Mastering the Sandworm: Mechabellum’s Subterranean Menace

Deployment & Core Value

• Aerial Protector: Use Sandstorm Tech to shield Wasps from anti-air (Mustangs, Fortress Barrage).

• Backline Assassin: Burrow to bypass chaff and delete key units (Stormcallers, Vulcans, Marksmen).

• Replicate Spam: Mass worms in one lane with Replicate Tech to overwhelm defenses through sheer numbers.

• Zone Disruptor: Force enemies to split resources between surface threats and subterranean dives.

  • Weaknesses:

    • Vulnerable to War Factories and Fortress Launcher Overload during surface phases.

    • Burrow cycles are disrupted by constant chaff drip (Crawlers/Fangs).

    • Struggles vs. Overlord Ground Cannons or Phoenix Charged Shots during emergence.

Strategic Timing & Matchups

• Early Game:

  • Deploy 1 Sandworm to counter Mustang-heavy boards or protect early Wasps.

  • Use Mobile Beacon to reposition and avoid early Melting Point focus.

• Mid-Game:

  • Tech Transition: Add Sandstorm to protect air units or Replicate for lane pressure.

  • Backline Dive: Burrow to assassinate Stormcallers/Vulcans, then retreat underground.

• Late Game:

  • Mass Worm Push: Cluster 3+ Sandworms with Replicate + Burrow Speed Tech for unstoppable waves.

  • EMP Synergy: Pair with EMP units to lock enemies in place during emergence.

    
    

Countering Sandworm: Disrupt & Bury

• Early Counters:

  • Chaff Flood: Drip-feed Crawlers/Fangs to stall burrow cycles.

  • War Factory Turrets: Melt Sandworms during surface phases with AoE.

• Mid-Game Counters:

  • Fortress + Launcher Overload: Bombard emergence points with unstoppable missiles.

  • Phoenix Charged Shots: Snipe Sandworms as they surface.

• Late Counters:

  • Overlord Ground Cannons: Focus-fire Sandworms during brief surface windows.

  • Scorpion Acid: Apply lingering damage that persists through burrows.

• Pro Tips:

  • Deploy Mobile Beacons to bait Sandworms into EMP traps.

  • Use Steel Balls with Energy Absorption to tank strikes and outheal damage.

    
    

Sandworm Builds: Tech & Synergy

1. Sandstorm Guardian:

   • Tech: Sandstorm + Burrow Speed.

   • Role: Protect Wasps/Overlords while diving priority targets.

   • Synergy: Pair with Phoenix to snipe distracted anti-air.

2. Replicate Swarm:

   • Tech: Replicate + HP Upgrades.

   • Role: Flood a single lane with burrowing waves.

   • Risk: Requires Stormcallers to clear enemy chaff blocking emergence points.

3. Backline Assassin:

   • Tech: Burrow Speed + Damage Amplifiers.

   • Role: Delete Vulcans/Stormcallers before they scale.

   • Synergy: Combine with Hackers to steal chaff and ensure clean dives.

Key Philosophy

The Sandworm is a psychological weapon—its burrows force enemies to play reactively. Use it to punish static backlines or protect air armies, but never overcommit without Replicate Tech. Prioritize disrupting enemy anti-burrow tools (War Factories, Fortresses), and abandon the strategy if they hard-counter with Phoenixes or Overlords. Adaptability is key: let the Sandworm’s unpredictability create openings, but always have a backup plan when the enemy digs deeper.

Mobility - Ground
Giant - Yes
Cost - 400
Unlock cost - 200
Units - 1
HP - 48645
Attack - 8324
Target - Ground
Attack Interval - 2.5s
Splash Damage - 12.0m
Burst Damage - 8324
Max DPS - 3330
Range - Melee
Speed - 16m/s

Tech Upgrades

Armor Enhancement (350)
HP is increased by 50% and blocks 60 damage when attacked. The damage-blocking effect increases by 60 with each level

Mechanical Division (350)
Destroyed Sandworm creates 4 level 1 Larvae to continue fighting

Mechanical Rage (200)
Increases the movement speed of units by 4m/s and reduces attack interval by 0.8s

Anti Air (100)
Enables the Sandworm to attack aerial targets

Replicate (200)
Each time the Sandworm emerges from the ground, it creates 1 Larva

Sandstorm (350)
When the Sandworm burrows out of the ground, it creates a sandstorm with a 120-meter radius that lasts for 10 seconds. Units within the sandstorm have their attack range reduced by 50%, and damage taken from ranged attacks is reduced by 30%

Underground Maintenance (250)
While burrowed, the Sandworm restores 15% of its max HP per second