Theoretically, the operation of the ion cannon is quite simple. Magnetically and statically charged metal plates are used to attract charged particles from the solar wind and store them in a container. When firing, an accelerated burst of electrons is used to "soften" the atmosphere above the target and create a highly charged environment (i.e., stormy weather). When this preparation process is complete (which takes only a few seconds), the particle accelerator launches a highly concentrated beam of ions to saturate the target area, which is subjected to a combination of the heat of small-scale nuclear fusion and a large amount of subatomic radiation.

The immediate effect of the attack is that the metal at the center of the explosion will instantly vaporize, causing severe damage to nearby concrete buildings (due to the impact of the attack on the steel bars inside the building), as well as fatal damage to living organisms. Despite its high level of destruction, this weapon has little long-term effect and is extremely safe, efficient, and accurate. However, these are built on the extremely high cost and sophistication of weapons. A total of three ion cannon weapon systems were launched into orbit in front of and behind, and DI's military analysts speculated that if all three ion cannons were operational, the war between Nod and GDI could end a few months sooner.

Collapse the note

Compared with the particle cannon in CCG, the two can be said to be close relatives, very close. As we all know, ions are also a kind of particle, so the ion cannon is also a kind of particle cannon. The principles are relatively similar, but the tools and means of implementation are different (referring only to the weapon systems in the two works). In terms of raw materials, the ion cannon collects endless "ammunition" directly from the solar wind (the operating energy is also derived from solar energy), so most of the ions are cations/protons of hydrogen, which is why the ion beam emits a brilliant blue color after entering the atmosphere; The particle cannon may theoretically emit particles far more than hydrogen ions, and to a certain extent, it can also be replaced with different "bullets" according to actual needs (depending on the design strength and scientific level), of course, raw materials also need to be supplied by themselves. In terms of launchers, there is no doubt that there is a difference between space-based and ground-based between the two, the design of the ion cannon is much more compact, showing the extremely advanced technological level of its time, while the particle cannon has a super-large underground supply system; The ion cannon obviously uses a linear particle accelerator, while the particle cannon does not rule out the possibility of using a ring accelerator; The beam trajectory of the ion cannon is a straight line hit (there is also the possibility of a certain arc under the action of the geomagnetic field), while the particle cannon has to pass through the atmosphere no less than 1 satellite reflection and at least 2 times. In terms of lethality, the ion cannon will undergo obvious small-scale hydrogen fusion, which has some of the characteristics of nuclear weapons, but does not have any permanent environmental destruction; If the particle cannon uses elemental particles that are more easily available, it basically only uses the huge kinetic energy of the particle stream and the heat energy converted into it to exert a killing effect. The duration of the Ion Cannon is shorter, but not so short that it is fleeting like lightning, and still has the potential to last and travel for a short period of time, while the Particle Cannon's apparent ammo is much more sufficient, and a single preparation can sustain a huge beam for more than 15 seconds; Finally, the ion cannon has a stronger charge exchange with the atmosphere as mentioned above, which can lead to stormy weather, which is rarely the case with particle cannons.

Collapse the discussion of the name

It was argued that it would be more appropriate to rename the ion cannon to the proton cannon according to the principle of attack. In fact, this is not true, because the ion cannon attack releases not only hydrogen ions such as cypon (the most common isotope of hydrogen, which does not contain neutrons in the nucleus), but also some deuterium (one neutron in the nucleus) and tritium (two neutrons in the nucleus). Therefore, the name of the ion cannon is correct, and the name of the proton cannon is narrow and unworthy of the name.

Collapse code

NP Standard Edition

[IonCannonSpecial]

UIName=Name:IonCannon

Name=IonCannon

IsPoered=false

RechargeTime=4

Type=IonAction

Action=Ion; To register the mouse

SidebarImage=IONCICON

ShoTimer=no

DisableableFromShell=no

Mind Control Edition

UIName=Name:IonCannon[IonCannonSpecial]

Name=Ion Cannon

IsPoered=true

RechargeTime=7.2

Type=NeDominator

Action=IonCannon; To register the mouse

SidebarImage=IONCICON

ShoTimer=no

DisableableFromShell=no

Range=3

LineMultiplier=3

AIDefendAgainst=no

DomCaptureAll=no

DomCaptureBuildings=no

DomFirstAnim=IONBEAMALL

DomSecondAnim=IONRING

DomFireAtPercentage=90

DomCaptureRange=1

DomCapture=no

DomDamage=600arhead=IonCannonH

ActivateSound=IonCannonSupereapon

Lighting=yes

LightRed=100

LightGreen=0

LightBlue=100

LightAmbient=120

LightGround=0

LightLevel=0

LightAmbientChangeRate=1

Lightning Storm Edition

arhead=IonCannonH is missing

ActivateSound=IonCannonSupereapon

Lighting=yes

LightRed=100

LightGreen=0

LightBlue=100

LightAmbient=120

LightGround=0

LightLevel=0

LightAmbientChangeRate=1

Lightning Storm Edition

Not available