Part 20

Learn how to effectively use the AVRiL (Anti Vehicle Rocket Launcher) in Unreal Tournament 2004's ONS mode, including its primary and secondary fire modes, damage stats, and vehicle-specific tactics.

The AVRiL (Anti Vehicle Rocket Launcher) is a powerful ONS-mode weapon in Unreal Tournament 2004. While it deals massive damage and rarely misses, it has counters and should be used with caution. The 'i' in AVRiL is for pronunciation and has no specific meaning. Its secondary fire mode is a special function with no statistics, and tactics often combine both fire modes.

Primary Fire Mode:

• Damage vs. People: 100
• Damage vs. Vehicles: 200
• Rate of Fire: 3/10s
• Ammo per Shot: 1
• Max. Ammo: 25
• Charge Time: N/A
• Special Features: projectile; knockback; detonates upon contact; unlimited fuse; homing; can lock on to enemy occupied vehicle; unlimited turning curve; requires lock to be maintained; can be shot down; splash damage

Knockback*: In addition to knocking opponents and vehicles back, the weapon has powerful recoil and will knock you back when you fire it.

Requires lock to be maintained**: You need to keep your crosshair on your target for the missile to home in.

The primary fire launches a single, slow-moving missile with a thick smoke trail. It also pushes the user backward and slightly upward. If not locked on or if lock is lost, the missile travels straight until it hits an obstacle. When locked, the missile homes in on the target, and lock can be acquired, lost, and reacquired. Any missiles in the air will turn to home in on a new target if lock is reacquired. The AVRiL missile has an unlimited turning curve, meaning it will never miss unless the target goes out of sight, out of range, or is destroyed. The missile leads the target, ensuring a hit on the first pass. A "Missile Lock" warning appears for the targeted player's vehicle as long as the crosshair is maintained on them and a missile is in flight. The warning disappears if the crosshair is removed and reappears if moved back over the enemy.

Secondary Fire Mode:

This mode makes it easier to maintain lock on fast-moving vehicles. When a lock is acquired on an enemy vehicle, holding the Secondary Fire button locks your view onto the vehicle, following its movements and slightly zooming in. The view unlocks if the button is released, or if the target goes out of sight, out of range, or is destroyed, causing missiles to lose lock as well.

Tactics:

The AVRiL is exclusively effective against vehicles; it is not recommended for use against players due to the missile's slow speed and the weapon's long reload time. Switch to another weapon if confronted by players. It is one of the best hand-held weapons against vehicles and can take down Raptors consistently. The "Missile Lock" warning can be circumvented by firing the missile in the target's general direction without locking on, and then acquiring lock when the missile is close. This is particularly effective against tanks and turrets.

Vs Manta: Acquire lock and fire. Mantas usually die in one hit. If the Manta is too close, dodge it first, then turn and fire. Always use Secondary Fire Mode against Mantas due to their speed.

Vs Scorpion: Similar to the Manta, but requires two missiles to destroy a new Scorpion. Scorpions move slower and turn less effectively than Mantas, making them easier to avoid. Double-jump over them if necessary. Firing a missile high into the air without lock and then targeting a Scorpion on the ground so the missile hits from above can kill the driver even if the Scorpion is not destroyed.