SAMs in Medici

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SAMs in Medici
Weapon in Just Cause 3
Type	SAM
Usage	Automatic/hacking
Maximum ammunition in the weapon	Infinite
List of owners	Medici Military The Rebellion Black Hand

SAMs in Medici are fully autonomous Surface-to-Air Missile systems in Just Cause 3.

Appearance

It is an automated anti-air missile launcher with six missiles. Each launcher has an 8-wheeled Trailer. The launcher consists of a tall cylindrical unit with three loaded missile canisters mounted on either side. On top of the cylindrical unit is a flashing beacon which indicates whether the SAM is within target range, and to the player whether it is friendly or enemy. Unlike SAMs featured in other games, their launch tubes appear to be loosely attached (they can be moved as physics objects).

The SAM launcher's body bears a vague resemblance to a real world Rapier SAM launcher, with the missile tube layout looking like the six outermost tubes of a Russian BM-30 Smerch multiple rocket launcher.

• The words "High Explosive Warhead" and "Warning <--- Danger" below it appear at the front of each missile launch tube.

Hacking

There is a computer on the trailer, which Rico can hack. When this is done, the SAMs will attack all Medici Military/Black Hand aircraft within range. The beacon on top of the cylindrical unit will changes color from red to blue to indicate ownership of the SAM (blue for The Rebellion and red for the Medici Military/Black Hand). It also serves as a range indicator, as it generally only fires when the beacon itself becomes visible at a distance.

In general, settlements that contain SAMs will retain their allegiance once hacked (and therefore attack aerial enemy reinforcements protecting the area) regardless of which faction is in control. If this was not done during the liberation, existing SAMs are automatically converted afterwards. Certain SAMs will otherwise revert their allegiance if the area was reloaded.

A friendly SAM will erroneously attack Rico if he grapples onto an enemy aircraft or if he is flying a Black Hand one.

Rebellion SAM launchers do not attack enemy Urga Raceks, while hostile SAMs will fire upon ones piloted by Rico.

If SAMs are destroyed or otherwise missing, more spawn once the area has been reloaded or liberated to take their place and revert to their default allegiance. For example, if a Medici Military-controlled settlement is not liberated completely, an area reload will reset any destroyed or hacked SAMs. This does not apply to the Black Hand-operated versions on settlement liberation. Instead, they disappear, as no faction maintains their presence there. The Lacrima Rebels do not control the eDEN research stations like how The Rebellion occupies Medici Military settlements, whereas the Satellite Stations are simply abandoned. Black Hand SAMs not in a settlement behave normally.

Performance

SAMs have a low detection range and fire at three-second intervals. Missiles travel somewhat quickly, able to target aircraft much further than the SAM itself once launched. Each missile detonates after flying for a certain amount of time or upon contact, dealing moderately high damage, able to destroy most helicopters in 2-3 hits. They only attack aircraft, and have a limited angle of depression. Despite their below average accuracy, they remain fairly effective, as enemies do not perform evasive maneuvers to dodge them.

The SAM is highly mobile due to its 8-wheeled Trailer which allows it to move smoothly on suitable terrain. It can be towed around through the use of the Grappler and a large vehicle. Helicopters can also hoist the SAM onto large ships, such as the Corvette, to guard them from airborne enemies.

SAMs appear to be more durable than Chaos Objects, able to withstand ballistic fire easily but not explosive weapons.

The SAMs in the mission Time For An Upgrade deal significantly increased damage. They can destroy the CS Navajo in 1 hit, and also kill Rico if he is too close to one of them.

Locations

SAMs controlled by Medici Military and The Rebellion are identical in terms of appearance, while the Black Hand has their own unique livery. All of them are considered to belong to whichever faction controls the settlement where they are.

• At least one SAM launcher is present at nearly all Military bases in Medici.
  • Two appear outside Guardia Grande Pastura II, but are not within the settlement limits.
• Some appear at other settlements and even at roadsides during missions. The ones at roadsides usually have Medici Military and Rebellion vehicles and soldiers near them, fighting each other. Most mission-specific SAMs do not spawn at these locations otherwise.
  • Welcome Home - Three are on hills outside of settlement limits and attack the Urga U17 Akrobat, but cannot damage it.
  • Time For An Upgrade - There are two at very small unmarked outposts in Insula Fonte and must be hacked to complete the mission. These SAMs are always present.
  • Conflicting Interests - One appears outside Cima Leon: Silo that does not spawn there normally.
  • Turncoat - One appears at a unique checkpoint outside Babica and another almost outside the city again, near the gas station to the north.
  • Missile Cowboy - Several appear in the countryside in northern Insula Fonte.
  • Tangled Up In Blue - Several appear in the countryside in northern Insula Dracon.
  • The Shatterer of Worlds - At least one appears in northern Citate Di Ravello and at least two appear in the countryside to the north.
• The Black Hand have some too.
  • One spawn point at a floating "dry dock"/outpost south-east of the Stingray Area.
  • At least one each on the five eDEN Satellite Stations before completion. After that, they always despawn
  • Two spawn points on Insula Lacrima, at the main runway. Though the area is controlled by the Black Hand, they remain in Medici Military colors and always attack Rico regardless if he is in heat or not.

Glitches

Main article: Just Cause 3 Bugs and glitches.

When a SAM is hacked, the small light next to the hacking console becomes blue, but it still reflects red light on the metal surface around it.

Trivia

• The weapon system's name is never mentioned in the game. The internal name, discovered through modding, is "Capstone Artax".
• This page does not cover the SAMs mounted on trains, which have much more firepower and accuracy.

Gallery

Hacking.

There is one at the bottom right.

A reprogrammed SAM at Guardia Feno I. The helicopter is a Urga Racek.

Two being towed by a Urga Bkolos 2100.

A Rebel SAM in Petra.

Another SAM train. This one is towed by a Medici Military Imperator Bavarium Tank. In the background is a Rebellion CS Odjur.

A reprogrammed SAM at Porto Vena. Notice that there is still a destructible in the top left corner, indicating this base has not been fully liberated yet.

The biggest attainable SAM train possible.

The combat benefits of a SAM train can outweigh the technical difficulties of creating one, assuming that the player is not in a hurry.

A SAM at Platteforma Costa Sud I. Military SAMs are easily recognized by the red light atop one.

The SAM at the floating outpost south-east the Stingray Area. Note the Black Hand markings.

A Black Hand version of the SAM trailer at Satellite Station: Farad.

Another view of a Black Hand SAM site.

Often SAMs will fail to lock on after travelling great distances, as seen in this example of a military controlled SAM towed to Alte Potentia.

One of several missiles from Rebellion SAMs landing a direct hit on an unidentified Medici Military CS7 Thunderhawk or U-7 Dravec. Those jets are actually the FOW for Cima Leon: Centcom.

Same as the previous screenshot, except farther away. Note that Rico is still within their influence and the jets will still attempt to kill Rico with their airstrike.