Lustre

Lustre is a heavy, single-target beam turret introduced in Build 136 and later adjusted in Build 147. It fires a slow, continuous laser that pierces units and delivers very high single-target damage, making it a defensive main gun for chokepoints and high-value targets. Lustre does not require item inputs in the conventional sense; instead it consumes continuous ammo and significant power to sustain its beam.

The beam is a sustained, non-item ammo stream that deals 1890 damage per second (value raised in Build 147) and pierces through targets. The turret applies a -70% modifier to building damage, reducing its effectiveness against structures compared to units. Reported continuous ammo draw is 6 units per second of ammo (some sources identify this as Hydrogen; other sources describe it as nitrogen ammo used with Electric Heaters), and it requires 200 power units per second to operate after the Build 147 change. Its effective range is 31.25 tiles (250 world units). Lustre is described as a slow-rotating, high single-target DPS turret intended to hold main firing positions rather than cover broad swarms.

Lustre’s role and deployment focus on concentrated suppression and decisive kills rather than area denial. It is best used as the backbone of a defensive line: place Lustres at chokepoints, bends, and outer rings of the core to maximize time on target and to take advantage of their piercing beam. They pair well with support structures that increase supply stability and with walls and repair support to keep them protected while they channel sustained damage.

• Power and ammo: Lustre consumes a large, continuous amount of energy (200 power/sec) and a steady ammo stream (6/sec). Ensure stable power generation and battery capacity or place them near power networks; Electric Heaters are commonly used to produce the indicated ammo type where applicable. Prime Refabricators can be siphoned without heavily affecting unit production if they are not running continuously.
• Positioning: Prioritize placement on corners, junctions, and mid-range defensive lines so a Lustre can track enemies along predictable paths. A pre-fire command so the turret faces incoming lanes can increase early engagement time.
• Vulnerabilities: High single-target focus makes Lustre weak against swarms, fast-moving groups, and unit missiles. Its slow rotation causes trouble when enemies attack from multiple directions; it can also be distracted by shielded tanks that block access to higher-threat backline units. Collaris and missile-heavy compositions are notably effective counters.
• Fortification: Combine Lustres with walls, repair (Mending) support, and secondary area-of-effect turrets to handle swarms and flanking threats. Stacking or paralleling multiple Lustres increases sustained multi-target coverage, while Build Towers may be placed on top to enhance the defensive location.
• Upgrades and scaling: Lustre’s performance improves with higher supply stability, parallel turret counts, and systems that allow continuous firing. It functions best as a focused damage node in a layered defensive network rather than as a standalone all-purpose turret.