Spiral Knights - What do you use your Callahan for?

What do you use your Callahan for?

11 replies [Last post]

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 00:47

Nicoya-Kitty

So I've been tossing around the idea of crafting a Callahan. I originally got a Magnus as a sidearm for T2 lockdown, but I've since switched to going for a full 4 bombs. I was rather flush with cash this evening when visiting Basil so on a lark I picked up a Mega Magnus recipe with the thought of eventually turning my poor, forgotten Magnus into a Callahan.

Thing is, I'm not really sure where it might fit in my arsenal. For Wolvers and Devilites I already have a spike shower that will soon be a DBB, so I don't really need a pierce gun for them (and I don't much like the idea of being stuck in place for any length of time when surrounded by devilites). For chromas and greavers my snarby sword works just fine.

I suppose I could add it to my arena/gremlin loadout in place of the status bomb I usually stick in the 4th slot, for pegging gremlin menders and silkwings, but that seems a rather narrow use.

It's obviously completely worthless against turrets, since I already have a gigawatt (soon to be polaris) and a Callahan would be weak against two types and neutral against one rather than strong against two and neutral against one.

I also doubt I would use it for FSC, since there's really not much in there to use it against. It's not really a gun for dealing with large mobs, and kite-and-plinking in FSC is troublesome at the best of times. Stunning vana is obviously inadvisable at best.

Piercing is, of course, the least useful damage type for both RJP and IMF, so there's no point in even considering it there, other than possibly for hitting switches in IMF.

So, are you a Callahan fan? Tell me your story.

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 01:27

Hcrud

I'[d love to see one, because

I'[d love to see one, because i havent used it before. what star-number is it?

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 01:40

Myllakka

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I have a Mega Magnus (level 10, even) that I was planning on turning into a Callahan as well, but I've passed on that recipe at Basil many times now. I think Callahan is really good for a pure gunslinger. The only other 5* pure piercing gun is Blitz, which requires you to stand still even longer. Callahan is pretty good at knocking down targets and stunning them, which makes them pretty good for Devilites and Wolvers despite the pause. I guess with VH ASI on guns using the Gunslinger sets, Callahan would be even better. I stick to my BTB and DBB as well, though.

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 01:44

Stavrosg

Beasts.

I used to use it against wolvers, until I upgraded my spine cone to DBB. I also found that the Argent Peacemaker works much better against devilites (especially for kiting overtimers around). Granted, it takes more time to do it, but the mobility you gain is exceptional.

So yes, my Callahan sits gathering dust on level 3-4[?] in my inventory. I'll probably use it again if I decide to go full gunner at some point.

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 05:34

Frozenballzz

i usually use the callahan

i usually use the callahan for t3 lockdown as a fast gun with slightly high damage to kill people running away after taking quite a beating, or when im trying to snipe pulsar spammers. outside of lockdown, i use it in my full 4-guns setup (callahan, hail/magma/storm driver, umbra driver/blackhawk (trying to level it to make the sentenza) and usually either a polaris for crowd control or a leviathan).

it works for me even with the mobility issue, since whatever the callahan bullet hits usually ends up knocking them down or stunning them, very useful /good for me to take down wolvers. plus, since i use alot of blitz needles for FSC, im used to using a gun with low mobility tbh.

though having said that, in non pure gunner setups, i think i might just go with my final flourish instead of the callahan, dunno.

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 06:47

Bopp

minor correction

Myllakka wrote: "The only other 5* pure piercing gun is Blitz"

And don't forget about Plague Needle. But I do agree Callahan seems to be used mainly by pure gunslingers. Many of them feel that Blitz/Plague is too immobilizing, especially since the mobility of Callahan was improved a couple of months ago (walk while reloading).

Nicoya-Kitty, if you're like me then you're trying different classes (swordsman, gunner, bomber) just for variety. If you try being a gunner, then Callahan steps up.

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 06:52

Angou-Saru

Pure gunslinger here using mine on beasts and devilites

Shield canceling after the first shot really helps to either bump teleporting wolvers away so you can set up for your next shot, block flying office furniture, or just dodge sooner. I also use it to interrupt and knock down gremlins, menders in particular, before moving in with my umbra driver while they're still getting up.

That said, my usual party has a bomber with a DBB and if they were to ever switch it for a Callahan, I would be very confused. When I'm not solo, all I have to do is follow them around and stay inside the bomb radius without ever needing to shield. You could still give the Magnus (3*) a try if you're interested and have the resources.

In wolver dens, I'm mainly sniping silkwings or just forcing wolvers to burrow dodge rather than bite the bomber in the back while they're charging up the next blast. Stunned wolvers are also really easy to track since you can see the stars before they come out of the ground and unless it's an alpha, there's a good chance that you can stun lock the wolver so it won't even teleport.

Also @Myllakka - The ASI I'm getting from my nameless set does make the Callahan more effective since it lets me cancel the first shot sooner. Reloading still take a bit so I still avoid firing the full clip unless I think I can get away with it.

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 07:26

Metagenic

Greavers and Silkwings

The Callahan works wonders against these enemies, try it out. Instead of running over with a BTB/FF just to get at that annoying healer, you can draw your Callahan and snipe it.

It generally fits better on a gunslinger-oriented build than a support weapon for a swordsman though.

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 09:03

Magits

Big fan of Callahan. I'm only

Big fan of Callahan. I'm only up to mega Magnus, but the damage is impressive already. Great for picking off healers, stuns proc often and can be handy againstt everything. It's also pretty fun in lockdown. I don't always carry the Callahan as I'm a bomber with dbb, (usually carrying a sword if not four bombs) but I really enjoy using it when I have it equipped. Is it the best sidearm I've ever equipped? Not sure, but I am definitely a fan. Its become a priority over finishing my Antigua line.

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 16:22

Somenubcake

pure gunslinger here

i carry my callahan in LD but i rarely use it (i blame the fact that there aren't enough people running around with a full divine set). In clockworks, I prefer the blitz needle over the callahan 99% of the time (of course, took me a while to learn how to use the blitz). the only time i took my callahan over my blitz is 1) when i know i'm with a VERY competent team (to become more of a support mode to help deal damage; this is VERY RARE as i play with randoms) or 2) i know that the only silkwings will be present (for example, RJP) or 3) when i'm playing like a noob that day (callahan is safer than blitz most of the time). i actually find the stun proc too low to be reliable (the chances of inflicting a status is not that high and you fire this gun slowly too).

back to OP:
you've got some great alternatives to the magnus. may as well keep your magnus and put upgrading it on bottom of your to-do list.

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 17:03

#10

Ween-Bot

pootis

If you're intending to try pure Gunslinger, then get Callahan. It's the best gun against Wolvers and Devilites (Blitz charges may do more damage but anything you miss will definitely hit you).

If you have CTR bonuses for bombs then DBB will probably do better though.

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 19:59

#11

Dark-Flare

^^agreed (all of the above)

I don't know how many times this has been sed (some comments are pretty long), but callahan is indeed a great sniper and pierce-damage gun. Blitz is also really good if you have a high CTR, and are competent at using it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krJtNczQ5zU&
Biohazard and Blitzneedle (for blitz fast forward a little past the jelly part)
It's good stuff :)

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What do you use your Callahan for?