RAGE 2
RAGE 2 – WTF Is a Wingstick?
RAGE 2
If you played the first RAGE, you’re already well-acquainted with the whirling dervish of death known as the Wingstick.
Trained in its ways by the young Loosum Haggar, Nicholas Raine and his trusty Wingstick brought death and destruction to the wasteland. In RAGE 2 it’s Ranger Walker’s turn, and the Wingstick has gotten some upgrades in the 30 years since Raine’s time.
So… What Is a Wingstick?
The Wingstick looks like an angry boomerang, with one extra arm for extra “Oh no, there’s so much blood.” It’s covered in blades for absolutely no one’s pleasure, including the wielder, and a bad catch means fewer fingers.
Regardless of the risk to the thrower, the Wingstick is the ultimate wasteland killing tool. “It is silent, fast, and most importantly, deadly,” says Willits. “It was initially developed to help survivors hunt small prey without attracting mutant attention. Soon people discovered it was also a really good mutant and bandit killing tool as well, and then the technological advancements really started coming. Multi-targeting, explosive charges, smart-targeting, and more all became enhancements to the Wingstick. During the Authority War it was integrated into the Nanotrite system of those who came from the Arks. With Nanotrite integration, the Wingstick is not only the most lethal device in the wasteland, it may be the most fun as well."
F—k the Physics, Right? Wrong.
It’s quiet. It’s quick. It’s sharp enough to cut through bone. But how does it work? How is it able to return to the wielder after hitting its target? We assumed the answer was “magic,” but it turns out the team at id thought it through when they initially created the Wingstick.
“The Wingstick functions just like a boomerang,” Willits explains. “The blades are sharp enough that striking a target won’t slow the spinning motion down, preventing it from having enough force to return. When smart-targeting was added to the central core, it was then able to adjust spin rates and angles to allow for easier targeting and returns.”
What’s New with My Wingstick?
While the core idea remains the same, the Wingstick has seen some significant improvements since the days of Nicholas Raine. Technological advancements have unlocked the true potential of the weapon, granting its users access to features like the Wingstick’s new explosive capabilities (because the fine folks at id and Avalanche are big fans of overkill). The Wingstick will sometimes continue spinning after making contact with its target, grinding their face into a fine paste before returning to your waiting hand. Of course, the Wingstick’s most impressive (and most brutally enjoyable) new update is its upgraded targeting system. Walker can now lock onto a target while holding onto the Wingstick before tossing it, allowing him to perfectly time each attack.
“Holding a lock on an enemy gives the benefit of throwing the Wingstick around corners,” Willits says. “Once you lock a target, you can even hit a target that has ducked behind cover or left your line of sight, giving you a massive advantage. You couldn’t hear it coming before, now you can’t see it coming either.”
Because in RAGE 2, your enemies are never safe.
Design Your Own Wingstick
That’s right! You can design your very own Wingstick, and potentially even see it in the final game as a free weapon skin available for all players to use. Get the full details on the “Create a Wingstick” contest here.
