Predator Launcher

"Enemies can run, but they can't hide from this launcher's new and improved laser guided lock-on system!"

- Tools of Destruction weapon description

The Predator Launcher was a missile launcher in Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty that shot multiple Predator missiles which locked-on to nearby enemies. Holding down R1 or circle would release several Predator missiles into the air that would hover above Ratchet and lock-on to enemies. The missiles would not launch themselves until the player released R1 or circle. It functioned similarly to the Spitting Hydra from Up Your Arsenal, and the lock-on targets looked much like the Spitting Hydra's. However, each missile counted as an ammo slot, unlike the Spitting Hydra's charge that only used one ammo. The way the missiles hovered in the air, then launched themselves toward their target was like Seeker Gun's rockets from Going Commando.

A different number of Predator missiles locked on to different enemies depending on the size. Bigger enemies had multiple lock-on targets on different spots on their body. This weapon upgraded into the Raptor Launcher, which had missiles that released napalm after exploding. The special Raritanium upgrade for this weapon was Dual Target Detectors, which allowed two missiles to lock onto a target, effectively doubling the damage dealt to locked-on enemies. This upgrade would sometimes be a liability to the ammunition capacity, because two missiles might have locked on to an enemy that only required one missile to be destroyed. Nevertheless, the upgrade would give the player the advantage to take out a stronger enemy with faster, a was especially a lifesaver when Ratchet was low on health.

The Predator missiles would automatically self-destruct if the enemy they were locked on was destroyed, or if the player switched to another weapon. This could become increasingly annoying during weapon switching rounds at the Imperial Fight Festival, as the Predator Launcher's ammo went down whenever a missile was locked on, even without shooting. Since weapons switched automatically after the ammo was used up, the weapon would change even before the missiles were fired.

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
The Predator Launcher could be bought for 25,000 bolts starting at the Cobalia Spaceport on planet Cobalia. Without Raritanium upgrades, it held 25 Predator missiles which each dealt 144 damage at V1. It was one of the most powerful weapons in the game.

Damage
Weapon damage without Raritanium upgrades:
 * V1: 144
 * V2: 166
 * V3: 190
 * V4: 219
 * V5: 252

Raritanium Upgrades

 * More Damage x3: costs 200 Raritanium each, adds 5%
 * More Ammo x5: costs 125 Raritanium, each adds 1 predator missile to ammo capacity
 * More Missiles x3: costs 250 Raritanium each, adds 1 missile to maximum amount of simultaneous missile locks
 * Faster Shooting x3: left hex costs 400 Raritanium, other 2 cost 200 Raritanium each
 * Special Upgrade: Dual Target Detectors, two lock-ons are are acquired on a single target, costs 500 Raritanium

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty
The Predator Launcher was given to Ratchet by the Smuggler at the beginning of Darkwater Cove. It started at V3. The Dual Target Detectors mod could be found in Darkwater Cove. It was located before the bolt crank that leads to the boss battle with Sprocket. There is a pirate gate to the left. To get past it, break the gate open with a Fusion Grenade and blow up the wall of metal crates behind it as well. This will expose a spring pad, which leads to the mod.

Damage

 * V3: 90
 * V4: 108
 * V5: 130

Trivia

 * A similar weapon was planned for A Crack In Time called the Phoenix Launcher, but was cut mainly because it was exactly like the Predator Luncher from a gameplay perspective.

Appearances

 * Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
 * Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty