Sir We Have an Orc Problem Turret Arcs and Placement

Why players ask about turret arcs

Launch-week Steam threads ask “Any point to turret arcs?” because Sir, We Have an Orc Problem lets you aim some towers - especially Flamethrowers and Mortars - rather than only drawing fixed Gunner lines. Arcs and aim cones decide whether an orc stream actually passes through your damage zone. A maxed Flamethrower pointed at empty berm looks weak in Damage Statistics while the same tower rotated across the choke reports millions of burn damage.

This page explains arc mechanics, overlap rules, and when rotation beats another damage node. Pair it with Choke Points, Flamethrower, and Turret Tier List.

Gunner lines versus aimed towers

Gunners use click-and-drag lines along trench segments. Their effective arc is the firing cone along that segment - overlap comes from drawing parallel or intersecting lines, not from a separate aim widget. Tighter lines concentrate fire; wider lines catch path drift when orcs behave like fluid.

Flamethrowers use aimed cones placed on valid tiles. The cone must intersect the main stream width. One degree of mis-aim lets stragglers bypass burn entirely.

Mortars use separate aim points for lob impact zones, independent of trench lines. Shells reward clump targets, not empty ground ahead of the wave.

Cannons behave like heavy Gunner segments with explosive profiles - line placement still matters more than a free-rotate arc in most builds.

Flamethrower arc rules that win maps

1. Place the cone across the stream, not parallel to march direction.
2. Cover the full width at the choke - partial coverage inflates forum “Flamethrowers are weak” posts.
3. Stack a second cone on bends so survivors reignite after path curvature.
4. Re-scout after recall (R) - fluid pathing shifts between attempts.
5. Verify with Damage Statistics after two instrumented runs (Damage Statistics Guide).

Wide maps favour flames; needle chokes often favour Cannon penetration instead of forcing a narrow cone.

Mortar aim and splash overlap

Mortar arcs are impact circles, not cones. Aim at stall pockets where orcs stack after bends, not at spawn points where the stream is thin. Upgrade explosion radius before buying a second Mortar on the same map - one well-aimed circle beats two misplaced lobs.

Coordinate Mortar timing with Bombing Runs on merge clumps: air strike first to soften, shell second for cleanup toward Perfect Clear Guide goals.

Gunner overlap geometry

Two Gunner lines that intersect at a choke create a kill zone where both cones fire. Three parallel lines on a wide front dilute DPS unless penetration upgrades let shots travel through stacked bodies.

Community feedback about turret arcs on Gunners usually means “did I angle the line to catch the fluid stream?” Scout once, then drag lines perpendicular to the main flow where the trench allows.

Ability paint areas versus turret arcs

Bombing runs use rectangular paint targets, not turret arcs. Launch-week threads mention unintentional carpet bombing when rectangles cover friendly choke zones or empty fields. Paint across the path at merge points, wait for density, then fire. See Abilities Tier List for when missiles still matter for reactive leaks.

Rotation and rebuild discipline

Build phase is untimed - use it. If Damage Statistics shows a tower contributing near zero:

• Rotate Flamethrower aim before buying +0.1 damage
• Shift Gunner lines one tile toward the leak timestamp
• Move Mortar aim to the new stall after speed-per-level ramps (Enemies and Scaling)

Static layouts copied from YouTube without matching meta unlocks fail when orc speed increases per level.

Map-specific arc priorities

Map shape	Priority
Single narrow choke	Gunner penetration lines + one Mortar circle
Wide funnel	Full-width Flamethrower cone + rear Gunners
Dual path	Primary choke arcs first, light secondary Gunner line
Late six-figure waves	Double Flamethrower pass + Mortar on merge

Level 3 Walkthrough and Level 4 Walkthrough apply these rules to specific campaign beats.

Related pages

• Turrets Hub - all four tower types
• Choke Points - funnel design
• Flamethrower Strategy - OP debate and placement
• Controls - recall, hotkeys, mouse placement
• Tower-Only Challenges - automation tests arc quality