A∙M Cannon (Final Fantasy VII)

The A∙M Cannon, also known simply as the AM Cannon, in the BradyGames guide, is a weapon for Barret in Final Fantasy VII. It can be purchased at Mideel, and has stats on-par with other weapons available there, though other weapons around the time fill different niches. It is a long range with six Materia slots in linked pairs. It can be equipped to Barret or thrown.
==Obtained==
The A∙M Cannon can be purchased from Mideel for 18,000 gil.
==Mechanics==
As the A∙M Cannon has a base Attack stat bonus of 77, the base damage for physical attacks when the A∙M Cannon is equipped is in the following formula:
:\text{Base Damage} = \text{(77 + Strength)} + \frac{\text{(77 + Strength)} + \text{Level}}{32} \times \frac{\text{(77 + Strength)} \times \text{Level}}{32}
where "Level" is Barret's current level and "Strength" is his Strength stat. The A∙M Cannon also has an Attack% (Accuracy) of 103%, and grants a +16 bonus to Barret's Magic stat.
==Use==
The A∙M Cannon is a long range weapon with stronger stats than weapons available before it. It has six linked Materia slots making it useful both for Barret's physical and magic damage. It outclasses other weapons acquired before it.
The A∙M Cannon has three sets of two linked Materia slots, allowing Barret to link Support Materia on all of them. This can be used effectively with Magic Materia or Summon Materia to take advantage of Barret's strengths as a mage; his good Magic stat (boosted by the A∙M Cannon further) and his plentiful HP allowing him to more safely equip more Magic Materia make him a good choice for this. Barret also has a good Strength stat, meaning he can be built towards physical damage and make use of Command Materia instead. Due to the number of slots, Independent Materia can be used to strengthen Barret, though it cannot benefit from Support Materia.
The A∙M Cannon is Barret's strongest weapon until acquiring the Pile Banger or Max Ray. When compared to the Rocket Punch, it deals less pure physical damage on account of having no increase to Barret's critical hit rate, and compared to the Solid Bazooka, it has two fewer Materia slots. Overall, A∙M Cannon is more well-rounded and does not hard lock Barret into a specific role unlike his other weapons
==Citations==
Category:Weapons in Final Fantasy VII