So you are strugeling with the COGs? They do have some advanages in terms of not having to reload and hitting every shot. But there are some small tricks on how to defeat them on every try. Even the hardest ones... So lets get started!
Simple Gun Mechanics
The shotgun is currently the only gun ingame so understanding how to use it is important to fight the COGs. The shotgun is currently not projectile based. So its mechanics are simple. And can easily be represented with numbers. Reloading the shotgun takes aproximatly 3 seconds, the cogs dont need to reload. And it has a firerate at about 1 second per shot. This means that you can shoot 2 shots every 4 seconds. the COGs shoot every one and a half seconds so they output a little more shots then you do. The shotgun has a range of 40 meters which is a little shorter then the length of the submarine. One thing thats really importaint to know about the shotgun is that the further away you are from your target the less damage you deal. so try to get as close to your target as possible while maintaining a safe distance. Remember that you can also use your pickaxe to deal damage. so if you have to reload and you know that the COG is low, hit it with your pickaxe to save some hp of yourself.
COG Classes
There are 4 different COGs in the game. Knowing how to counter each type of COG is key to getting past theese annoyiong robots. All the different COGs have the same damage, the difference is their HP. The first kind of COG you will encounter are the red COGs. Theese are the weakest COGs, but can still be dangerous in masses. Theese COGs take two shots from medium range before they die. Meaning that if you hit your shots properly you will kill one without having to reload. They can only be found in area 1 around lavalakes, in the towns, and scattered close to surfacing locations for the drillship. However its is not in the lavasource in area 1. To kill them is pretty easy, if there is only one sprint towards it untill your within its range and fire both your shots. If there are multiple you should find a tree or a rock to peak around. Try to be the first one to shoot so that you may get one picked off early.
The next COG you will encounter are the green COGs. They can be found both in area 1 and 2 and are a little more dangerous then the red COGs. They take 3 shots with the shotgun at close and medium range.They are located in the towns where there are tech in area 1, at area 1s lavasource and they are scattered around area 2 just like the red COGs. To kill this COG is a litle different then the red one. If there is only one COG charge at it take two shots and finish t with the pickaxe. However if there are other COGs around, make them chase you, maybe around a building or a rock. With your sprint you are a little faster then them so be just so far ahead that they dont get to stop to shoot. Only turn around to empty you magazine.
The next COG is where it gets really challenging. The blue COG can be found in area 2 in villages with tech, in area 2s lavasource, and scattered around area 3. The blue COGs are able to take 4 shots at short/medium distance. To counter this you again have to use your higher speed to you advantage. If you only meat one of them you can play around any obstacle large egnouth to cover you just like with multiple green ones. If you have multiple chasing you you should get a larger cover like a building or a larger rock. Trees and moust ores will not provide you with egnouth cover here. Make them chase you and sprint when reloading, turn around to shoot when you are out of sprint, and sprint again when reloading. make them all follow you the same way around the rock so you dont run into one. Then they might shoot eachother aswell which makes it easier for you.
The final COG in your path is the black COGs. There are a few around area 3, but they are moustly in area 3s lavasource and the volcano. This is the real deal. They take a total of 4 shots. To counter theese COGs you have to play safe. They usually spawn in groups of 2 or 3 so you will rarley find one alone. If you do however there is always more around. To kill them, you have to use ur cover as best as you can. I is basically the same playrules as with the blue COGs, but this fight will go on for longer. if you get on low health you can use ur healthpack mid fight. just dont stop because they will catch up fast and finish you. The COGs are easy to spot, so when you se one make sure you find good cover before you engage. As always its best to take the first shot at them to gain the advantage.
Defending The Drillship
One of the worst things that can happen to you is that you are far away from your drillship gathering some tech or matirials, and then it gets attacked by COGs. There are a few things you can do to prevent this. First off all, always assume there are some COGs around when you surface. Take a look in your periscope on your way up, and take a round around you drillship to see if you can spot any. And take them out before you leave the ship. You can also learn where the COGs patrol at the location you commonly use through expirience so that will come the more you play the game.
When fighting COGs around the drillship start by getting their attention. You want them shooting as little as possible at your ship. Try to make them chase you inside the drillship or around any close cover you can find. You dont want them to chase you around your ship as there is little to hide behind when they catch up. Inside the drillship try to tank as many hits as possible. If there are multiple they will kill eachother pretty quicly because of the tight space. You dont want them to damage your equipment! See how to counter each type of COG above to better fight each type.
Source: https://gameplay.tips/guides/3409-volcanoids.html