The Bombardier is a ground-based ARC that calls in lethal mortar fire with help from Spotter drones. It tracks exposed Raiders, predicts movement, and can thread shells through narrow openings if you get complacent. It has no external armor plates, but it is still a top-tier threat that will punish static positions.
Where Bombardiers spawn (and how to set up the fight)
Bombardiers can appear across the Rust Belt, including Dam Battlegrounds, The Spaceport, Buried City, and Blue Gate. Community runs consistently report strong opportunities in Buried City and Spaceport, where rooftops, slotted windows, and multi-floor interiors give you cover and angles.
| Map region | Reliable spots reported | Positioning advice |
|---|---|---|
| Buried City | Plaza Rosa and surrounding blocks | Use staggered rooftops and interior corridors to peek and relocate. Skylights let you drop grenades safely. |
| The Spaceport | Upper interior rings; near the top Raider hatch; Night Raid variants | Fight from buildings with narrow window slits; stay back from openings to avoid splash. |
| Dam Battlegrounds | Varies by instance | Favor underpasses and multi-level structures; avoid open concrete plains. |
| Blue Gate | Varies by instance | Abuse interior chokepoints and elevation; keep multiple exit routes. |
Respawns can occur on a short cycle in active areas. If you’re farming, clear nearby threats, hold a defensible interior, and re-check the spawn lane after a few minutes.
How the Bombardier fights
| Behavior | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Mortar-focused artillery that fires until you break line of sight | Every shot you take should be followed by a quick reposition. Expect splash to tag you around corners. |
| Predictive targeting and “threading” through slits | Window slits are not safe if you linger. Vary your cadence and distance from openings. |
| Relies on Spotter drones to mark targets | Kill Spotters as soon as they tag you; without marks, its accuracy drops. Spotters will respawn, so repeat. |
| Vulnerable recovery window after firing | Time your peaks and grenades immediately after a mortar cycle; then shift cover. |
| Special burst of kinetic energy | Respect close-quarters lunges or pulses; don’t face-tank in the open. |
Weak points and damage windows
- Leg joints: Yellow “kneecaps” on each leg. Breaking these slows movement and exposes inner sections for higher damage.
- Rear cylinder: A prominent yellow canister on the back. Destroying it can disable the unit quickly.
Open your burst right after a mortar volley ends. If you’re forcing a rear-angle shot, a lure grenade can make the Bombardier turn and expose the cylinder.
Solo tactics that work
- Strip the Spotters early: They enable precise mortar placement. Expect them to respawn; re-clear as needed.
- Fight from layered cover: Deep interiors with offset doorways and stairwells blunt splash. Skylights over the target let you drop grenades without exposing your torso.
- Shoot–shift rhythm: Take 2–4 accurate shots at weak points, then move at least one room or roof over before the next salvo lands.
- Explosives end fights fast: Wolfpack grenades delete armored components; Blaze grenades stack and melt ground ARCs quietly; adhesive/impact options frontload damage during the post-volley window.
- Heavy or launcher ammo: Bring enough to finish the job in one engagement. Bot-hunter primaries like Hullcracker and high-damage rifles (Anvil, Ferro) are dependable.
- Angles they can’t solve: In Spaceport and Buried City, shoot through obstructed windows and immediately step off-angle. Underground or directly beneath overhangs can negate arcs of fire.
Recommended loadouts (solo or duo)
| Slot | Reliable picks | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Anvil or Ferro | Accurate, high per-shot damage for kneecaps and rear cylinder. |
| Heavy/Launcher | Hullcracker or launcher with heavy ammo | Shreds components and finishes during vulnerability windows. |
| Grenades | Wolfpack, Blaze, Snap/Trigger, Stun | Wolfpack for armor break; Blaze stacks; Snap/Trigger for burst openers; Stun to lock rotations. |
| Utility | Lure, Smoke, Shields/Heals | Lure to expose the back; Smoke to loot under pressure; sustain for splash recovery. |
Farming Bombardier Cells efficiently
- Buried City loop: Patrol Plaza Rosa blocks, clear air threats, then engage from rooftops and interiors. Hold a nearby building and recheck after a short interval for a new spawn.
- Spaceport loop: Sweep the upper interiors and the area near the top Raider hatch. During Night Raids, expect variants; identify the mortar chassis and set up inside slotted-window rooms.
- Time-to-kill target: With two Wolfpacks or stacked Blazes plus heavy follow-up, aim to end the fight in under 30 seconds to minimize PvP risk.
- Loot discipline: Mortar splash and third parties spike right after the kill. Pop smoke, prioritize Cells and power components, and relocate before sorting everything.
Note: Bombardier Cells and other materials can drop from the main chassis and small debris. If you’re on a budget, reserve premium grenades specifically for the Bombardier and disengage from opportunistic fights that may drain your kit.
What it drops
| Debris type | Possible drops |
|---|---|
| Main debris | Bombardier Cell, ARC Alloy, ARC Powercell, Advanced ARC Powercell, ARC Performance Steel, Mechanical Components, Medium Gun Parts, Launcher Ammo |
| Small debris | Bombardier Cell, ARC Alloy, ARC Powercell, Advanced ARC Powercell, ARC Performance Steel, Mechanical Components |
Quick checklist before you engage
- Spotters located and a plan to delete them on tag.
- Two safe angles mapped for shoot–shift cadence.
- Explosives ready to open (Wolfpack/Blaze) and a lure to expose the rear.
- Heavy or launcher ammo topped; shields and heals bound.
- Exit plan: extraction window, hatch key, or a fallback interior with multiple exits.
Handled correctly, the Bombardier becomes a repeatable farm rather than a coin flip. Make it move on your terms, break it during its own recovery windows, and don’t linger where everyone expects loot to drop.
