TL;DR
Mechanical arm that slings landmines like a clay pigeon thrower as an alternative to (or sidegrade from) rocket turrets.What?
Example of a clay pigeon thrower.Example of how this might be used in Factorio
(Context for the link above)
Possible uses:
- Replacing landmines in an area without sending bots on suicide missions.
- Launching landmines at asteroids.
- Skipping explosives across the surface of the water before they detonate?
A rocket turret reacts to threats, a landmine launcher preempts them.
Why?
Landmines are available early in the progression but are typically underutilized due to their tendency to explode construction bots and other landmines. The steel cost can also be significant during early stages of the game, making landmines seem like an expensive, short-term defensive option when compared to the longer-lasting laser turrets or flamethrowers. Adding a ranged replacement option for landmines that is roboport-agnostic may help balance the cost/benefit ratio for using landmines defensively (or offensively).Being able to sling landmines in space would make landmines relevant later in the game when other types of turrets have gained advantages that outmode the default stationary behavior of mines.
Being able to launch mines into the water could have interesting uses if water-centric content updates are ever developed.
Other:
Should it throw anything else?Large sawblades perhaps. This could create an interesting turret opportunity, potentially giving players a piercing weapon that's lower-grade than a railgun.
Flinging items around could be funny too if you need an "inserter" that can toss something ~20 tiles.
Slinging flares to provide light at night time (scare away biters? attract biters?) could be cool
Can I put this on a train?
This would be a good way to replenish minefields. Extra points if the arm can throw while the train is in motion.