Gauss Cannon

"While it has high damage potential, the concentrated beam of the Gauss Cannon demands accuracy from the user."

- Arsenal description

The Gauss Cannon is a powerful and incredibly accurate weapon that fires steel flechettes (metal spikes essentially) at extremely high velocities using a magnetized chamber. Most enemies can be killed with one shot, though larger enemies, such as the Cacodemon and Baron of Hell, require more shots to kill.

Campaign
"The Gauss accelerator design has been used by the UAC as the basis for numerous industrial projects over the years - such as the Argent Tower itself, and the Ore Diggers on Deimos and Phobos. With very few moving parts, the Gauss Cannon makes a reliable, powerful weapon. By accelerating steel flechettes through a magnetized chamber, extremely high velocities can be achieved. The weapon has near perfect accuracy thanks to the aerodynamic design of the projectiles. Ammunition is cheap and readily available, and is designed to maintain its composition when passing through organic material. The Gauss Cannon has a noticeable kick that must be compensated for by the operator."

- Codex Entry

Ammunition
The Gauss Cannon shares its ammo pool with the Plasma Rifle. The player can increase his max ammo cap by using Argent Cells and allocating its power to "Ammo" subsystem.

Precision Bolt
"A standard telescopic sight can be placed on the Gauss Cannon, allowing for even greater accuracy at long ranges with this precise weapon. While using the scope, the operator can accumulate additional magnetic charge within the launch chamber, which when released will fire the flechettes at an even greater speed. When fully charged, a functional flechette is almost unstoppable, and will pass through multiple targets."

- Precision Bolt Codex Entry

Siege Mode
"This modification adds an Argon Gas Ionizer to the weapon. When initiated, the launch chamber is vacuum sealed as Argon gas is ionized until it forms plasma. When the Argon has been fully ionized, the chamber is opened and a plasma beam is ejected from the weapon. Due to the precise nature of this modification's operation, safety valves prevent the weapon from discharging until the Argon has been fully ionized. The operator must also remain stationary during charging due to the volatile nature of freeing electrons from the gas. Upon successful release, the plasma beam will penetrate multiple targets and produce a concussive blast at the final point of impact."

- Siege Mode Codex Entry

Multiplayer
The Gauss Cannon is one of the 3 Power Weapons in Multiplayer. In this mode, it has 4 shots and ammo cannot be replenished. As with the BFG 9000 and the Chainsaw, the Weapon Mod allows the user to see enemies through walls. The weapon does 150 damage.

Trivia

 * Despite the name erroneously designating it as a coilgun, the Gauss Cannon is actually a portable railgun, with mechanics similar to the Railguns of the Quake series.
 * On the side of the weapon, it reads "Try Not To Die When Firing This Beast."
 * The Gauss Cannon's recoil can be used to the player's advantage, launching you in the air as far as a double jump, and launching you even farther if you're moving backward.
 * This method is similar to the rocket-jump technique from the Quake series.
 * It also is similar to Tau-jumping from Half-Life.