Rocket launcher (Doom 3)



The rocket launcher of Doom 3 is a powerful weapon that is first found halfway through the single-player campaign. Unlike the Classic Doom rocket launcher, it loads from a 5 rocket clip, which limits it's ability to barrage, especially in combination with a slower rate of fire compared to the classic Rocket Launcher. Like the earlier version, it carries highly-explosive rockets and reloads fairly quickly. The rockets travel only slighter faster then the plasma rifle, but their effects are much more devestating; a single rocket can kill, even gib, a half dozen zombies grouped together.

As in Classic Doom, short range combat is dangerous if not suicidal, especially near ledges, since the blowback effect is much stronger from the rockets then before. Medium range combat is where it best works it's own special magic, using the physics engine to send enemies flying, oftentimes in several pieces. The slow speed of the rockets make long range combat difficult, unless it's being used against a big, slow moving target. Like rockets from the demons, your own rockets can be intercepted with weapons fire, though this rarely happens save by coincidence.

In single player the weapon is most effective against hell knights, though it can also be used in enclosed spaces successfully on Cacodemons, Revenants, and Commandos, though tentacle Commandos tend to dodge it, and Chaingun Commandos can also dodge, but not if in the middle of firing. Perhaps the most effective use of it is to kill the Sarge in his tank form; as the door opens, empty a clip of rockets into him. After reloading, simply use a fully charged soulcube, and you'll send him back to Hell in under 20 seconds.

While it provides only minimal blowback in Single Player for rocket jumps, in Multiplayer it makes a useful, if health-draining height booster for your jumps.