After last week’s introduction to special weapons, how they work, and what types of weapons you can expect in MENACE, this week we will give you an introduction to another kind of item class.
Accessories.
Accessories
Accessories can be used to equip squads with special items, abilities, skills, and so on. They are equipped in the troop loadout screen like all other equipment items, and also cost supplies.
They occupy their own slot in the squad's inventory so that they won't interfere with the rest of your equipment choices, like weapons and armor.
How many accessories a squad can equip depends mainly on the type of armor they are wearing, but the amount can also be increased through special perks.
Not only can infantry squads be equipped with accessories, but vehicles can also be equipped with them. In this case, the amount of vehicle accessories you can equip depends on the vehicle chassis.
Note that vehicle accessories are distinct from infantry accessories.
Accessory items can have a very wide variety of effects. They can apply a passive buff or give an active skill. Some have a limited number of uses per mission, while others can be used as often as you want. They open up another layer of customization and specialization when setting up your units, and they can be used to emphasize their strengths further or mitigate their weaknesses.
Here is a selection of various infantry accessories to give you an idea of what to expect. New items will be added regularly throughout the Early Access period.
Infantry Accessories
Frag Grenades
These can be used to attack another tile over close range. They come with three uses.
Attacking another unit with grenades ignores cover and can hit multiple elements within a squad. Also, you don't need a direct line of sight. That's why they are especially useful in confined spaces with lots of cover, like urban areas, and against enemies with numerous elements in a squad, like pirate scavengers or alien swarms.
They even ignore cover of units in buildings, which makes them ideal to use against enemies holed up in bunkers or defensive structures - if you can get close enough without getting mowed down.
Downsides are very low armor penetration and the limited range.
Ammo Bag
The ammo bag increases a squad’s special weapon uses by 50% with a minimum of 2 uses. When equipping multiple ammo bags, the effect only applies to the base uses of a weapon. Only applies to weapons, not to other accessories, such as grenades.
Disposable AT Launcher
This launcher is a cheap way to equip a squad with anti-tank capabilities without blocking the special weapon slot. As it only has one use, it might make sense to equip multiple launchers.
In a pinch, it can also be used to remove enemy cover or engage heavily armored units. It won’t destroy a tank and has a very limited range, but it is still very effective against lighter vehicles. To make the most of it, ensure that you hit enemy hardware from the side or rear, where their armor is weakest. 
Smoke Grenades
An essential item in many different situations. Comes with limited uses like all grenades. When used, it deploys a cloud of smoke that completely blocks the line of sight, which can be very useful when assaulting fortified positions or when you find yourself out of position.
Armor Plates
Additional armor plates that can be inserted into most standard body armor to replace damaged plates. Using this item will refill your squad’s armor durability. Comes with only one use. This, of course, is especially useful for armor with high durability to maximize its effect.
Demolition Charge
An explosive charge that can be placed on adjacent tiles. Once set up, it can be remotely triggered at any time with a remote detonator to cause a devastating explosion that affects multiple tiles (Area of Effect, AOE) and easily brings down buildings, as well as heavily armored vehicles. Using this item to its full effect needs some planning ahead.
The explosion radius will catch your squad if you try to place and detonate it in the same turn. It’s also tricky to set it up in a way that enemies will move on top of it, but when it works out, you can expect spectacular results.
Target Designator
This Accessory has unlimited uses and can mark an enemy infantry squad, vehicle, or building for the duration of 2 turns. The marked status persists even if the target moves out of sight. Specific off-map abilities and guided weapons can only engage marked targets. Other weapons can employ a different fire mode when engaging marked targets, such as indirect firing. All attacks on marked targets have their accuracy increased. 
Armor Piercing Ammo
Only one “ammo” type accessory can be equipped at the same time. The effect only applies to projectile squad weapons (special weapons remain unaffected). Armor-piercing rounds are fitted with hardened alloy material tips to defeat body armor. The increased hardness of the round allows it to penetrate targets without tumbling or fragmenting, thereby reducing flesh damage. As it is commonly painted black, this ammo is also referred to as “Black Tip”
S12 Aphenedrin Injector
Also colloquially referred to as “combat drugs”. A cocktail of stimulants that reduces feelings of fear, exhaustion, and pain to maintain combat effectiveness. It comes with 2 uses and completely removes a squad's suppression. It can also be used when a team is completely pinned down, effectively putting the squad back into action right away.
Additionally, the unit's discipline increases for one turn. All types of stimulants will cause negative effects for a turn once their buff wears off. On top of that, frequent use of combat drugs can lead to negative emotional states or signs of withdrawal. 
Protagon IR Tablets
A highly concentrated drug cocktail often mixed with various additives that instantly boost all aspects of physical performance. The heavy boost of this drug makes it especially addictive, but that did not stop it from becoming the go-to drug of Space Pirates on the edge. Using this item grants the unit an additional turn, with 50% of its action points remaining. 
Night Vision Equipment
A set of night vision devices, enabling the squad to operate in low-light conditions. Nighttime penalties do not apply to this squad. The buff is passive and remains in effect for the entire mission. This item is a very basic version that only covers night vision, not thermal imaging or other advanced ways of detecting enemy activity.
Engage, Explore, and Stay Informed
That's it for now! We'll see you next Friday.
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