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{{Article header|eyebrow=EDFM // Engineer|deck=Cannon and Rail Gun specialist based in the Wolf 397 system.}}
{{Article header|deck=An independent starting Engineer based at Trophy Camp in Wolf 397, providing Grade 5 Multi-Cannon and Rail Gun engineering.
{{Article status|status=Needs review|mode=Both|version=Live and Legacy, as currently documented by community sources; no specific patch number independently confirmed|reviewed=2026-08-07|reviewer=Desk research from community sources, not yet confirmed by direct in-game testing — see Sources|source_quality=Location and specialty cross-referenced against Inara's Engineers listing; prerequisite/discovery/invitation/unlock detail drawn primarily from a single community unlock-chain guide — see Sources|uncertainty=Maximum engineering grade and full blueprint names were not found in the sources checked; the prerequisite/discovery/invitation chain is single-sourced and not yet directly verified.}}
}}
 
{{Engineer infobox}}
 
'''Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn''' is a ship Engineer based at '''Trophy Camp''' in the [[Wolf 397]] system. He is one of the independent starting Engineers: no referral from another Engineer is required before a Commander can meet and unlock him.<ref name="inara-tod">[https://inara.cz/elite/engineer/6/ Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn — Engineer], Inara.</ref>


{{Infobox
Tod specialises in projectile weapons. He provides '''Grade 5 Multi-Cannon''' and '''Grade 5 Rail Gun Engineering''', along with Fragment Cannon Engineering through Grade 3 and Cannon Engineering through Grade 2.<ref name="inara-tod" /><ref name="newp-engineers">[https://newp.io/engrhighlight Engineer Highlight], New Pilots Initiative.</ref>
|name = Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn
|label1 = Engineer type |row1 = Ship (weapon)
|label2 = System |row2 = Wolf 397
|label3 = Facility |row3 = Trophy Camp
|label4 = Specialties |row4 = Cannons, Rail Guns
|label5 = Prerequisite Engineer |row5 = Not independently confirmed this pass
|label6 = Discovery requirement |row6 = Not independently confirmed this pass
|label7 = Invitation requirement |row7 = Requires 15 or more bounty vouchers redeemed before the referral appears
|label8 = Unlock requirement |row8 = Deliver bounty vouchers worth 100,000 CR
}}


Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn specialises in cannons, rail guns modifications. See Engineer Unlock Chain below for their relationship to [[Selene Jean]] and [[Petra Olmanova]].<ref name="inara-list" />
{{Field note|Tod is a '''starting Engineer'''. No prerequisite Engineer needs to be unlocked before him. His bounty-hunting requirement is what determines when he becomes available to meet.}}


== Location ==
== Location ==
* '''System:''' Wolf 397
* '''Facility:''' Trophy Camp


== How to Discover This Engineer ==
* '''System:''' [[Wolf 397]]
Not independently confirmed this pass.<ref name="wanderer-chain">[https://wanderer-toolbox.com/guides/engineering-unlock/ Engineering Unlock Guide], Wanderer's Toolbox, accessed 2026-08-07.</ref><ref name="inara-list">[https://inara.cz/elite/engineers/ Engineers], Inara, accessed 2026-08-07.</ref>
* '''Facility:''' [[Trophy Camp]]
* '''Body:''' Trus Madi
* '''Engineer type:''' Ship Engineer
* '''Referral required:''' No
* '''System permit required:''' No
 
Trophy Camp is a surface Engineer base on '''Trus Madi''' in Wolf 397.<ref name="inara-trophy">[https://inara.cz/elite/station-market/?search=Trophy+Camp%5BWolf+397%5D Trophy Camp — Station], Inara.</ref>
 
== How to Discover Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn ==
 
Tod McQuinn's whereabouts are '''common knowledge'''. He does not require a referral from another Engineer.<ref name="inara-tod" />
 
This makes him one of the independent entry points into the ship Engineering network.


== How to Receive an Invitation ==
== How to Receive an Invitation ==
Requires 15 or more bounty vouchers redeemed before the referral appears.<ref name="wanderer-chain" />


== How to Unlock This Engineer ==
Earn '''more than 15 bounty vouchers'''.<ref name="inara-tod" />
# Meet the invitation requirement: requires 15 or more bounty vouchers redeemed before the referral appears.
 
# Travel to Trophy Camp in Wolf 397.
Bounty vouchers are earned by destroying ships carrying valid bounties, such as NPC ships marked '''Wanted''' after they have been scanned.
# Redeem or deliver **bounty vouchers worth 100,000 CR total** at his facility.
 
# Confirm access at the Engineer's terminal.
Because the current requirement is stated as '''more than 15''', earning at least '''16 bounty vouchers''' avoids stopping at the threshold.
 
{{Important|The meeting requirement concerns the '''number of bounty vouchers earned''', not their total credit value. A small number of high-value bounties does not replace the required number of qualifying bounty vouchers.}}
 
See [[Bounty Vouchers]] for how bounty vouchers are earned, stored, and redeemed.
 
{{Tip|You can work on the meeting and unlock requirements together. Continue bounty hunting after meeting Tod's voucher-count requirement until you are holding at least '''100,000 CR worth''' of bounty vouchers for the final unlock.}}
 
== How to Unlock Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn ==
 
Unlock requirements summary:
* Earn '''more than 15 [[Bounty Vouchers|bounty vouchers]]'''.
* Provide Tod with '''100,000 CR worth of bounty vouchers''' through the Engineer unlock interface.
{{Important|Do '''not''' redeem the bounty vouchers needed for Tod's final unlock at another station first. The required value must still be available for the Engineer hand-in at Trophy Camp.}}
{{Tip|You do not need an advanced combat ship to unlock Tod. A lower-intensity Resource Extraction Site or Navigation Beacon can provide suitable Wanted targets while allowing local security forces to assist.}}
 
For the complete step-by-step process, see [[Unlocking Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn]].
 
== Increasing Engineer Reputation ==
 
Reputation with Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn can be increased by:
 
* crafting Engineering modifications at Trophy Camp; or
* handing in '''Alliance bounty vouchers''' at Trophy Camp.<ref name="inara-tod" />
 
Higher Engineer reputation gives access to the higher grades Tod supports for each blueprint.
 
Reaching '''Grade 3 access and progressing at least one-third of the way toward Grade 4''' also allows Tod to provide referrals to [[Selene Jean]] and [[Petra Olmanova]].<ref name="newp-engineers" />
 
See [[Engineer Reputation]] for how ship Engineer reputation, grade access, blueprint progression, referrals, and alternative reputation methods work.
 
{{Tip|If you intend to raise Tod's reputation through bounty hunting as well as Engineering, Alliance bounty vouchers can be handed in at Trophy Camp after he has been unlocked.}}


== Engineer Unlock Chain ==
== Engineer Unlock Chain ==
''No verified multi-Engineer chain to display for this Engineer.''


Tod McQuinn's own prerequisite Engineer is not yet confirmed. He is the referral source for both [[Selene Jean]] and [[Petra Olmanova]] (the latter in Colonia).<ref name="wanderer-chain" />
Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn is one of the independent starting points in the ship Engineer network.
 
After reaching '''Grade 3 access and progressing at least one-third of the way toward Grade 4''', Tod can provide referrals to:<ref name="newp-engineers" />
 
* [[Selene Jean]]
* [[Petra Olmanova]] — Colonia
 
[[Selene Jean]] subsequently leads to [[Bill Turner]] and [[Didi Vatermann]].
 
The branch is therefore:
 
<pre>
Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn
├── Selene Jean
│  ├── Bill Turner
│  └── Didi Vatermann
└── Petra Olmanova [Colonia]
</pre>
 
Current Engineer data independently lists Selene Jean and Petra Olmanova as being discovered through Tod McQuinn.<ref name="inara-selene">[https://inara.cz/elite/engineer/8/ Selene Jean — Engineer], Inara.</ref><ref name="inara-petra">[https://inara.cz/elite/engineer/24/ Petra Olmanova — Engineer], Inara.</ref>
 
{{Field note|A referral from Tod does not automatically unlock the referred Engineer. [[Selene Jean]] and [[Petra Olmanova]] each have additional meeting and unlock requirements of their own.}}
 
See [[Engineer Unlock Guide]] for the complete referral network.


== Available Engineering ==
== Available Engineering ==
Tod's current Engineering coverage is shown below. The listed grade is the highest grade he can apply to that module.<ref name="inara-tod" />
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Module !! Notes !! Maximum grade
! Module
! Available blueprints
! Maximum grade
|-
| [[Multi-Cannon]]
|
* Efficient
* High Capacity
* Lightweight
* Long Range
* Overcharged
* Rapid Fire
* Rapid Phase <small>(Live only; compatible Merc modules)</small>
* Short Range
* Sturdy
| '''Grade 5'''
|-
| [[Rail Gun]]
|
* Enduring Feedback <small>(Live only; compatible Merc modules)</small>
* High Capacity
* Lightweight
* Long Range
* Short Range
* Sturdy
| '''Grade 5'''
|-
|-
| Cannon || Damage and other variants || To be confirmed
| [[Fragment Cannon]]
|
* Double Screaming <small>(Live only; compatible Merc modules)</small>
* Double Shot
* Efficient
* High Capacity
* Lightweight
* Overcharged
* Rapid Fire
* Sturdy
| '''Grade 3'''
|-
|-
| Rail Gun || Damage and other variants || To be confirmed
| [[Cannon]]
|
* Efficient
* High Capacity
* Lightweight
* Long Range
* Overcharged
* Rapid Fire
* Short Range
* Sturdy
| '''Grade 2'''
|}
|}
Full blueprint names and maximum grades were not confirmed to the same depth as the core chain pages for this pass — see [[Elite Dangerous Field Manual:Engineering Architecture]] for the site's policy on not inventing unconfirmed specifics.<ref name="wanderer-chain" />
 
Tod's maximum-grade specialties are therefore '''Multi-Cannons and Rail Guns'''. His Fragment Cannon and Cannon Engineering are useful earlier in progression but stop below Grade 5.
 
== Operations-era Engineering ==
 
Three current weapon blueprints available through Tod were introduced with the Operations-era Engineering additions.<ref name="frontier-operations">[https://www.elitedangerous.com/update-notes/4-4-0-0 Elite Dangerous: Operations — Update Notes], Frontier Developments.</ref>
 
These blueprints are available only in '''Live''' and are not part of Legacy Engineering.
 
=== Rapid Phase Multi-Cannon ===
 
'''Rapid Phase''' significantly changes Multi-Cannon firing behaviour by increasing ammunition capacity, magazine capacity, rate of fire, and the number of projectiles fired while reducing effective range and increasing jitter.<ref name="inara-rapid-phase">[https://inara.cz/elite/blueprint/223/ Multi-Cannon — Rapid Phase], Inara.</ref>
 
Tod can apply Rapid Phase through '''Grade 5'''.
 
{{Important|Rapid Phase can only be applied to compatible '''Merc Multi-Cannons''' and requires [[Merc Coin]] as part of its Engineering cost.<ref name="inara-rapid-phase" />}}
 
=== Enduring Feedback Rail Gun ===
 
'''Enduring Feedback''' increases Rail Gun mass and power draw and reduces damage in exchange for improvements to heat generation, range, ammunition capacity, and firing cycle. The blueprint also incorporates a '''Feedback Cascade''' effect.<ref name="inara-enduring">[https://inara.cz/elite/blueprint/216/ Rail Gun — Enduring Feedback], Inara.</ref>
 
Tod can apply Enduring Feedback through '''Grade 5'''.
 
{{Important|Enduring Feedback can only be applied to compatible '''Merc Rail Guns''' and requires [[Merc Coin]] as part of its Engineering cost.<ref name="inara-enduring" />}}
 
=== Double Screaming Fragment Cannon ===
 
'''Double Screaming''' increases Fragment Cannon ammunition capacity, magazine size, burst size, and reload performance, with tradeoffs including reduced range and increased mass and power draw.<ref name="inara-double-screaming">[https://inara.cz/elite/blueprint/215/ Fragment Cannon — Double Screaming], Inara.</ref>
 
Tod can apply Double Screaming through '''Grade 3'''.
 
{{Important|Double Screaming can only be applied to compatible '''Merc Fragment Cannons''' and requires [[Merc Coin]] as part of its Engineering cost.<ref name="inara-double-screaming" />}}
 
Commanders seeking Grade 4 or Grade 5 Double Screaming Engineering need [[Zacariah Nemo]] or [[Marsha Hicks]].<ref name="inara-double-screaming" />


== Experimental Effects ==
== Experimental Effects ==
To be added — not confirmed in the sources checked for this pass.


== Increasing Engineer Reputation ==
Experimental Effects are separate from the main Engineering blueprint. A compatible weapon can normally have one Experimental Effect in addition to its blueprint modification.
Reputation increases through crafting modifications at their workshop, in line with the general mechanic covered on the main [[Engineering]] page.
 
Tod can apply Experimental Effects to all four weapon types he engineers.
 
=== Multi-Cannon ===
 
Available Multi-Cannon Experimental Effects include:<ref name="inara-multicannon">[https://inara.cz/elite/blueprint/57/ Multi-Cannon — Overcharged], Inara.</ref>
 
* [[Auto Loader]]
* [[Corrosive Shell]]
* [[Double Braced]]
* [[Emissive Munitions]]
* [[Flow Control]]
* [[Incendiary Rounds]]
* [[Multi-servos]]
* [[Oversized]]
* [[Smart Rounds]]
* [[Stripped Down]]
* [[Thermal Shock]]
 
=== Rail Gun ===
 
Available Rail Gun Experimental Effects include:<ref name="inara-railgun">[https://inara.cz/elite/blueprint/62/ Rail Gun — Long Range], Inara.</ref>
 
* [[Double Braced]]
* [[Feedback Cascade]]
* [[Flow Control]]
* [[Multi-servos]]
* [[Oversized]]
* [[Plasma Slug]]
* [[Stripped Down]]
* [[Super Penetrator]]
 
=== Fragment Cannon ===
 
Available Fragment Cannon Experimental Effects include:<ref name="inara-fragment">[https://inara.cz/elite/blueprint/49/ Fragment Cannon — Efficient], Inara.</ref>
 
* [[Corrosive Shell]]
* [[Dazzle Shell]]
* [[Double Braced]]
* [[Drag Munitions]]
* [[Flow Control]]
* [[Incendiary Rounds]]
* [[Multi-servos]]
* [[Oversized]]
* [[Screening Shell]]
* [[Stripped Down]]
 
=== Cannon ===
 
Available Cannon Experimental Effects include:<ref name="inara-cannon">[https://inara.cz/elite/blueprint/43/ Cannon — Efficient], Inara.</ref>
 
* [[Auto Loader]]
* [[Dispersal Field]]
* [[Double Braced]]
* [[Flow Control]]
* [[Force Shell]]
* [[High Yield Shell]]
* [[Multi-servos]]
* [[Oversized]]
* [[Smart Rounds]]
* [[Stripped Down]]
* [[Thermal Cascade]]
 
See [[Experimental Effects]] for the effects, tradeoffs, and material costs of each option.
 
{{Field note|Experimental Effects cannot be applied through ordinary [[Remote Engineering]]. A weapon must be taken to an Engineer who works on that weapon type to have an Experimental Effect applied.}}
 
== Recommended Engineering ==
 
Tod's most broadly useful capability is his '''Grade 5 Multi-Cannon Engineering'''.
 
=== Multi-Cannons ===
 
{{Tip|'''Common general-purpose choice: Overcharged'''
 
[[Overcharged Multi-Cannon]] is a strong general-purpose option when the goal is increasing direct weapon damage.
 
At Grade 5, Overcharged substantially increases damage while increasing distributor draw and thermal load and reducing magazine capacity.<ref name="inara-multicannon" />
 
The appropriate Experimental Effect depends on the weapon's role and the rest of the hardpoint loadout.}}
 
Common Multi-Cannon Experimental Effects serve different purposes:
 
* [[Auto Loader]] allows the weapon to reload while firing.
* [[Corrosive Shell]] applies a hull-debilitating effect to the target but reduces ammunition capacity.
* [[Incendiary Rounds]] converts a substantial portion of the weapon's damage to thermal damage.
* [[Emissive Munitions]] increases the target's signature.
* [[Oversized]] provides a small additional damage increase at the cost of greater power draw.<ref name="inara-multicannon" />
 
There is no requirement to use the same Experimental Effect on every Multi-Cannon.
 
=== Rail Guns ===
 
Tod also provides all conventional Rail Gun blueprints through Grade 5.
 
[[Long Range Rail Gun|Long Range]] is useful when maintaining damage effectiveness at distance is important, while [[Lightweight Rail Gun|Lightweight]] can reduce the considerable mass of Rail Guns on mass-sensitive builds.
 
Rail Guns also have specialised Experimental Effects such as:
 
* [[Feedback Cascade]], used to interfere with Shield Cell Bank operation;
* [[Super Penetrator]], which can damage modules along the projectile's path; and
* [[Plasma Slug]], which draws ammunition from the ship's fuel supply.<ref name="inara-railgun" />
 
These effects serve specialised combat roles rather than being universally interchangeable.


== Blueprint Pinning ==
== Blueprint Pinning ==
'''Fact:''' Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn's confirmed specialties are Cannons, Rail Guns, per [[#Available Engineering|Available Engineering]] above.


'''EDFM recommendation:''' Not yet made. A pinning recommendation needs the maximum-grade and full blueprint data above filled in first — see [[Elite Dangerous Field Manual:Engineering Architecture]] for why EDFM treats pinning guidance as editorial judgement, not a database fact.
After earning sufficient reputation with Tod, one of his blueprints can be '''pinned''' for use through [[Remote Engineering]].
 
{{Tip|'''EDFM recommendation:''' [[Overcharged Multi-Cannon]] is a strong general-purpose blueprint to consider pinning at Tod.
 
Tod provides Overcharged Multi-Cannon Engineering through '''Grade 5''', and the blueprint is useful across a wide range of kinetic and mixed-weapon combat builds.


== Related Engineers ==
If Overcharged Multi-Cannon is already pinned through another Grade 5 Engineer, a frequently used Rail Gun blueprint may be a better use of Tod's pin.}}
{{Related articles|label=Related Engineers|[[Selene Jean]] [[Petra Olmanova]]}}


== Related Guides ==
Blueprint pinning should reflect the weapons and builds you actually use; there is no requirement to use the suggested pin.
{{Related articles|[[Engineering]] [[Engineer Unlock Guide]]}}
 
{{Important|A pinned blueprint does '''not''' allow you to apply Experimental Effects remotely. Weapon Experimental Effects still require visiting an appropriate Engineer workshop.}}
 
== What Tod Cannot Fully Engineer ==
 
Tod provides maximum-grade Engineering for Multi-Cannons and Rail Guns, but his Cannon and Fragment Cannon Engineering stops at lower grades.
 
His maximum grades are:
 
* '''Multi-Cannon:''' Grade 5
* '''Rail Gun:''' Grade 5
* '''Fragment Cannon:''' Grade 3
* '''Cannon:''' Grade 2<ref name="inara-tod" />
 
For higher-grade alternatives:
 
* [[Zacariah Nemo]] provides '''Grade 5 Fragment Cannon''' Engineering.
* [[Marsha Hicks]] provides '''Grade 5 Fragment Cannon''' Engineering in Colonia.
* [[The Sarge]] provides '''Grade 5 Cannon''' Engineering.
* [[Marsha Hicks]] also provides '''Grade 5 Cannon''' Engineering in Colonia.<ref name="inara-engineers">[https://inara.cz/elite/engineers/ Engineers], Inara.</ref>
 
[[Marsha Hicks]] also provides Grade 5 Multi-Cannon Engineering, while [[Etienne Dorn]] provides Grade 5 Rail Gun Engineering in Colonia.
 
Tod remains one of the most accessible maximum-grade weapon Engineers because he requires no Engineer referral and provides Grade 5 access to both Multi-Cannons and Rail Guns.
 
== What Next? ==
 
Progressing Tod's reputation opens two additional Engineer paths.
 
{{What next|title=Continue Engineering|
* '''Armour and hull reinforcement:''' [[Selene Jean]]
* '''Colonia defensive Engineering:''' [[Petra Olmanova]]
* '''Grade 5 Fragment Cannons:''' [[Zacariah Nemo]]
* '''Grade 5 Cannons:''' [[The Sarge]]
* '''Learn bounty hunting:''' [[Bounty Hunting]]
* '''Learn about bounty vouchers:''' [[Bounty Vouchers]]
* '''See the whole network:''' [[Engineer Unlock Guide]]
* '''Learn about Engineer reputation:''' [[Engineer Reputation]]
* '''Learn the system:''' [[Engineering]]
}}


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
<references />
<references />


Latest revision as of 21:24, 24 August 2026

EDFM // Engineering / Engineers

An independent starting Engineer based at Trophy Camp in Wolf 397, providing Grade 5 Multi-Cannon and Rail Gun engineering.

Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn
ENGINEER
Engineer type
Ship Engineer
System
Wolf 397
Body
Trus Madi
Facility
Trophy Camp
Specialties
Multi-Cannon, Rail Gun, Fragment Cannon, Cannon
Maximum grade
Grade 5
ACCESS
Prerequisite
None — independent starting Engineer
Discovery
None — common knowledge
Invitation
Earn more than 15 bounty vouchers
Unlock
Provide 100,000 CR worth of Bounty Vouchers

Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn is a ship Engineer based at Trophy Camp in the Wolf 397 system. He is one of the independent starting Engineers: no referral from another Engineer is required before a Commander can meet and unlock him.[1]

Tod specialises in projectile weapons. He provides Grade 5 Multi-Cannon and Grade 5 Rail Gun Engineering, along with Fragment Cannon Engineering through Grade 3 and Cannon Engineering through Grade 2.[1][2]

Field note

Tod is a starting Engineer. No prerequisite Engineer needs to be unlocked before him. His bounty-hunting requirement is what determines when he becomes available to meet.

Location

  • System: Wolf 397
  • Facility: Trophy Camp
  • Body: Trus Madi
  • Engineer type: Ship Engineer
  • Referral required: No
  • System permit required: No

Trophy Camp is a surface Engineer base on Trus Madi in Wolf 397.[3]

How to Discover Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn

Tod McQuinn's whereabouts are common knowledge. He does not require a referral from another Engineer.[1]

This makes him one of the independent entry points into the ship Engineering network.

How to Receive an Invitation

Earn more than 15 bounty vouchers.[1]

Bounty vouchers are earned by destroying ships carrying valid bounties, such as NPC ships marked Wanted after they have been scanned.

Because the current requirement is stated as more than 15, earning at least 16 bounty vouchers avoids stopping at the threshold.

Important

The meeting requirement concerns the number of bounty vouchers earned, not their total credit value. A small number of high-value bounties does not replace the required number of qualifying bounty vouchers.

See Bounty Vouchers for how bounty vouchers are earned, stored, and redeemed.

Tip

You can work on the meeting and unlock requirements together. Continue bounty hunting after meeting Tod's voucher-count requirement until you are holding at least 100,000 CR worth of bounty vouchers for the final unlock.

How to Unlock Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn

Unlock requirements summary:

  • Earn more than 15 bounty vouchers.
  • Provide Tod with 100,000 CR worth of bounty vouchers through the Engineer unlock interface.

Important

Do not redeem the bounty vouchers needed for Tod's final unlock at another station first. The required value must still be available for the Engineer hand-in at Trophy Camp.

Tip

You do not need an advanced combat ship to unlock Tod. A lower-intensity Resource Extraction Site or Navigation Beacon can provide suitable Wanted targets while allowing local security forces to assist.

For the complete step-by-step process, see Unlocking Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn.

Increasing Engineer Reputation

Reputation with Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn can be increased by:

  • crafting Engineering modifications at Trophy Camp; or
  • handing in Alliance bounty vouchers at Trophy Camp.[1]

Higher Engineer reputation gives access to the higher grades Tod supports for each blueprint.

Reaching Grade 3 access and progressing at least one-third of the way toward Grade 4 also allows Tod to provide referrals to Selene Jean and Petra Olmanova.[2]

See Engineer Reputation for how ship Engineer reputation, grade access, blueprint progression, referrals, and alternative reputation methods work.

Tip

If you intend to raise Tod's reputation through bounty hunting as well as Engineering, Alliance bounty vouchers can be handed in at Trophy Camp after he has been unlocked.

Engineer Unlock Chain

Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn is one of the independent starting points in the ship Engineer network.

After reaching Grade 3 access and progressing at least one-third of the way toward Grade 4, Tod can provide referrals to:[2]

Selene Jean subsequently leads to Bill Turner and Didi Vatermann.

The branch is therefore: 

Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn
├── Selene Jean
│   ├── Bill Turner
│   └── Didi Vatermann
└── Petra Olmanova [Colonia]

Current Engineer data independently lists Selene Jean and Petra Olmanova as being discovered through Tod McQuinn.[4][5]

Field note

A referral from Tod does not automatically unlock the referred Engineer. Selene Jean and Petra Olmanova each have additional meeting and unlock requirements of their own.

See Engineer Unlock Guide for the complete referral network.

Available Engineering

Tod's current Engineering coverage is shown below. The listed grade is the highest grade he can apply to that module.[1]

Module Available blueprints Maximum grade
Multi-Cannon
  • Efficient
  • High Capacity
  • Lightweight
  • Long Range
  • Overcharged
  • Rapid Fire
  • Rapid Phase (Live only; compatible Merc modules)
  • Short Range
  • Sturdy
 Grade 5
Rail Gun
  • Enduring Feedback (Live only; compatible Merc modules)
  • High Capacity
  • Lightweight
  • Long Range
  • Short Range
  • Sturdy
 Grade 5
Fragment Cannon
  • Double Screaming (Live only; compatible Merc modules)
  • Double Shot
  • Efficient
  • High Capacity
  • Lightweight
  • Overcharged
  • Rapid Fire
  • Sturdy
 Grade 3
Cannon
  • Efficient
  • High Capacity
  • Lightweight
  • Long Range
  • Overcharged
  • Rapid Fire
  • Short Range
  • Sturdy
 Grade 2

Tod's maximum-grade specialties are therefore Multi-Cannons and Rail Guns. His Fragment Cannon and Cannon Engineering are useful earlier in progression but stop below Grade 5.

Operations-era Engineering

Three current weapon blueprints available through Tod were introduced with the Operations-era Engineering additions.[6]

These blueprints are available only in Live and are not part of Legacy Engineering.

Rapid Phase Multi-Cannon

Rapid Phase significantly changes Multi-Cannon firing behaviour by increasing ammunition capacity, magazine capacity, rate of fire, and the number of projectiles fired while reducing effective range and increasing jitter.[7]

Tod can apply Rapid Phase through Grade 5.

Important

Rapid Phase can only be applied to compatible Merc Multi-Cannons and requires Merc Coin as part of its Engineering cost.[7]

Enduring Feedback Rail Gun

Enduring Feedback increases Rail Gun mass and power draw and reduces damage in exchange for improvements to heat generation, range, ammunition capacity, and firing cycle. The blueprint also incorporates a Feedback Cascade effect.[8]

Tod can apply Enduring Feedback through Grade 5.

Important

Enduring Feedback can only be applied to compatible Merc Rail Guns and requires Merc Coin as part of its Engineering cost.[8]

Double Screaming Fragment Cannon

Double Screaming increases Fragment Cannon ammunition capacity, magazine size, burst size, and reload performance, with tradeoffs including reduced range and increased mass and power draw.[9]

Tod can apply Double Screaming through Grade 3.

Important

Double Screaming can only be applied to compatible Merc Fragment Cannons and requires Merc Coin as part of its Engineering cost.[9]

Commanders seeking Grade 4 or Grade 5 Double Screaming Engineering need Zacariah Nemo or Marsha Hicks.[9]

Experimental Effects

Experimental Effects are separate from the main Engineering blueprint. A compatible weapon can normally have one Experimental Effect in addition to its blueprint modification.

Tod can apply Experimental Effects to all four weapon types he engineers.

Multi-Cannon

Available Multi-Cannon Experimental Effects include:[10]

Rail Gun

Available Rail Gun Experimental Effects include:[11]

Fragment Cannon

Available Fragment Cannon Experimental Effects include:[12]

Cannon

Available Cannon Experimental Effects include:[13]

See Experimental Effects for the effects, tradeoffs, and material costs of each option.

Field note

Experimental Effects cannot be applied through ordinary Remote Engineering. A weapon must be taken to an Engineer who works on that weapon type to have an Experimental Effect applied.

Tod's most broadly useful capability is his Grade 5 Multi-Cannon Engineering.

Multi-Cannons

Tip

Common general-purpose choice: Overcharged

Overcharged Multi-Cannon is a strong general-purpose option when the goal is increasing direct weapon damage.

At Grade 5, Overcharged substantially increases damage while increasing distributor draw and thermal load and reducing magazine capacity.[10]

The appropriate Experimental Effect depends on the weapon's role and the rest of the hardpoint loadout.

Common Multi-Cannon Experimental Effects serve different purposes:

  • Auto Loader allows the weapon to reload while firing.
  • Corrosive Shell applies a hull-debilitating effect to the target but reduces ammunition capacity.
  • Incendiary Rounds converts a substantial portion of the weapon's damage to thermal damage.
  • Emissive Munitions increases the target's signature.
  • Oversized provides a small additional damage increase at the cost of greater power draw.[10]

There is no requirement to use the same Experimental Effect on every Multi-Cannon.

Rail Guns

Tod also provides all conventional Rail Gun blueprints through Grade 5.

Long Range is useful when maintaining damage effectiveness at distance is important, while Lightweight can reduce the considerable mass of Rail Guns on mass-sensitive builds.

Rail Guns also have specialised Experimental Effects such as:

These effects serve specialised combat roles rather than being universally interchangeable.

Blueprint Pinning

After earning sufficient reputation with Tod, one of his blueprints can be pinned for use through Remote Engineering.

Tip

EDFM recommendation: Overcharged Multi-Cannon is a strong general-purpose blueprint to consider pinning at Tod.

Tod provides Overcharged Multi-Cannon Engineering through Grade 5, and the blueprint is useful across a wide range of kinetic and mixed-weapon combat builds.

If Overcharged Multi-Cannon is already pinned through another Grade 5 Engineer, a frequently used Rail Gun blueprint may be a better use of Tod's pin.

Blueprint pinning should reflect the weapons and builds you actually use; there is no requirement to use the suggested pin.

Important

A pinned blueprint does not allow you to apply Experimental Effects remotely. Weapon Experimental Effects still require visiting an appropriate Engineer workshop.

What Tod Cannot Fully Engineer

Tod provides maximum-grade Engineering for Multi-Cannons and Rail Guns, but his Cannon and Fragment Cannon Engineering stops at lower grades.

His maximum grades are:

  • Multi-Cannon: Grade 5
  • Rail Gun: Grade 5
  • Fragment Cannon: Grade 3
  • Cannon: Grade 2[1]

For higher-grade alternatives:

Marsha Hicks also provides Grade 5 Multi-Cannon Engineering, while Etienne Dorn provides Grade 5 Rail Gun Engineering in Colonia.

Tod remains one of the most accessible maximum-grade weapon Engineers because he requires no Engineer referral and provides Grade 5 access to both Multi-Cannons and Rail Guns.

What Next?

Progressing Tod's reputation opens two additional Engineer paths.

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn — Engineer, Inara.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Engineer Highlight, New Pilots Initiative.
  3. ↑ Trophy Camp — Station, Inara.
  4. ↑ Selene Jean — Engineer, Inara.
  5. ↑ Petra Olmanova — Engineer, Inara.
  6. ↑ Elite Dangerous: Operations — Update Notes, Frontier Developments.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Multi-Cannon — Rapid Phase, Inara.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Rail Gun — Enduring Feedback, Inara.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Fragment Cannon — Double Screaming, Inara.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Multi-Cannon — Overcharged, Inara.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Rail Gun — Long Range, Inara.
  12. ↑ Fragment Cannon — Efficient, Inara.
  13. ↑ Cannon — Efficient, Inara.
  14. ↑ Engineers, Inara.
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