hidden Detection 
+10 Damage
• Grants the ability to switch to Support Mode, with cheaper upgrades in return with better buffs but less offensive power.
• Cannot switch back at any time.
Sell Price changes to
+7 Damage
+1 Range
•30x4 Damage
•4 Missile Reload
•6 Explosion Range
• Grants the ability to switch to Power Mode, with expensive costs but, only shoots missiles and gives flat damage buffs.
• Cannot switch back at any time.
Sell Price changes to
+10 Damage
+1 Range
•4 > 3.5 Missile Reload
Sell Price changes to
+2 Range
0.128 > 0.108 Firerate
•35x4 Damage
•3.5 > 2.5 Missile Reload
Sell Price changes to
+2 Damage
+2 Range
•40x4 Damage
•2.5 > 2 Missile Reload
•6 Explosion Range
Sell Price changes to
+3 Damage
0.128 > 0.108 Firerate
•25x4 Damage
•4.5 Missile Reload
•6 Explosion Range
•+2 Range
Sell Price changes to
+4 Damage
+2 Range
+2 Buff Range 
•+10% Firerate
•+1 Range > +2 Range
Sell Price changes to
+3 Damage
+2 Range
•30x4 Damage
•4.5 > 3 Missile Reload
•+10% > +15% Firerate
•+2 Range > +3 Range
Sell Price changes to
+3 Damage
0.108 > 0.088 Firerate
+3 Range
•3 > 2.5 Missile Reload
•+15% > -0.025s Firerate
•+3 Range > +4 Range
Sell Price changes to
Removed Normal Damage
•75x4 Damage
0.128 > 0.158 Firerate
+2 Explosion Range
•4.5 > 1 Missile Reload
+3 Damage 
Sell Price changes to
+2 Range
•90x8 Damage
+2 Explosion Range
0.158 > 0.128 Firerate
+3 > +4 Damage
Sell Price changes to
+4 Buff Range
•125x8 Damage
•1 > 0.45 Missile Reload
+2 Explosion Range
+4 Range > +5 Damage
Sell Price changes to
Stats Table
| Base Mode Stats | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Total Price | Normal Damage | Splash Damage[2] | Firerate | Missile Reload | Range | Explosion Range | DPS[3] |
| 0 | |
1 | N/A | 0.158 | N/A | 12 | N/A | 6.32 |
| 1 | |
1 | N/A | 0.148 | N/A | 15 | N/A | 6.75 |
| 2 | |
2 | 20 | 0.148 | 4 | 16 | 5 | 18.51[4] |
| 3 | |
5 | 30 | 0.128 | 4 | 17 | 5 | 46.56[5] |
| 4 | |
12 | 30x4 | 0.128 | 4 | 18 | 6 | 123.75[6] |
| 5 | |
22 | 30x4 | 0.128 | 3.5 | 19 | 6 | 206.15[7] |
| 6 | |
22 | 35x4 | 0.108 | 2.5 | 21 | 6 | 259.7[8] |
| 7 | |
24 | 40x4 | 0.108 | 2 | 23 | 7.5 | 302.22[9] |
| Support Mode Stats | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Total Price | Firerate Buff | Range Buff | Normal Damage | Splash Damage[10] | Firerate | Missile Reload | Range | Explosion Range | Buff Range | DPS[11] |
| 4 | |
N/A | +1 | 8 | 25x4 | 0.108 | 4.5 | 17 | 6 | 8 | 96.29[12] |
| 5 | |
10% | +2 | 12 | 25x4 | 0.108 | 4.5 | 19 | 6 | 10 | 133.33[13] |
| 6 | |
15% | +3 | 15 | 30x4 | 0.108 | 3 | 19 | 6 | 10 | 178.88[14] |
| 7 | |
-0.025 | +4 | 18 | 30x4 | 0.088 | 2.5 | 22 | 6 | 14 | 241.18[15] |
| Power Mode Stats | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Total Price | Damage Buff | Splash Damage[16] | Firerate[17] | Missile Reload | Range | Explosion Range | Buff Range | DPS[18] |
| 5 | |
+3 | 75x4 | 0.158 | 1 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 183.82 |
| 6 | |
+4 | 90x8 | 0.128 | 1 | 20 | 8 | 10 | 355.73 |
| 7 | |
+5 | 125x8 | 0.128 | 0.45 | 20 | 12 | 14 | 678.42 |
Strategy
- War Machine can be an extremely powerful asset to your loadout throughout the entire game, being able to work well in all stages of the game.
- The War Machine cost efficiency is above average all around, so it mostly does not matter which level you are going for.
- War Machine is extremely expensive, so it is recommended you bring either Farm, Cowboy, or bring both to afford it alongside other expensive towers you may have on your loadout.
- Base Mode is the most consistent out all the forms, having the highest range compared to the other modes, but does not benefit your towers in any way.
- Support Mode has the least amount of DPS but can give your towers a firerate and flat range buff. This works well when paired with DJ Booth and Commander.
- Support Mode can also heavily benefit towers who struggle with their low range, like Gladiator and Warden, and towers who can fire slowly like Ranger. Unfortunately, Support mode is partially useless with Ranger, as the range of the tower is already massive it can cover most of the map, although it can buff its firerate.
- There are multiple towers that cannot be affected by its firerate buff:
| Firerate Buff [19] | |
|---|---|
| Tower | Status |
| Scout | Affected |
| Sniper | Affected |
| Paintballer | Affected |
| Demoman | Affected |
| Hunter | Affected |
| Soldier | Unaffected |
| Militant | Affected |
| Medic | Affected |
| Freezer | Affected |
| Farm | N/A |
| Shotgunner | Affected |
| Military Base | Partial[20] |
| Rocketeer | Affected |
| Trapper | Unaffected |
| Ace Pilot | Unaffected |
| Pyromancer | Unaffected |
| Crook Boss | Partial[21] |
| Electroshocker | Affected |
| Commander | Partial[22] |
| Warden | Affected |
| Cowboy | Affected |
| DJ Booth | Unaffected |
| Minigunner | Unaffected |
| Ranger | Affected |
| Turret | Unaffected |
| Mortar | Affected |
| Pursuit | Affected |
| Mercenary Base | Partial[23] |
| Brawler | Affected |
| Accelerator | Unaffected |
| Engineer | Partial[24] |
| Gladiator | Affected |
| Commando | Affected |
| Slasher | Affected |
| Frost Blaster | Affected |
| Archer | Partial[25] |
| Swarmer | Partial[26] |
| Toxic Gunner | Partial[27] |
| Sledger | Affected |
| Executioner | Affected |
| Elf Camp | Unaffected |
| Necromancer | Partial[28] |
| Jester | Partial[29] |
| Cryomancer | Unaffected |
| War Machine | Unaffected |
| Mecha Base | Unaffected |
- Power Mode has the highest DPS and splash radius, making it a great option when dealing with hordes or high HP enemies. However, do keep in mind that Power mode lacks consistency thanks to it's much shorter range along with the lack of hidden detection, and being unable to be buffed.
- Power Mode also gives out a flat damage buff, and like Support mode, heavily benefits towers like Minigunner, Turret and Accelerator, you can also further buff the damage of these towers heavily with Mercenary Base, DJ Booth and Damage Flags.
- There are multiple towers that cannot be affected by its damage buff:
| Damage Buff | |
|---|---|
| Tower | Status |
| Scout | Affected |
| Sniper | Affected |
| Paintballer | Affected |
| Demoman | Affected |
| Hunter | Affected |
| Soldier | Affected |
| Militant | Affected |
| Medic | Affected |
| Freezer | Affected |
| Farm | N/A |
| Shotgunner | Affected |
| Military Base | Partial[30] |
| Rocketeer | Affected |
| Trapper | Unaffected |
| Ace Pilot | Affected |
| Pyromancer | Partial[31] |
| Crook Boss | Partial[32] |
| Electroshocker | Affected |
| Commander | Partial[33] |
| Warden | Partial[34] |
| Cowboy | Affected |
| DJ Booth | Unaffected |
| Minigunner | Partial[35] |
| Ranger | Affected |
| Turret | Partial[36] |
| Mortar | Affected |
| Pursuit | Affected |
| Mercenary Base | Partial[37] |
| Brawler | Partial[38] |
| Accelerator | Partial[39] |
| Engineer | Partial[40] |
| Gladiator | Affected |
| Commando | Affected |
| Slasher | Affected |
| Frost Blaster | Affected |
| Archer | Partial[41] |
| Swarmer | Partial[42] |
| Toxic Gunner | Partial[43] |
| Sledger | Partial[44] |
| Executioner | Affected |
| Elf Camp | Unaffected |
| Necromancer | Partial[45] |
| Jester | Partial[46] |
| Cryomancer | Partial[47] |
| War Machine | Unaffected |
| Mecha Base | Unaffected |
Statistical Overview
Pro
- High DPS on all forms.
- Able to heavily benefit most of your towers.
- Amazing synergy with the already existing support towers (DJ and Commander).
- Can handle hordes and single target scenarios.
- Relatively cheap early on.
- Good utility and is very versatile.
Mid
- Cost efficiency is moderately at best.
Con
- Has low DPS when totaled up compared to other DPS towers such Engineer and Accelerator.
- Highly expensive outside of Support mode.
- Both Support and Power mode's benefits are useless on towers like Minigunner, Turret, Accelerator, and many others.
- Needs to adapt to weird tower synergies in order to make the buffs worth.
- Each mode has a large disadvantage.
- Obtainment costs a kidney and a liver.
Trivia
- The War Machine's appearance and some of its mechanics appear to have been based on an Exoskeleton tower suggestion from the Tower Defense Simulator Discord server.
- However, the name of the War Machine and its Level 2 upgrade are references to the War Machine from Marvel.
- The War Machine's original description was a reference to Risk of Rain 2, specifically the Commando's old ending phrase.
- Currently, the War Machine has the most expensive upgrade cost in the game.
- If you exclude exclusive towers, the Turret both has the highest upgrade cost and is the most expensive tower to fully upgrade.
- After the Overhaul Update, the War Machine gained 12 damage on Level 2, giving it 13 damage, thus giving it an absurd 104 DPS for just
- This got fixed a few days after the Frost Invasion Update.
- The Level 5 Power Mode upgrade icon is stolen from one of the creators past work. Which is from Fallen Obliterator in TDS Fanmade Wiki.
- The Level 5 Upgrade name is also a nod to the past work of Mosquito.
- War Machine's modes are considered as an "early version" of split paths.
Other Reworks
- Hunter Rework
- Hardcore Mode Rework
- Necromancer Rework
- End of the Beginning (Challenge)
- War Machine Rework
Notes
- ↑ Through splash damage, flying enemies may be hit indirectly if another detectable enemy is nearby, but War Machine from this tower can never directly target flying enemies.
- ↑ Number is the damage dealt in the inner explosion sphere. Splash damage is decreased linearly if the enemy is in the outer explosion sphere.
- ↑ Total DPS is calculated as Normal DPS + Missile DPS.
Missile DPS assumes only one enemy is hit with all missiles and it receives full splash damage. - ↑ 13.51 Normal DPS + 5 Missile DPS
- ↑ 39.06 Normal DPS + 7.5 Missile DPS
- ↑ 93.75 Normal DPS + 30 Missile DPS
- ↑ 171.87 Normal DPS + 34.28 Missile DPS
- ↑ 203.7 Normal DPS + 56 Missile DPS
- ↑ 222.22 Normal DPS + 80 Missile DPS
- ↑ Number is the damage dealt in the inner explosion sphere. Splash damage is decreased linearly if the enemy is in the outer explosion sphere.
- ↑ Total DPS is calculated as Normal DPS + Missile DPS.
Missile DPS assumes only one enemy is hit with all missiles and it receives full splash damage. - ↑ 74.07 Normal DPS + 22.22 Missile DPS
- ↑ 111.11 Normal DPS + 22.22 Missile DPS
- ↑ 138.88 Normal DPS + 40 Missile DPS
- ↑ 193.18 Normal DPS + 48 Missile DPS
- ↑ Number is the damage dealt in the inner explosion sphere. Splash damage is decreased linearly if the enemy is in the outer explosion sphere.
- ↑ Firerate only applies to the burst and is not the time between bursts.
- ↑ DPS is calculated as (Splash Damage × Missile Count) ÷ (Missile Cooldown + (Firerate × Missile Count)).
- ↑ Only applies to the Max Level (Support Mode)
- ↑ Only the Mounted Gun is decreased.
- ↑ Unit firerate is not affected.
- ↑ Gunner APC firerate is not affected.
- ↑ Only Rifleman has decreased firerate.
- ↑ Unit firerate is not affected.
- ↑ Burn tick is not increased.
- ↑ Bee tick is not increased.
- ↑ Poison tick is not increased.
- ↑ Unit firerate is not affected.
- ↑ Poison and burn tick is not increased.
- ↑ Only splash damage damage is increased.
- ↑ Burn damage is not affected.
- ↑ Unit damage is not affected.
- ↑ Gunner APC damage is not affected.
- ↑ Increase for the crit damage is the same as regular damage.
- ↑ Buff is halved to combat consistent fast-firing towers
- ↑ Buff is halved to combat consistent fast-firing towers
- ↑ Only Grenadier has increased damage.
- ↑ Final hit damage is only increased by the same amount as regular damage. Reposition damage is not affected.
- ↑ Buff is halved to combat consistent fast-firing towers
- ↑ Regular unit damage is not affected.
- ↑ Burn damage is not increased.
- ↑ Bee damage is not increased.
- ↑ Poison damage is not increased.
- ↑ Increase for the freeze bonus damage is the same as regular damage.
- ↑ Unit damage is not affected.
- ↑ Poison and burn damage is not increased.
- ↑ Chillness damage is not increased.