====== Attack ======

[[:Agents]], a rescued [[:Courier]] or [[:Prisoner]], most [[:guards]], and [[:mainframe_devices:turrets]] are able to **attack** enemies under certain circumstances. Most attacks either deal [[:KO]] or [[:lethal damage]] to their target, though the [[:weapons:TAG pistol]] and the EMP attack that [[:agents:Dr. Xu]] augment allows are exceptions. Attacks never consume any AP, but most non-[[:guards]] are limited to one attack per turn.

All attacks by agency-controlled units (except the EMP attack that [[:agents:Dr. Xu]] augment allows) require the user to use a [[:weapon]] and equip it, which determines when the attack can be performed, what it does to the target, and what it costs to use the attack.

A [[:items:Stim III]] can be used to replenish an agency unit's attack after it is used, and a [[:items:Stim IV]] can be used to give an agency unit an infinite number of attacks that turn.

Attacks can be prevented if:

  * The attack deals [[:KO]] or [[:lethal damage]], but the target has more [[:armor]] than the attack has [[#armor piercing]].
  * The target of the attack is immune to the effects of the attack, e.g. [[:guards#drones]] are [[:KO]] immune, and already TAGged enemies cannot be TAGged again.
  * The attacker does not have [[:vision|line-of-sight]] to the target.
  * The agency is unable to pay a [[:PWR]] cost associated with the weapon.
  * In [[:modes:Expert Plus]] or on [[:modes:Custom]] runs where "Melee when seen" is turned off, melee attacks against [[:guards]] by enemies they see is prevented.

Prevented attacks simply do not happen. Any buttons to perform [[:attacks]] that are prevented for some reason either do not appear at all or are disabled. If disabled buttons are hovered over, an explanation of why the attack is prevented will appear.

===== Ambush =====

If an agency controlled unit with an active melee [[:weapon]] has an attack remaining, they can enter an **ambush** stance. When in ambush stance, they will perform a melee attack on the first [[:guard]] they see that walks to a tile adjacent to them or opens a [[:door]] adjacent to them that they are able to attack with the equipped weapon.

Ambushing units will ignore [[:guards]] they are unable to attack with their weapon, and remain on ambush in this case; they will not "try" to attack in this situation.

The agency controlled unit will attack before the [[:guard]] has a chance to raise the [[:alarm level|alarm tracker]], shout, or anything else. Ambushing is not affected by the [[:modes:Expert Plus]] restriction that [[:guards]] are immune to melee attacks from [[:agents]] they see.

Note that if an agency controlled unit is [[:guard_behaviour#overwatched]], they will remain on ambush stance, and if they attack as a result of being in this stance, they will immediately be shot.

If a unit makes an attack during the [[:corporation]]'s turn while on ambush, it consumes the previous turn's attack. Therefore, the unit will be able to attack next turn.

===== Overwatch =====

If an agency controlled unit with an active ranged [[:weapon]] has an attack remaining, they can enter an **overwatch** stance. When in overwatch stance, they will perform a ranged attack on the first [[:guard]] that acts in their [[:vision|line-of-sight]] that they are able to attack with the equipped weapon.

Overwatching units will ignore [[:guards]] they are unable to attack with their weapon, and remain on overwatch in this case; they will not "try" to attack in this situation.

The agency controlled unit will attack before the [[:guard]] has a chance to raise the [[:alarm level|alarm tracker]], shout, or anything else.

Note that if an agency controlled unit is [[:guard_behaviour#overwatched]], the agency controlled unit will remain on overwatch stance, and if they attack as a result of being in this stance, the overwatching agency controlled unit will immediately be shot. If the unit entered overwatch stance after being [[:guard_behaviour#overwatched]], the original overwatcher will shoot first (but in this case, you can simply attack instead of overwatching, provided your weapon is able to attack the [[:guard_behaviour#overwatch|overwatching]] enemy).
 
If a unit makes an attack during the [[:corporation]]'s turn while on overwatch, it consumes the previous turn's attack. Therefore, the unit will be able to attack next turn.

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