Beta

Beta is a light Serpulo Core combat unit introduced in update 6.0 (Build 120). It serves as a short-range harasser and scout with a pair of forward-firing weapons that fire homing projectiles. Beta appears alongside other early-game core units and fills the niche of a fast, short-ranged attacker that can pursue and finish weakened targets or support base-defense swarms.

The unit mounts two identical guns firing at a combined rate of two bursts per second (2x 3 shots/sec per weapon as listed). Each individual bullet deals 11 base damage but has its building damage reduced by 99% (effectively dealing 0.11 to buildings). Bullets have no inaccuracy and now possess homing behavior. Projectile speed was standardized to 24.75 tiles/sec (changed in Build 128), and bullets despawn after traveling 22 tiles; this fixed travel distance makes Beta one of the few early units whose shots have a maximum range measured by distance rather than lifetime. The weapons do not impart inaccuracy and were adjusted across updates so that bullet velocity is affected by unit velocity in current builds.

Beta's behavior and controls were refined through multiple updates: it originally had a 23-block range later reduced to 22, gained the ability to mine sand when player-controlled with the double-tap/click mine option enabled, and had its command limit removed. The unit itself rotates toward its target when shooting; the gun sprites no longer independently rotate when aiming as of Build 154. Several weapon adjustments restored bullet velocity interaction with unit movement and added homing in Build 157.1; an additional tweak fixed unintended lifetime extension when shooting backward.

Practical notes and tactics:

• Use Beta for hit-and-run attacks and to chase down small, mobile enemies thanks to homing projectiles and short travel distance; avoid relying on it for long-range engagements because projectiles expire after 22 tiles.
• Beta is ineffective as a primary anti-structure unit due to its -99% building damage modifier; pair it with heavier units or turrets when assaulting bases.
• When player-controlled, Beta can mine sand if the "Double-tap/click to mine" option is enabled, offering limited utility for resource gathering in the field.
• Expect bullets to be affected by the unit's movement speed; firing while moving alters relative projectile velocity.
• Beta is part of the Serpulo Core unit set and is thematically named after the Greek letter Beta (Β, β). It, along with Alpha and Gamma, is notable for having projectiles with a fixed travel distance.