Lightning Cannon

Lightning Cannon
Specifications
Type	Electrical Arc Projector
SoldierClass	Squad Leader
Found In	The Final War (base game) Final Mission (Hangar 6 R&D)
Damage	Moderate - High - Massive (2-step charge)
Effective Range	Medium - Long
Clip Size	1/2

“	Concentrates static electricity into a deadly focuses beam. Hold (fire button/key) to charge.	”
– In-Game Description, The Bureau: XCOM Declassified

The Lightning Cannon is a weapon in The Bureau: XCOM Declassified.

Overview

The Lightning Cannon is an experimental arc projector with a built-in two-step charge capacitor that enables it to build up electrical energy up to two times to amplify its already destructive firepower. Uncharged, the Cannon deals moderate damage to any enemy within a short distance, about the same amount of punch as an M1897 Shotgun blast, though when maximized, few enemies can survive a direct hit. Charged shots also deals splash damage in a moderate radius and the resulting lightning shock can arc off of stuck enemies to hit those nearby.

Unfortunately, the Lightning Cannon suffers from poor ammo efficiency and a small capacity, holding up to 3 shots at most, with one pre-loaded into the weapon.

Tactical Info

As the Lightning Cannon can only hold so much ammo, it should be reserved for larger enemies such as Sectopods or Mutons, both Elite and regular. A max-charged shot will more often than not heavily damage a Heavy Sectopod, and outright destroying the lesser variant, and Mutons all dying from one such shot regardless of rank.

Targeting closely-knit clusters of enemies also works well as the lighting can travel between every target, damaging them all (that is, if the splash from the shot did not kill them).

Notes and Tips

Document - Lightning Cannon:

Dr Dresner,

Pursuant to your request for any and all prototype weapons to be deployed in defence of the Hanger No. 6 facility during evacuations - here is what we've got. It's a lightning cannon that - well, it's still a prototype. We've had some problems in development. I think I've fixed it, but haven't had the opportunity to test the fix.

I truly hope to see you back at the Bureau. If not, it's been a pleasure, and a challenge, working with you.

Sincerely,

- Dr. Murphy

Trivia

• It was never made clear how and why did the Lightning Cannon in the main campaign make its way onto the alien mothership in the first place (and tucked away into a secluded corner, no less).
• It can be found in the second-to-last mission, when XCOM's base is under attack. When approaching the room it is in, there is an open door that a Scientist manages to step through before being shot by the Infiltrator. Past the door, you'll find yourself on a balcony overlooking a round device with electricity arching off of it. On the far opposite corner, on the floor behind a desk, you will find the Lightning Cannon.

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