[03-03-11] Microwave Expander [Bullet]

Learn how to use the Microwave Expander in Duke Nukem 3D Atomic Edition! Discover its unique expand-and-explode mechanic and when to use this powerful weapon.

Alright, let's talk about a pretty unique weapon in the Atomic Edition: the Microwave Expander. It's not a standalone gun, mind you; it's actually an upgrade for the Shrink Ray. To switch to it, just hit your Shrink Ray key twice. You'll know it's ready when the crystal on the gun turns red. Keep in mind, you can't fire it if you're out of ammo, and its ammo looks like a little red crystal with a tiny satellite on it. Unlike the Shrink Ray, its ammo is separate.

At first glance, this gun might seem a bit odd, maybe even a little weak. It shoots fast, sure, but its small ammo capacity can be a real drag in a firefight. The good news is that when you do find ammo, you get a decent chunk of it. The real magic of the Microwave Expander is what happens when you kill an enemy with it. Instead of just dropping dead, they'll expand to fill their space and then, boom! They explode, taking out anything nearby in a small radius. This splash damage is super handy for clearing out groups of weaker enemies like Troopers, Pig Cops, and Enforcers. If you're swarmed, this thing is a lifesaver.

Here's a cool trick: if you manage to switch weapons while an enemy is in the middle of expanding, you can then blow them up with your new weapon. Even the Shrink Ray works here – an expanding enemy can't be shrunk, but they can definitely be detonated.

Weapon Stats:

• Damage: 15
• Weapon Pickup: +0
• Ammo Pickup: +20
• Max Capacity: 50

Enemy Types and Mechanics:

Duke Nukem 3D throws all sorts of nasty alien scum at you, and they all have their own tricks. You'll run into common enemies, the usual grunts, and boss enemies, the big baddies. Some enemies have special traits:

• Flying: These guys can move freely in the air and will chase you even if you're jetpacking.
• Mechanical: These tough nuts are immune to the Shrink Ray and won't expand when hit by the Microwave Expander. The Freezer gun also doesn't freeze them. However, both the Freezer and the Expander still do full damage to them.

When you're looking at an enemy's details, you'll see:

• HEALTH: How much damage they can take before kicking the bucket.
• DROP: Any items they might leave behind when they die.
• ATTACK(S): This tells you how they hit you.
• Projectile: They shoot stuff you can dodge.
• Bullet: Instant hit at close range, less effective from afar.
• Melee: They have to be right in your face to hit you.

Recommended Weapons: The game often suggests the best weapon to use against certain enemies and how many shots it'll take. Sometimes you'll see a tilde (~) before the number, meaning it's an approximate count due to some randomness in damage calculations.