Cannon Review

In my opinion, scoring a kill via cannon fire is the most satisfying type of take down.  It is usually up close and personal.  "Lighting up" your opponent with cannon fire can be quite satisfying, especially since the Wingman upgrade REALLY causes the planes to light up when hit.  The best part is flying thru the fireball of what used to be your adversary. 

A kill via cannon fire is a slower process where you slowly whittle away your opponents health until he explodes.  Fighting with your cannons requires much more skill than simply firing an expensive missile at long range.  So much so that a badge for "gunslinger" is available for completing a campaign mission only with cannon fire - not an easy task!

There are 4 variables in cannon performance to consider:  Damage, Range, Heat Limit and XP Multiplier.

I value damage the most of these characteristics.  Range and cannon fire don't seem to go together very well.  Cannon fire is much more effective in a close range dogfight.  If you are fighting with an agility class plane, you probably want to gear up with better cannons than if you are fighting with a weapons or defense class plane.  The XP Multiplier allows you to gain more experience points - not very important in my opinion, especially if you reach the max level. 

Heat limit increase could come in handy to avoid locking up your cannons during campaigns perhaps if you want to spend the coin, but I wouldn't consider this an essential feature because rarely during a versus match dogfight are you locked on to your target long enough where you will overheat.

Cannon Choices:

Standard issue 20mm Vulcan:  Unlike the standard issue missile, I have a healthy respect for the standard issue Vulcan.  I have often gone with the Vulcan in versus matches and been successful.  If you are able to outmaneuver your opponent, you will be able to methodically take him down with the Vulcan nearly as effectively as the more exotic and expensive cannons.  As for campaigns and survivor matches, I always use the Vulcan as it is more than adequate for these modes.

Real photo of a Vulcan posted below.  I think that the Vulcan is the only "real" cannon on the list, but if anyone knows about any of the others, let me know!

Pict of a real life Vulcan 20mm cannon

 

Credit Purchased Cannons:

25mm Valkyrie:  The Valkyrie is available for 250 credits. At +20% Damage & +10% range, it is my favorite purchase for credit cannons and overall favorite cannon that I use the most for all versus matches.  You get extra punch that can make the difference in a close match

25mm Banshee:  I never get this cannon, mainly because as I mentioned, I don’t feel that extra range is that valuable.  I am curious if any of you have a counter opinion and would be interested to hear from you.

Coin Purchased Cannons:

In general, I almost never get the coin purchased cannons.  They just don’t seem worth the money to me and I tend to go thru ammo very quickly.  1500 rounds don’t last very long!

30mm Apollo:  If I were to pay coins for cannons, I would probably get the Apollo the most.  For 5 coins, you get a good increase in damage and the heat limit.

30mm Osirus:  Similar to the Banshee, this cannon provides that extra range if you are interested.

40mm Zeus:  The Zeus gives high damage, range and heat limits, but 10 coins seems too expensive in my opinion.  Curious if any of you have good feedback on these more expensive cannons.

40mm Hades:  In line with the Osirus and Banshee – this is the long range specialist.  Again, 10 coins?  Not so sure it is worth it.

33mm Voodoo:  This cannon is a curious choice.  Only 15% damage, but the XP multiplier is the mystery here – hopefully some of you can clarify its value and I will then update this posting.

Thanks for reading.  I will refine this posting as I learn more about the nuances of cannon fire.  Keep on firing!