Is the Flak Cannon generally better than a Railgun?

[WildHodag]

I've searched on this topic and there doesn't seem to be an up to date guide explain the different turret mounts. I've been forced to get my info off of Reddit on people's opinions on this. I've also built a number of submarines using Flak Cannons or Railguns and it seems like the Flak Cannon is the clear winner. I understand that comparing them directly isn't entirely fair but in practice the Railgun kind of sucks. I have dealt with both hoards and all abyss monsters with both turrets. The Flak Cannon is comparable in damage but is easier to make ammo for and the ammo lasts longer.

edit:
I would like to add that I did read the wiki and I am aware of the raw damage numbers of both but the ammo amount and firerate, in combination, make the Flak a seemingly clear winner....

Can someone explain if I'm missing something or can you validate this?
I am honestly curious

[FourGreenFields]

Railguns have a niche that anti-aircraft cannon cannons cannot fullfill - delivering explosives. Notably nukes (via nuclear shells), dirty bombs, EMP grenades, or just standard explosives. Usefull against submarines. Also good for opening wrecks and salami. EMP grenades may be fun if you intend to support divers in a ruin. Dirty bombs for dealing with humans without causing much flooding.

Haven't used flak turrets yet, so I'm unsure how good they are at it, but definitely worse than nukes (though less costly) for sinking subs, and no way to do any of the more niche stuff (dirty bomb, EMP grenade).

[Rhapsody]

Flak doesn't have penetration. Railguns also deal more damage in a quicker burst thanks to the payload. Burst damage vs. damage per resources spent.

The sharpnel and explosion damage of flak cannons is also only rarely possible to focus on a single target, even the huge ones. Some of the secondary explosions are almost always misplaced slightly.

Ultimately it doesn't matter which large weapons you prefer so long as you can back them up with triple laserz. :)

[Dervantar]

Let me advertise a yt channel: InitialDesu.
He does really good comparisations and guides.
Here is one for the flak:
https://youtu.be/hmedC4fqXRE

[Sombra]

FourGreenFields の投稿を引用：

Railguns have a niche that anti-aircraft cannon cannons cannot fullfill - delivering explosives. Notably nukes (via nuclear shells), dirty bombs, EMP grenades, or just standard explosives. Usefull against submarines. Also good for opening wrecks and salami. EMP grenades may be fun if you intend to support divers in a ruin. Dirty bombs for dealing with humans without causing much flooding.

Haven't used flak turrets yet, so I'm unsure how good they are at it, but definitely worse than nukes (though less costly) for sinking subs, and no way to do any of the more niche stuff (dirty bomb, EMP grenade).

How exactly do you make a dirty bomb or emp shell? just loading the shell or do you have to craft it?

[FourGreenFields]

Sombra の投稿を引用：

How exactly do you make a dirty bomb or emp shell? just loading the shell or do you have to craft it?

Just load it into a railgun shell. Generally works for explosives, but not much else.

See also: All the clowns who claim that fuel rods and/or uranium increase damage.

[WildHodag]

Nice. Thanks for all the feedback. Here is what I came up with:

GENERALLY the Flak is better than the Railgun. I did underestimate how useful the Railgun can be. There is versatility with loading EMPs and as mentioned there are ways to optimize the damage.

As shown in the posted Youtube clip, The railgun needs a UEX to even compare to common place shreader ammo for the Flak. I'm confident the Railgun would perform a bit better against the Endworm and Doomworm but the Flak isn't bad against armor as seen in the Moloch portion of that clip.

The Railgun has its advantages but generally speaking, the Flak is much better. Most of what has been brought up was damage but one issue that hasn't been brought up is maintaining ammo. it is very costly to maintain resources for the Railgun and having a dedicated crew member to make ammo.

[FourGreenFields]

WildHodag の投稿を引用：

it is very costly to maintain resources for the Railgun

Eh, steel and iron are both pretty common - a lot of the stuff you find in wrecks and abandoned outposts deconstructs into it. If you're just firing standard ammo without filler against worthy targets it's not that bad.

[climbingeastofwinter]

Flak is easier to use. Railgun is more versatile and are much more help with clearing some mission objectives (clear ruins, pirates, certain nest missions where you can sail a nuke clear through to the nest).

The double coilgun is pretty much the only thing I ever want to use though, unless I have a multiplayer crew handling loading/fabrication of ammo for me.

[Rhapsody]

WildHodag の投稿を引用：

As shown in the posted Youtube clip, The railgun needs a UEX to even compare to common place shreader ammo for the Flak.

Only if the monster sits comfortably in front of the gun and never fights back. That can sometimes happen during regular gameplay, but generally speaking abyss monsters are relatively mobile and harmful to the submarine. That's why you want to finish a fight quickly and move on. A battle will not tax only ammunition resources but also medicine and other utilities.

[Yumemirareru]

Dervantar の投稿を引用：

Let me advertise a yt channel: InitialDesu.
He does really good comparisations and guides.
Here is one for the flak:
https://youtu.be/hmedC4fqXRE

Worth noting that flak has been nerfed several times in recent patches. This video may not be up to date.

WildHodag の投稿を引用：

GENERALLY the Flak is better than the Railgun. I did underestimate how useful the Railgun can be. There is versatility with loading EMPs and as mentioned there are ways to optimize the damage.

As shown in the posted Youtube clip, The railgun needs a UEX to even compare to common place shreader ammo for the Flak. I'm confident the Railgun would perform a bit better against the Endworm and Doomworm but the Flak isn't bad against armor as seen in the Moloch portion of that clip.

You may wish to check patch notes and dates before reaching this conclusion. Flak's gone through at least 2 rounds of nerfs that I remember, possibly more that I don't remember or missed (as I don't follow the notes religiously).

[Luna]

flak ♥♥♥♥♥♥ blows after the nerfs you're better off getting out of the sub and shooting at ur targets with a revolver

[Sombra]

Luna の投稿を引用：

flak ♥♥♥♥♥♥ blows after the nerfs you're better off getting out of the sub and shooting at ur targets with a revolver

Really? Glad you said this before i started rigging my sub with flak cannons. How bad are they?

[Zothen]

Im probably just old and around BT for too long, but strangely I see zero reason to use anything beside the classic coilguns and the rails. All the new weapons seem mostly gimicky to me?! Change my mind? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[FourGreenFields]

Zothen の投稿を引用：

Im probably just old and around BT for too long, but strangely I see zero reason to use anything beside the classic coilguns and the rails. All the new weapons seem mostly gimicky to me?! Change my mind? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Lasers don't use lead.

[Yumemirareru]

Zothen の投稿を引用：

Im probably just old and around BT for too long, but strangely I see zero reason to use anything beside the classic coilguns and the rails. All the new weapons seem mostly gimicky to me?! Change my mind? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Well pre-nerf the Flak gun was just a very solid workhorse, usually better for both damage and for ammo logistics.

Now though, yeah, coils + rails might be the way to go. Maybe someone will redo some tests with the current balance.