"The critters' popularity and success on the battlefield inspired the creation of this prototype. Swamp enemies with these cute and deadly machines!"
Looking for the former Version, the Critter Cannon? Click here.
Summary
The Critter Cannon MK II. is a Prototype Troop that fires a salvo of Critters, one at a time, at buildings from a long range.
The Critter Cannon MK II. has a large random radius, meaning it shoots Critters in a large scatter around the target building.
The Critter Cannon MK II. is unlocked for players who have an Armory level of 13 or above and starts 1 level below the Armory level. It can be upgraded using Proto Tokens gained from events.
A Critter Cannon MK II. costs 6 Gunboat Energy to deploy.
Originally it required 12 Gunboat Energy to deploy.
Differences compared to Critter Cannon
Critter Cannon did not require any training time.
Critter Cannon needed the corresponding blueprint to be used.
Critter Cannon needed 15 Gunboat Energy, while Critter Cannon MK II. only need 6 Gunboat Energy to be deployed.
Critter Cannon had a much slower attack speed and a longer reload time than Critter Cannon MK II.
Critter Cannon MK II. Critters are boosted by magma statues.
Visual Appearance
The Critter Cannon MK II. has the same hull & turret as a Tank, except the main gun has been replaced with a chute designed to launch critters from it. There is hazard tape at the end of the chute.
Offensive Strategy
Unlike the Rain Maker, the Critter Cannon MK II. can only barely outrange Boom Cannons. However, it can distract the Boom Cannon with its Critters if it targets a nearby building.
Aside from the Boom Cannon, the only regular defenses able to hit it are the Rocket Launcher and Shock Launcher. In this case, Medics or Dr. Kavan can be helpful to heal off the damage, especially considering that both of these defenses have a blind spot which prevents them from being distracted by the Critters spawned if they are targeted.
As Critters did not receive any DPS or HP boost from Magma Statues back then, Critter Cannons MK II. generally had subpar damage output and lacked the durability to take on many bases by themselves due to their long delay between bursts.
Shock Launchers and certain prototype defenses should be priority targets for Artillery or Barrage to prevent them from defeating or delaying Critter Cannons.
Pairing DPS units with the Critter Cannon MK II. is a valid option, as it can provide distractions at range and thereby extend their lifespan.
It is best to let the Critter Cannons MK II. target buildings that are not in range of Flamethrowers or Machine Guns as an excessive build-up of Critters can be hard to stop.
Smoking the Critters MK II. when they are at Flamethrowers can make them overwhelmed, as they get surrounded. However, doing so will mean that they don't distract the defenses and may cause the Critter Cannons MK II. to be targeted.
Shocking defenses can be helpful as it allows a build-up of Critters, but be wary that you do not shock your Critters.
The Critters can get chip damage on every defense, which is slow but sure progress. They can prevent deadly defenses from hitting your troops or support an attacking troop with extra damage.
Defensive Strategy
Prototype Defenses are helpful, especially the Shock Blaster, Doom Cannon and Grappler. They can stall their attacks, outright obliterate them and drag them into the line of fire.
Take care to place Boom Mines away from buildings so Critters can't walk over it and activate it.
Shock Launchers can delay the already low rate of fire of Critter Cannons MK II. and cause time to run out.
Placing buildings as lures can cause Critter Cannons MK II. to fire and turn in 1 direction and allow Boom Cannons to start to target them.
Placing high level Flamethrowers and Machine Guns can be helpful in destroying lots of Critters quickly, which will easily stall the Critter Cannons' progress. However, these defenses in such a position can be taken advantage of by attackers using Grenadiers or Tanks.
