| |
| Explosive Barrel | |
| Attack Damage |
(70) |
| Found in | |
| [Source] | |
| “ | Found all through the city are explosive radioactive containers. Stay clear of them in a fire fight or you’ll end up in 46 little body bags. They’re light enough to move, and short enough to jump on. Their explosive power can blow through weak areas in walls. | ” |
—Quake II Manual | ||
Explosive Barrels are objects found in Quake II. As the name suggests, gunfire will cause them to explode, damaging anything nearby. Most explosive barrels will be detonated by a single hit from your Blaster, though some are a little more durable. At point blank range, the explosion will deal around 70 damage. Players can use them to their advantage by luring enemies near them and then shooting the barrel from a distance. Strogg won't deliberately attempt to detonate the barrels, but it's quite possible their gunfire might detonate them by accident, so it's wise to stay clear of them during a firefight.
The manual is quite correct to say that Explosive Barrels are "light enough to move, and short enough to jump on" - the player can push them around by moving up against them, and can use them as a stepping stone to reach a higher area. Occasionally, secret areas are designed with the idea that the player will use an explosive barrel to reach it, such as in the Swamps (The Reckoning) and Maintenance Hangars (Ground Zero). Just make sure the coast is clear of enemies before getting close to the barrel, though.
One unusually resilient explosive barrel is found in the Main Gate of Unit 3, and can be pushed into the path of a security laser, thereby blocking it and allowing the player to pass safely. However, while this barrel is unusually tough, it is not indestructible - the laser will eventually destroy the barrel, so if you use this tactic, don't take too long about it.
In the 2023 remaster, mild damage to an explosive barrel will cause it to catch fire and explode shortly thereafter, as opposed to their near-instant explosion in the original game. However, being struck by a more powerful weapon such a Rocket Launcher is likely to cause it to explode at once.
If the player has a mind to, barrels can be used to execute a manouevre similar to rocket jumping; the player can hop onto a barrel and then shoot it, propelling themselves upward - ideally jumping in time to be at the highest point of the jump when the explosion occurs. They will of course take damage in the process.
Death Message[]
- "Player" killed himself