Water Cannon 101

• Reginald wrote on 2011-09-05 20:49
  [SIZE="7"]Water Cannon 101[/SIZE]
  [SIZE="5"]Squirt Guns will never be the same![/SIZE]

  
  
  Hello! This is Reginald explaining to you the basics of Water Cannon. First off, as this is an Alchemy skill, it'll have way of calculating damage. No stats effect, only the skill itself and a few other skills. 99.99% of this guide is from my knowledge. That .01% was looking up the formula, but that's about it. Enjoy!
  
  
  [SIZE="5"]Learning the Basics[/SIZE]
  Your probably asking "Water Cannon? Sounds like a giant Water Gun." Well that's semi-correct. Water Cannon is an alchemist skill that requires a Cylinder (buy it from Alchemist Stores for 2.4k) and Water Crystals (50 for 500g, 10 for 100g). With the Cylinder equipped along with some Water Crystals in your inventory, you can charge up it's power with a maximum of 5 charges for more damage, like Firebolt. Here's an example of what I mean by multiple charges.
  
  

  [video=youtube;bg9WK4ZQIQ8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg9WK4ZQIQ8&feature=youtube_gdata[/video]

  
  
  This skill also uses Stamina for each crystal charged (2-5, depending on it's current rank), and it ends up using a lot. Although, you can easily counter it with Stamina Potions. Pack a lot of them!
  
  This skill is also ranged, so you'll probably think, "I can use this to pick off enemies at far ranges and kill them quickly!" That statement is actually horribly wrong. Water Cannon's power is increased the closer you are to your target and also adds knockback range if your close enough. Use this to your advantage!
  
  
  [SIZE="5"]Obtaining the Skill[/SIZE]
  This one has no sweat or trouble involved. Simply buy a Water Crystal (amount does not matter).
  
  
  [SIZE="5"]Ranking the Skill[/SIZE]
  As you rank the skill, 4 things change with you.
  

  
  
  1. Minimum and Maximum Damage
     
  2. Stamina Used
     
  3. Charging Time
     
  4. Knockback Range
     

The Stamina used is 2 for Novice to A, 3 for 9-6, 4 for 5-2, and 5 for Rank 1. Charging Time is also reduced, like most skills that require a charge time. It starts off at a slow time of 2.5 seconds, but at Rank 9 it decreases to 2 seconds. Then at Rank 5, it becomes 1.5 seconds. This allows Water Cannon to be a lot more useful than it naturally is. From what I also tested, Knockback gets increased as you rank it. Novice to Rank 6 is it's base Knockback. It further gets increased at rank 5 and even further at 1! Again, use this advantage to help you out it close range. Helps with combos too.

The AP Cost is fairly average for most magic/alchemy type skills at a total of 152 AP for all races.

The Master Title Water Cannon Master adds 40 Stamina, but reduces 10 Mana and Max HP.


[SIZE="5"]Damage[/SIZE]
Alchemy has a different way of calculating skill damage, mainly because there are no statuses that increase Alchemy damage, but skills. Water Cannon's overall damage can by increased by a multitude of ways.

• Ranking Alchemy Mastery
  
• Ranking Water Mastery
  
• Interestingly, ranking Rain Casting
  
• Using a Water-Type Cylinder
  
• Enchants and Titles
  

So if your interested in increasing it's damage, just do what it takes. Remember that it's a fixed damage. That means maxing all of the stuff above out means you've reached the peak of damage for Water Cannon.


[SIZE="5"]Techniques[/SIZE]
The only one technique I use Is called the Rinse Cycle. Simply come up close to a monster and use a fully charged Water Cannon up close, making it knock back. Afterwards, keep using single charges when it runs towards you to continue knocking it back. This is useful if you're not confident in killing certain enemies, like Crag Cows.

[SIZE="5"]Misc. Points[/SIZE]

• Water Cannon is blocked by Ice Shield.
  
• This skill is blocked by Mana Deflector, but can nullify it if you use the skill up close.
  
• Nightmare Humanoids are not immune to Water Cannon regardless of color, but it's damage is reduced.
  
• This skill ignores the Defense Skill.
  
• Water Cannon can be dodged by Evasion (if you're doing a PvP match).
  

This has been another guide by Reginald! Like last time, feedback (whether hate or love) is accepted! If you want, send me a Private Message suggesting the next skill I should represent (I'm leaning towards showcasting unpopular skills, giving them some spotlight), if you wish to contribute!