Howitzer "Molot"

Howitzer “Molot” costs 140 minerals and 10 population. The official description states “Self-propelled howitzer. The primary and most widely used artillery piece. Powerful in large numbers. Requires deployment to fire. ” Demo build 23882143 records base range 10 and a separate range bonus 51. The bonuses 67, 60 and 55 belong to Dreadnought Howitzer, Dreadnought and MLRS Vortex respectively; they are not a ranking of complete effective reach. Molot’s damage fields are 400 against infantry and 160 against vehicles. Deployment and the linked territory-fire command matter before those figures can be used. Check the artillery mechanics and firing position rather than inferring a battle result from range bonuses alone.

The developer called artillery “a kind of ultimatum force,” and described extended-range shells so that “the shells fly along a more curved trajectory and with a greater spread.” in the explanation of 10 February 2026. The 22 June notes then state “the "Molots" now try to return to their position when ordered to fire on territory” for Molot’s territory-fire behaviour. These sources describe general trajectory changes and a particular movement correction. They do not promise accurate hits at every range or say that guidance removes all spread. Molot’s linked territory-fire component points to its own projectile attack. Compare that command with Spotters and the artillery modes when planning fire beyond an ordinary target engagement.

The phrase “Powerful in large numbers” is the developer’s guidance, not a tested instruction for a fixed battery size. The weapon’s calculated infantry output is 64.5 damage per second on a 6.2-second cycle. Travel, spread, target protection and firing state can change what reaches the enemy. Molot’s area-resistance coefficient is −0.6, without a documented damage formula. Choose a firing position with support and a route to move afterwards. Spotters can provide a separate guidance command, but its required artillery mode must be checked; their presence does not make every shell precise or double every gun’s reach.

Molot has 350 base hit points and 5 armour at a mineral cost of 140. Its negative area-resistance coefficient is −0.6; the sign does not quantify counter-battery damage. If the enemy has revealed a battery, assess its screen, firing state and guidance support before choosing artillery, aircraft or a ground approach. Moving after firing may help its owner avoid a known position, but it is not a universal escape. Removing Spotters can disrupt their guidance; it does not mechanically halve the reach of every gun. The artillery mechanics page keeps those modes distinct.