Thompson submachine gun

Production information

Type

Submachine gun

Model

Technical specifications

Magazine / reload type

50-round drum magazine (SSBD)

Magazine size

50 rounds (SSBD)

Ammunition type

5.56mm rounds
Tommygun ammo (SSA)

Maximum ammunition

300 rounds (SSA)
500 rounds (Normal, Hard and Mental)
999 rounds (other difficulties)

Damage

10
12 (SSBD)

Fire mode

Automatic

Rate of fire

600 RPM

Projectile speed
Hitscan

Spread
Low

Accuracy	Range
High	Medium-long

Usage

Used by

Sam Stone

Counterparts

"Let's raise the rhythm!"

―Sam Stone^[src]

The Thompson submachine gun, or Tommy gun, (M1-A2 in Serious Sam 1 and Serious Sam HD) is a fully automatic submachine gun based on the real-world weapon of the same name. The weapon appears in many Serious Sam titles.

Overview

The Thompson is an automatic weapon that uses one bullet every time the gun is fired. The Thompson has perfect accuracy, no matter how many bullets are fired. Despite having a visible magazine, the Thompson does not have to be reloaded in most of its appearances, though it does need to be reloaded in Serious Sam's Bogus Detour. In Serious Sam 1 and Serious Sam HD, the Thompson is a replica of the original model invented by General Thompson, which has been modified to accept 5.56×45mm NATO rounds along with other standard infantry weapons.

In Serious Sam: The First Encounter, the Thompson's first secret appearance is in Sand Canyon, but its first regular appearance is at the end of Valley of the Kings.

In Serious Sam: The Second Encounter, its first appearance is in The City of the Gods, though it also has a secret appearance in Sierra de Chiapas, in the HD version of the game.

In Serious Sam Advance, the Thompson is first found in Amon Thule normally, or in the Temple of Herkat Lower via a secret.

In Serious Sam's Bogus Detour, the Tommy gun is first obtained in Knee Deep in Sand, inside an Orc base.

In Serious Sam: Double D and Serious Sam: Double D: XXL, the golden version of this weapon increases the bullet size and damage.

NETRICSA description

"Originally invented by general Thompson, this submachine gun has survived two world wars, and with recent improvements, it is back on the track. This old-timer was modified to accept 5.56mm ammo to be compatible with other standard infantry weapons, and its universal drum container can be filled with any standard ammo pack."

Tactics

Although the Thompson has perfect accuracy, the player should try to fire in bursts to avoid wasting ammunition.
The Thompson is an excellent weapon against hordes of small enemies, such as Beheaded Kamikazes or other beheaded enemies. Only two bullets are necessary to kill a single target, making larger groups little threats.
It is very effective against Scythian Witch Harpies. Because of its perfect accuracy, it can be used to decimate a flock of Harpies at long range before they get too close to the player. Even at medium or close range, it can take out a flock with little to no ammo wastage. However, when in overwhelming numbers, its rate of fire and damage output rate can be a bit frustrating, so ammo reserves permitting. The XM-214-A Minigun or the XL2 Lasergun might be a better choice.
Like the Schofield .45, the Thompson can be used to finish off wounded enemies at long range. The Thompson's much higher rate of fire compared to the Schofield is more sufficient, which is useful if the player is being swarmed by other enemies.
The Thompson is an excellent jack-of-all-trades weapon. It does a good amount of damage and has a consistent and good rate of fire. This makes it a great weapon to use with nearly any gunstack combination as either the main focus or as a supplement weapon for more powerful ones.
However, the Thompson does too little damage against strong enemies, such as adult Arachnoids, Major Bio-mechanoid and the Caterfighter. However, it is useful for doing extra damage while using stronger weapons, such as the LM32 Rocket Launcher.
The XL4 Lasergun works very well when paired with the Thompson. Both are rapid-fire weapons and their combined fire can quickly cut down weak or medium-strength enemies.
Another weapon that works well with the Thompson is the MadDog Grenade Launcher. The Thompson is useful for dealing extra damage on a target while charging up the Grenade's Launcher.
The Thompson is very useful for taking out groups of medium-strength or weak enemies, such as Methug Commanders or Beheaded Kamikazes. It has a fast enough rate of fire and does enough damage per bullet that it can wipe out a group fast enough.
It is also effective against a single stronger enemy, as the steam of bullets from the gun will constantly stun the monster, making it harmless until the player kills it.
The ammo for it is fairly common, allowing the player to use it for extended periods of time.
Minor Bio-mechanoids can also be cut down with the Thompson. Its perfect accuracy allows the player kill them at medium to long range before their lasers can hit the player. At close range, the Thompson is not as effective as other weapons, such as the Double Barrel Coach Gun.
This weapon is one of the ultimate anti-Marsh Hopper firearms. One bullet from this weapon can kill a Marsh Hopper, including Marsh Hoppers that appear via secrets. With burst fire, the player can destroy hordes without a problem. Sidestepping and firing at hordes of Marsh Hoppers is even more effective, as the player can reduce the risk of being hurt by their jumping attack, and also mow down dozens of them at the same time.

Related achievements

Serious Sam Fusion

File:I love my thompson.png

I love my Thompson

Kill 200 Enemies with the Thompson Submachine gun.

Behind the scenes

The Thompson does not appear in Test 1. All its appearances are replaced with the XM-214-A Minigun.

Trivia

The Thompson has a different, slightly improved model in the Xbox version of Serious Sam 1. The HD version is based on the Xbox model, as opposed to the classic First Encounter version.
The M1-A2 Thompson is a fictional weapon, albeit loosely based on an accurate model.
In Serious Sam 1, Sam does not hold the front grip in first-person mode. This is fixed in Serious Sam HD.
The Thompson uses the same firing sound as the M29 Infantry Assault Rifle in Serious Sam's Bogus Detour.