The IAF Heal Beacon is one of the limited ways marines can recover damage taken. The Beacon creates a light red energy field when deployed that will heal any injured marine in its range.
Description[]
When deployed, the Beacon will heal (4 points per second) the wounds and infestations of all marines within its radius continually for 20 seconds or until the beacon's healing supply (270 for Faith and 240 for Bastille) is exhausted. It heals for 120 points + 30 per Health Bonus point. Medics with a high healing skill are issued more beacons (8 with Bastille or 9 with Faith).
Advantages[]
- Can heal multiple targets at once
- Able to deploy multiple beacons to increase healing rate
- No maintenance; Medics are free to do whatever they want after dropping a beacon
Disadvantages[]
- Fixed area of effect
- Beacons must be used sparingly due to their limited stock
- Beacon healing is split amongst all injured marines
- Healing rate slows as the marine it's healing increases in health
Strategy[]
- A Beacon splits its healing per second amongst all squad members (even with 100% health) in its area of effect. This means the healing provided to an individual marine when all four marines need healing will be 1/4 the rate and total amount compared to just a single marine. Keep aware of this behaviour and try not to 'share' a Beacon that is trying to heal an infested marine, as this places the infested marine at risk of not receiving enough healing to survive.
- Heal Beacons are best deployed when squads are required to be stationary (such as in holdout or hacking scenarios), as it is unlikely that they will miss a chance at healing. However, if urgent healing is needed, communicate with your squad to maximize healing by grouping the team around the Beacon.
- Compared to the unlockable Medical Gun, Beacons are capable of healing more damage given the limited provisions, but pay for this by requiring limited movement while healing.
- Be aware that long-ranged Swarm will be a pest when healing via Beacon. Mortarbugs in particular are a real threat as they will saturate marines clustered around a Beacon. Secure the area before attempting to heal.
- Since the Medic does not need to manage a Beacon once it has been dropped, they can switch to a weapon and help kill enemies. This reduces the amount of time they are taken out of combat.