Tanker Bugs are the 'heavy tanks' of the arachnid army, known for their immense size, strength, and thick armor. These bugs pose a significant threat due to their ability to pulverize anything in their path using their sheer weight and power.
Tanker Bugs have several strengths. They are incredibly strong and heavily armored, making them nearly unstoppable on the battlefield. However, they also have significant weaknesses. Tanker Bugs are slow and have poor target recognition, which can be exploited by agile and strategic attacks. Additionally, they have two critical weak points—the underside of their head and a small spot on their back.
The primary attack capability of Tanker Bugs is their flamethrower-like ranged attack, which can cut through armor and cause devastating damage. At close range, they use their massive legs to crush enemies, inflicting severe injury or death.
To effectively combat Tanker Bugs, the M.R.L. (Multiple Rocket Launcher) is highly recommended for its ability to engage these formidable enemies from a distance. Additionally, a TAC Shotgun can be effective at close range, provided troopers aim for the head's weak points.
Starship Troopers film universe[]
Tanker Bugs were deployed by the Arachnids throughout the Klendathu System Campaign, a strategic endeavor undertaken by the Federation to systematically capture Arachnid-held planets within the system. Notably, during this campaign, numerous Tanker Bugs were observed operating on planets such as Planet P and Tango Urilla. They frequently engaged Mobile Infantry forces by employing subterranean tactics, tunneling beneath their positions to ambush the Mobile Infantry from behind their lines.
The first documented encounter with a Tanker Bug occurred during the assault on Tango Urilla. Mobile Infantry forces, initially achieving significant progress following an airstrike, fell victim to an ambush orchestrated by one such specimen. During this engagement, the Tanker Bug targeted Corporal Bird, resulting in the severe incineration of her right arm. Prompt intervention by the commanding Lieutenant facilitated Bird's rescue. Subsequently, Rico initiated a retaliatory assault, descending upon the creature from above and engaging it with his weapon, causing significant damage to its carapace. Taking advantage of the weakened state, the soldier strategically deployed a fragmentation grenade into the Tanker Bug's internal cavity, triggering a catastrophic explosion.
Another Tanker Bug was observed during the ambush at Whiskey Outpost, presumably accountable for the demise of Lieutenant Raszcak. This specific specimen infiltrated the outpost but was promptly incapacitated by a well-aimed fragmentation grenade, skillfully deployed by Dizzy Flores, which it inadvertently ingested.
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Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles[]
The Tanker Bugs are the size of houses and breathe fire as their main offensive weapon. Although they don't move quickly, their ability to tunnel underground allows them to pop up unexpectedly in the middle of a battle. Their armored exoskeleton makes them near-impervious to everything except high explosives such as mini-nukes and plasma rockets.