Alright, buckle up. We’re diving into the explosive world of cannons. Yes, cannons. From pixelated projectiles to historical behemoths, we cover it all. I know your attention span is short, so we’ll keep it snappy. Think of this as your crash course in cannons with a bit of gaming geekery.
Terraria’s Tiny Terror: The Bunny Cannon
Let’s start with weaponized cuteness. The Bunny Cannon from Terraria is iconic. Don’t let the name mislead you; this isn’t a cuddly toy. It’s a weapon, and it fires… bunnies.
Firing Up the Fluff: How to Unleash a Bunny Barrage
You’ve got a Bunny Cannon. Congratulations, you’re close to turning fuzzy creatures into missiles. But how do you actually fire it? It’s not rocket science. Well, maybe bunny science? Nonetheless, it’s straightforward.
To fire the cannon, you need ammunition. The ammo here is the Explosive Bunny. Yes, that’s correct. Terraria takes “weaponized wildlife” to another level.
Bunny Ballistics: How Does This Thing Even Work?
Let’s get into how the Bunny Cannon works in Terraria. It’s not about cramming bunnies into a tube and hoping for magic (though that idea is funny). The Bunny Cannon launches Explosive Bunnies, and they are not normal rabbits.
When you fire it, the cannon propels an Explosive Bunny forward. Upon impact—with a monster, wall, or ground—the bunny explodes. Think of it as a furry grenade. Except, bunnies may be cuter than grenades.
Explosive Bunnies: Ammunition Acquisition and Arsenal
Now, about those Explosive Bunnies. “How do you get one?” you ask. You can’t find them hopping around pre-exploded. You must craft them, and this process is Terraria genius. You need a Bunny—not an explosive one. Don’t worry; these are digital bunnies.
Get a Bug Net; any net works. Find a bunny in grassy areas and give it a gentle *digital* swat with the net. Boom! Bunny acquired. Once caught, these bunnies become items in your inventory. You may even release them as critters around your base. They’ll wander like any critter, unaware of their explosive potential.
To turn the innocent bunny into a projectile of bunny-bomb goodness, simply use the bunny as ammunition. No crafting needed for it to be explosive. The name “Explosive Bunny” describes its function when paired with the Bunny Cannon, not its inherent properties. It’s straightforward even for Terraria, which can be wonderfully confusing.
Cannons: The Real-World Boomsticks
Let’s return to real-world cannons, not pixelated rabbits. The Bunny Cannon is cool, but it’s based on a long history of real cannons. These machines hold earth-shattering power.
Igniting the Inferno: Cannon Firing Mechanisms
How does a giant tube hurl projectiles? Historically, several methods exist. Let’s explore classic firing mechanisms.
Rope, Friction, and Fire: The Friction Primer Method
Imagine you’re beside a massive cannon. You have gunpowder, your projectile, and respect for things that explode. How do you set off a cannon? One way used an old friction primer and a rope.
The process is simple, at least in concept. Attach the rope to the friction primer mechanism. It sparks when friction is applied. Stand back for safety and pull that rope vigorously. The friction primer activates, igniting the gunpowder in the cannon’s breech.
Then kaboom! Expanding gases from burning gunpowder propel the projectile loaded inside the barrel. It’s like a gigantic firework without pretty colors—just devastation if aimed correctly.
Sparking the Powder Keg: Direct Ignition
Another method to ignite the gunpowder uses direct sparks. Again, the idea remains the same: spark + gunpowder = big boom. Instead of a friction primer, use a different sparking mechanism—think of it as a robust lighter for gunpowder.
You’d likely use rope or lanyard to trigger that spark from a safe distance. Nobody wants to stand next to the touchhole when it goes off. Pulling the rope ignites the powder, and the projectile launches. Simple, effective, and historically accurate.
“Give Fire!”: The Command of Boom
During military settings, firing a cannon requires more than yanking a rope. There’s a formal process with commands. One iconic command? “Give Fire!”.
Picture the Gun Captain in charge of a cannon or gun crew. They check everything: aim, area clear (as much as possible), and it’s time to send some iron flying. Once it’s deemed safe to fire, the Gun Captain shouts: “GIVE FIRE!”. It’s the signal for the crew to start the firing sequence using their cannon mechanism.
The Arsenal Essentials: What You Need to Make a Cannon Roar
Firing isn’t only about firing mechanisms. Key ingredients make the explosive recipe work. Think of it as making a loud and destructive cake. You need the right components.
Gunpowder: The Soul of the Boom
First, you need gunpowder. This is the cannon’s heart and soul of destruction. In classic form, gunpowder mixes sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate. When ignited, it burns quickly, producing vast amounts of hot gas. This rapid expansion propels the projectile from the cannon with power.
As historical sources state, “I attach the rope and pull it, causing a spark that ignites the bag of gunpowder.” There you have it. Gunpowder transforms cannons into instruments of… well, let’s call it “forceful persuasion.”
Projectiles: From Cannonballs to Shells
Gunpowder alone isn’t destructive without something to propel. Projectiles play that role. Historically, cannons have fired various projectiles for different purposes.
Cannonballs: Classic cannon projectiles. Solid spheres of iron or stone designed to smash through fortifications or ships. Simple and effective.
Shells: These are advanced compared to cannonballs. “Shells are hollow with a gunpowder charge inside.” Unlike cannonballs, they explode. Essentially flying bombs that detonate via a timed fuse upon firing or impact, maximizing damage and often igniting fires.
to set fires. Sometimes, you want to watch things burn from a safe distance.
For modern rifled cannons, projectiles have different shapes. Rifled cannon fire bullet-shaped projectiles. Rifling’s spiral grooves add spin to the projectile, stabilizing it in flight. This increase in accuracy helps the projectile’s range. Bullet-shaped projectiles are more efficient.
In gaming worlds like Terraria, Cannonballs are fired from Cannons. The player holds a Cannonball, clicks the Cannon. This consumes a Cannonball and fires it. Clicking left auto-fires the cannon rapidly. Simple and effective for pixelated warfare.
Timed Fuse: Setting the Boom Clock
For shells to explode effectively, timing is key. Shells are hollow and filled with gunpowder. A timed fuse ignites the powder when the gun fires. This fuse is crucial. It’s a slow-burning material ignited by firing the cannon.
The fuse length is calibrated. It ensures the shell explodes at the right point. The explosion can occur in the air above the target, upon impact, or after a distance. Fuse technology has evolved over the centuries. It started from simple match cord to reliable designs. The basic principle remains: start a fire to achieve a bigger explosion at the right moment.
The Cannon Kickback: Recoil and Newton’s Revenge
Ever seen a cannon fire? The cannon moves back, often violently. This is recoil, a fundamental principle: Newton’s Third Law and conservation of momentum.
A cannon recoils backward when fired due to conservation and Newton’s Third Law, which states every action has an equal and opposite reaction. It’s physics at work.
Action and Reaction: Newton’s Third Law
Newton’s Third Law is essential. When a cannon fires, it exerts a force on the cannonball, moving it forward. Simultaneously, the cannonball exerts an equal and opposite force on the cannon, moving it backward. Each force has an equal counterpart acting in the opposite direction.
Momentum Conservation: Keeping the Balance
It’s not just forces; it’s about momentum. Before firing, both cannon and cannonball are at rest. The total momentum of the system is zero. Momentum is mass in motion, an object’s mass multiplied by its velocity.
When the cannon fires, the cannonball gains momentum forward. The explosion gives it velocity, creating forward momentum. To keep total momentum at zero, the cannon must gain equal and opposite momentum, resulting in backward movement. The cannon’s recoil is simply a reaction.
Since the cannon is heavier than the cannonball, its recoil velocity is less. But momentum, mass times velocity, remains equal and opposite. Therefore, the total momentum stays zero. Physics: 1, Stationary Cannons: 0 unless anchored.
Aiming High (or Not): The Optimal Firing Angle
Do you want to hurl a cannonball far? The optimal angle for that is 45 degrees.
Physics textbooks suggest achieving maximal distance requires a firing angle of 45 degrees. In a perfect world, with no air resistance, a flat trajectory yields maximum range from level ground.
Yet reality complicates things. Air resistance and terrain affect true optimal angles. Still, 45 degrees is a good rule for physics problems or launching bunnies in Terraria.
Accuracy? Historical cannons had low precision. They could attack Paris but lacked pinpoint targeting. Historical cannons operated like area-effect weaponry. Luck and fire volume mattered more than accuracy. So, maximum range does not equal maximum accuracy.
Cannon Shot Rule: Claiming Coastal Territory by Boom
Ever claimed land by firing a cannon? It sounds like pirate logic. Yet, there’s a real “cannon shot rule.” This principle involves national control over coastal waters.
The “cannon shot rule” suggested control over coastal waters extended to the range of shore-based cannons, about 3 nautical miles. This principle became less relevant over time. Essentially, if your cannon could hit it, you controlled it. Seventeenth and eighteenth-century disputes often revolved around artillery.
Boom Boundaries: Setting Maritime Limits
In the 17th and 18th centuries, nations defined maritime boundaries based on cannon reach from shore. Imagine diplomacy decided by cannon range. “How far can your cannons reach?” “About three nautical miles.” Thus, that became territorial limits.
Range as Rule: The Reach of Power
The “cannon shot rule” asserted that a nation’s territorial waters extended as far as its cannons could reach. This approach was crude yet practical for defining maritime boundaries. A nation’s power projection measured in cannon range.
The 3-Mile Limit: A Cannon-Derived Standard
This principle roughly corresponds to a 3-nautical-mile limit from land, which became the standard for defining territorial waters. Its roots in cannon fire shaped maritime law. Next time you see a 3-mile limit, remember its connection to cannon usage. Who knew?
Ammunition Variety: Beyond Cannonballs
Cannons have diverse ammunition types. In Terraria, there are Greatbolts designed for Ballista weapons.
Greatbolts: Ballista Bolts and Their Brethren
Ammunition includes Greatbolts such as Ballista Bolt, Bone Ballista Bolt, Explosive Greatbolt, Lightning Greatbolt, and Rabbath’s Greatbolt. In Terraria, these bolts work with Ballista weaponry.
Rabbath’s Greatbolt implies a unique projectile with enhanced damage traits. This variety in Greatbolts allows for diverse tactical approaches in combat, depending on players’ strategies. Choosing the right projectile is crucial for defeating foes or challenging bosses.
The Best Angle for Boom: Re-Examining 45 Degrees
The discussion of the optimal firing angle merits reiteration. Physics textbooks argue that the best angle for maximal distance is 45 degrees. This scenario represents an ideal, perfect conditions without air resistance.
The accuracy of the cannon varied, enabling attacks but with little precision.
Precision matters. Physics books claim that 45 degrees is the best firing angle for max distance. But history tells a different tale. Cannons often prioritize accuracy over range. You might achieve max distance, but hitting a target? That is trickier. Wind, projectile variations, and basic aiming systems complicate long-range shots.
Cannon Legality: Boomsticks and the Law in the US
Want a cannon? Maybe for historical reenactments or just for fun? Good news: It’s legal to own a cannon in the US. That’s right. You can own a cannon, both muzzle-loading and modern breech-loading types.
Here’s a twist: “If it loads from the muzzle and uses black powder it isn’t even legally a gun!” Muzzle-loading cannons using black powder are not classified as firearms under US federal law. They’re seen as antiques or replicas, not modern weapons. If you dream of owning a cannon, check if you have space and resources for one. Remember to aim responsibly.
Terraria’s Arsenal: Beyond the Bunny Cannon
Terraria offers a variety of weapons and items, beyond just the Bunny Cannon. Let’s explore some unique weapons, linked to projectiles and general chaos.
Chain Gun: Rate of Fire Rampage
Need rapid-fire power? The Chain Gun is ideal. “The Chain Gun is a Hardmode, post-Plantera Gun and is the fastest gun by rate of fire.” If you want rapid bullets, this is the top choice. It’s available after defeating the Plantera boss in Hardmode.
“It has a 50% chance of not consuming Ammunition and fires in random directions with a 30-degree spread.” The Chain Gun is efficient with ammo, but it lacks accuracy. With a 30-degree spread, bullets fan out; it’s a shotgun experience at machine-gun speed.
Bananarang: The Boomerang with Bite
Boomerangs are fun. The Bananarang adds a unique twist. “The Bananarang is dropped by the Clown during Blood Moon with a 1/10 (10%) chance.” Defeat Clowns during Blood Moons for a shot at this weapon. You’ll need some luck due to its drop rate.
“Its best modifier is Godly or Demonic.” Both those modifiers enhance damage output similarly. If your critical strike chance is already high, consider Ruthless for extra damage boost. Choose wisely for effective combat.
Bunny Pet: Pocket-Sized Pal
Want a non-explosive bunny friend? Terraria offers the Bunny pet. “The Carrot summons a Bunny pet and is exclusive to the Collector’s Edition.” Use the Carrot to get your Bunny companion.
“The bunny’s fur color matches the character’s shirt color.” Change your character’s shirt, and your Bunny’s hue changes too. A fun touch to keep things stylish.
Nail Gun: Sticky Explosions
Need to smash your opponents? The Nail Gun can help. “The Nail Gun is a Hardmode, post-Plantera launcher weapon that uses Nails as ammunition.” This weapon fires Nails as projectiles and sticks to enemies.
“When a Nail hits an enemy, it deals 15% damage and sticks before exploding after 1.5 seconds.” It deals bonus damage after sticking, creating chaos among foes. Use it wisely for maximum effect.
Wand of Sparking: Early Magic Mayhem
Looking for magic early on? The Wand of Sparking is perfect. “You can find or buy it from the Skeleton Merchant during a third quarter moon.” It’s easy to obtain, either through chests or from the Merchant.
“It drops from surface or underground chests.” Check both types of chests while exploring. The Merchant appears during specific moon phases, so plan ahead to get this weapon.
Rabbath’s Cannon: Greatbolt Gatling
Rabbath’s Cannon uses Greatbolts for ammo. “Any type of Greatbolt can be used, such as Ballista Bolt or Explosive Greatbolt.” This weapon offers flexibility in ammunition type. Choose bolts for different effects in battle.
Zenith: The Pinnacle of Swords
The ultimate sword in Terraria is Zenith. “Zenith Type Weapon Critical chance 14% Use time 30 (Average) Velocity 32 (effective) Rarity 10*” High chances and average speed make it highly coveted. Seek this weapon for top-tier performance.
Gold Bunny: Rare Rabbit Riches
Bunnies can be more than pets; they can also be gold. “The Gold Bunny is a harmless Critter with a rare chance of spawning.” It’s a recolor of an ordinary Bunny with low spawn rates of 0.25% to 0.67%.
“It cannot spawn from a Bunny Statue but can be caught with a Bug Net and sold for 10.” A shiny bunny can earn you gold coins. Keep an eye out for this special critter.
Human Quack: Duck Sound Surprise
Terraria has unique quirks. Like ducks quacking like people? “There is a 1/300 (0.33%) chance that a duck’s quack will be replaced by a human voice.” A little hilarious detail that adds charm to the game.
Lepus: Easter Boss Bunny
Let’s discuss Lepus, the boss bunny. “Lepus is a pre-Hardmode boss that can be summoned anytime using the Suspicious Looking Egg.” This egg drops from Lepus and other special bunnies during Easter events.
“His body is round with two back legs, a diabolical face & two protruding bunny ears.” Lepus has a strange appearance. Round body, back legs, and unusual features make this boss memorable. Prepare for a quirky battle ahead.
embraced evil. That’s Lepus.
Best Pets: A Menagerie of Minions
Terraria offers many pets. Some pets stand out more than others in terms of style. “Notable pets are Alien Skater, Baby Ogre, Destroyer-Lite, Eater of Worms, and Everscream Sapling.” These pets earn their status from their unique looks and animations.
These pets gain praise for their colorful styles and the enjoyment they bring. It’s a matter of taste, but many view these pets as exciting and fun companions. They form a mini-collection of pixelated friends.
Fuzzy Carrot: Rideable Rabbit Romp
Want to ride a giant bunny? You do. The Fuzzy Carrot allows this fun. “Fuzzy Carrot Type Mount summon Tooltip Summons a rideable Bunny mount Rarity 08*” This item summons a Bunny mount, marked with a rarity of 08 stars. “Sell 5 Research 1 required 1 more row” (Sell value and research needs for duplication).
Xenopopper: Martian Missile Mayhem
From bunnies to aliens. The Xenopopper is a weapon from the Martian Invasion event. “To obtain the Xenopopper in Terraria, participate in a Martian Invasion event and have a 1 in N chance to receive it from a Martian Scientist after defeating the Martian Madman.”
It drops from Martian Scientists during the invasion. This event occurs after defeating specific bosses, like the Golem. “You must get detected by a Martian probe to begin the event.” Triggered when detected by a Martian Probe. “Defeating Martian Scientists, who appear during the event, allows a chance to drop the Xenopopper.” Fight those scientists for a shot at the Xenopopper.
Killer Bunny: Command-Line Carnage
Want a more aggressive bunny? Meet the Killer Bunny. “The Killer Bunny can be spawned using the /summon rabbit ~ ~ ~ {RabbitType:99} command.” It appears through command input.
