DRG: Do Explosions Hit Weak Spots? Autocannon Guide

Combat Summary

• Explosive damage in Deep Rock Galactic does not benefit from Weak Spots. Explosions hit the enemy’s main hitbox, dealing full listed damage without a weak point multiplier.
• This means your Autocannon (and other AoE weapons) are excellent for clearing large groups, but direct hits are still crucial for high-priority targets’ weak points.
• For the Autocannon without Overclocks, prioritize area denial, crowd control, and sustained damage modifications over weak point bonuses.

Management keeps the finer points of damage calculations under wraps, but direct observation confirms: explosions behave differently. Forget what the rookies are spewing – raw explosive damage hits like a pile driver, but it doesn’t care if it’s hitting a Glyphid Grunt’s face or its backside. It’s about saturation, not precision, for true explosive impact. Understanding this is key to mastering your Autocannon and any other explosive Weapon Guide.

Explosion Mechanics Explained

When an explosion occurs in Hoxxes IV, be it from a grenade, a Driller’s C4, or your Autocannon’s splash, the damage calculation bypasses specific Weak Spots. Instead, it applies its full damage value to all eligible hitboxes within its radius. This is a fundamental aspect of DRG Mechanics. This means enemies with exposed weak points, like the glowing sac on a Praetorian, will still take the base explosion damage, but they won’t suffer the extra multiplier typically associated with hitting that vulnerable spot directly. For your Gunner Tips, remember this for maximum efficiency: primary fire for weak points, explosives for crowds.

Autocannon: Modding for Area Denial

Given that your Autocannon without Overclocks won’t leverage Weak Spots with its explosions, focus its modifications on raw damage, area of effect, and sustained fire. Prioritize mods that increase area damage, reduce spin-up time, or improve accuracy for hitting critical targets. Think of your Autocannon as a mobile turret for crowd suppression. Maximize its ability to cover choke points and shred through wave after wave of Glyphids. The goal is to maximize the number of enemies you’re hitting with each shot, ensuring a constant stream of suppressed and eliminated targets. This forms a core part of effective Gunner Tips.

When Weak Spots Still Matter

While the explosive component of your weapons doesn’t benefit from Weak Spots, any direct bullet damage still does. For the Autocannon, this means that if your projectiles impact an enemy’s weak point, that direct hit portion of the damage will be multiplied. The splash damage, however, will not. This is particularly relevant for enemies with clearly defined weak points, where a precise stream of fire can quickly eliminate them. Always assess the target: swarms get explosions, high-health threats get focused direct fire. Mastering this balance is crucial for any miner, a key element of DRG Mechanics and effective Weapon Guide utilization of Explosion Mechanics.