Unreal Tournament 3/Flak Cannon

Weapon functions

 * Primary fire shoots a cone of flak shards.
 * Secondary fire shoots a flak barrel which explodes on contact

Basic use

 * The flak cannon is the easiest weapon to get to grips with; and should be most novice's first choice weapon.
 * It is effective at close, and close to medium range.
 * Primary fire
 * has a wide scatter - so at close range most will hit. At a distance, even if you do hit a target; most of the shards will miss, and therefore damage will be minimal
 * Flak shards bounces off floor and walls, so can be used cleverly to shoot round corners. They are lethal in confined spaces.
 * Secondary fire
 * on contact with the ground or wall, it explodes
 * It causes considerable damage, and is more effective at a distance than flak primary

Tactical uses of the Flak Cannon in Onslaught

 * The flak barrels are the easiest way on foot to quickly damage stationary objects like power nodes
 * Flak shards have considerable momentum that will throw lighter Vehicles back and stop them from crushing you.
 * Flak is effective at damaging vehicles. Stepping to the side of an onrushing vehicle and using flak often works well.
 * The arc trajectory is useful to attack an area e.g. a node from behind ground cover; without exposing yourself to line of sight view of your target.

Tactical uses of the Flak Cannon in Deathmatch

 * My preferred use is to predict where my opponent will be in 3/4 of a second - and fire a flak barrel to hit that spot; then hit that same spot with a flak primary as soon as the barrel is launched. If your guess is right, both shots will hit your opposing player at the same time; which should deliver more damage than the opponent has health.  This is particularly useful if your opponent hasn't seen you.
 * By alternating primary and secondary attacks in a duel; and correspondingly moving closer or further, your opponents will have difficulty in second guessing your moves; which is always a good thing.

Counters to the Flak Cannon

 * In a close range duel; retreat.
 * Use a shock rifle to physically push your opponent further away
 * Dodge to avoid incoming shots
 * Try to control the environment so that you are aware where your opponent is; and keeping him guessing where you will be.