The Goon Rusher, also known as the Hammer Goon[1], is the melee infantry unit of the Thugs-4-Less enemy faction. They first appear unnamed in Into The Nexus before making a return in Rift Apart. They are armed with large hammers, swords or occasionally both, with one in each hand.
As their name and looks imply, they utilize rush tactics, sprinting up to you, slashing with swords and smashing you with their hammer melee weapons. As a result, they're often the first opponents you'll be facing in a fight with this faction.
Later in Rift Apart, undead goon variants of the Goon Rusher appear as enemies.
History[]
Into the Nexus[]
On Planet Yerek an improvement variant appears: orange in color, their armor is stronger and damage also increases. Later on Yerek further upgraded black versions appear, they are much more heavily armored and deal far more damage.
Rift Apart[]
The Goon Rushers first appear in Megalopolis very early into Rift Apart and are among the first enemies encountered. The Goons are hired by Dr. Nefarious to attack Ratchet and Clank during the Festival of Heroes and are deployed by their Dropships into the city.
When mass dimensional chaos ensues after the Dimensionator is destroyed, the Goons continue to pursue their bounty through the tears in the dimensions into Rivet's universe. On the Sargasso of Rivet's dimension the Goons cross dimensions with their forces and attack Rivet as they are unable to differentiate their Lombax target from her and Ratchet. Their Dropships deploy infantry, Goon Rushers and Zoom Goons around Sargasso as Rivet attempts to liberate the Morts they have taken hostage to interrogate and find where their bounty targets are.
Later, on the intact dimension version of Blizar Prime, the Goons again cross dimensions in pursuit of Rivet in their Dropships and on hoverbikes. After Rivet reaches the mining site's main drill and activates it to obtain some Phase Quartz, she discovers the drill is what destroyed the Blizar Prime in her own dimension. Whilst attempting to stop it and save the planet, she is forced to fight off infantry, Goon Rushers, Vroom Goons and their attack Dropship.
Several of the Goons' swords and hammers are seen at the entrance to Zurkie's Gastropub in the weapons confiscation room. Many swords and hammers are also seen confiscated in a large pile at Zordoom Prison along with their blasters, when the Goons were captured and imprisoned by the Nefarious Troopers.
Combat[]
Shotgun weapons like the Enforcer and the Pixelizer are great for Goon Rushers because of their knockback effect, which you can use to keep the distance between them. Since these enemies like to rush you, you should otherwise use weapons that can take them out quickly. Weapons like the Burst Pistol and Buzz Blades are only recommended if they are already at a far enough distance from you and there are no other immediate threats close by. On higher difficulties their attacks are much faster with less wind up.
Behind the scenes[]
Concept art of the enemy for Into the Nexus
Concept art of this enemy for Into the Nexus originally had them wielding only a large metal hammer-like weapon, this hammer would go on to appear as one of their weapons in Rift Apart.
- ↑ Rift Apart, Photo Mode: Sticker Mode