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1 Overview
The Beam Gate (also known as 'Transporter') and Key Sector are the main strategic gameplay elements in the single-player mode that is used to finish each mission. Controlling a Beam Gate sector and all its component Key Sectors will open that Beam Gate. Then, the user can teleport their host station over the active Beam Gate to exit the level and complete it.
Open Beam Gates will have active energy barriers around their quad-transport pillars to indicate their active status. Beam Gates can also transport friendly units along the host station, and have total energy capacity indicated by the numbers appearing on the Map screen. The energy capacity determines how much units the player can beam out based on costs.
In single-player campaign mode, the fundamental objective of each level is exiting the level by capturing a Beam Gate and all its Key Sectors. Therefore, it is not necessary to destroy all enemy presence in each level to finish it. However, destroying each enemy host station increases the total Beam Gate energy capacity for the player to beam out with more units.
Beam Gate and Key Sector are not present in multiplayer levels, where the main objective is to destroy all the opponents in the match. Also, some single-player levels contain multiple Beam Gates with separate sets of Key Sector components.
More information about Beam Gate and Key Sector mechanisms can be found at the official Urban Assault Help files.
2 Beam Gate
The Beam Gate (also known as 'Transporter') is a highly advanced method of transportation system that utilises massive energy to allow connections between distant energy rich domed-cities found around the globe in the UA universe.
The Beam Gate plays a crucial role in the gameplay, as it is used to transport the player out of the current region, and consequently into newly unlocked levels so they can progress further into a single-player campaign. In single-player, the main objective of each level is to open a Beam Gate by conquering all Beam Gate Key Sectors, and beam out of the level. In multiplayer, Beam Gate is absent. Where the objective is to destroy all the other opponents in the level.
The Beam Gate appears as a large blue arrow symbol on the map window. The Beam Gate sector consists of uniquely distinguishable Quad-Transport-Pillars, which will generate a visible blue electric energy field when the gate is open and functional. A Beam Gate requires controlling all of its Key Sectors before it can be activated.
3 Key Sectors
The Key Sectors are specially designated primary strategic target sectors as well as the essential objective components that are required to open a Beam Gate. The player must capture and hold these sectors to open a Beam Gate in the level. If there are multiple Beam Gates present in a level, different Beam Gates may require different sets of Key Sectors to activate them.
The Key Sectors appear as a splashing red symbol on the map window. Unlike the Beam Gate sector, the sector types and properties of key sectors vary greatly between the missions; but they always invariably represent strategically significant objective sectors in the mission where the player must maintain their zone of control before leaving the area.
4 Mechanics
To activate the Beam Gate, the player must capture and hold all Beam Gate Key Sectors that can be located throughout the level.
Alongside the player's host station, the Beam Gate can also transport player's vehicles into the next level. However, there is an energy capacity for Beam Gate which determines how many vehicles can be transported. By default, the energy capacity value is 1000 in the original campaign. In the Metropolis Dawn expansion, the value is 1300.
The energy capacity of Beam Gate can be increased by destroying enemy host stations. Each enemy host station destroyed by the player's faction's units will increase the Beam Gate energy capacity by +100. However, if a host station is destroyed by the other factions, through a Stoudson Bomb, or energy drain from hostile power sources, the energy capacity bonus will not be granted.
5 Technical Details
- Up to total 8 Beam Gates can be placed in a level script. (Extended in OpenUA.)
- Up to total 16 Key Sectors can be assigned per Beam Gate in a level script. (Extended in OpenUA.)
6 Notes
Coming soon.
7 Trivia
Coming soon.