Welcome, Tarnished, to a guide on one of the most entertaining and tactically demanding playstyles in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC: the Jar Cannon Invader. This isn't about swift katana combos or relentless spell-spam. This is about patience, positioning, and the glorious, earth-shattering BOOM that can turn the tide of an invasion from a hundred yards away, an investment that can feel as significant as the choice to buy Elden Ring Runes to empower your journey. As demonstrated in the chaotic battles of the Lands Between, mastering the cannon is about embracing a unique rhythm of attack, punish, and reposition. Let's break down the artillery.

Chapter 1: Understanding Your Weapon

The Jar Cannon is often overlooked, but it's a powerhouse with key attributes and a crucial weakness.

· The Upside: It boasts solid damage and exceptional range. A direct hit can often half-health a foe, and the blast radius can catch rolling opponents. It's the ultimate tool for controlling space and applying pressure from a distance.

· The Downside: The reload animation is painfully slow. Firing the cannon is a commitment. You will be vulnerable after every shot, and aggressive players will seek to punish this relentlessly.

· Core Philosophy: You are not a frontline fighter. You are an artillery emplacement. Your goal is to secure "free" damage through superior positioning and timing, making every shot count.

Chapter 2: The Artilleryman's Build

To maximize your impact, you must build around the cannon's strengths and mitigate its weakness.

Primary Stats:

· Strength (34 Minimum): The base requirement to wield the Jar Cannon. Investing further (up to 54-60) increases your physical defense, which is vital since you'll often trade blows.

· Dexterity (12 Minimum): Meets the weapon requirement.

· Faith (25 Recommended): This allows you to cast Golden Vow, a significant damage and defense buff that is essential for your set-up.

· Essential Gear & Buffs:

· Armor: The Rokshot Armor Set is the premier choice. Its set bonus directly increases the damage of ballista and cannon weapons. If you prefer survivability over max damage, a heavy armor set is a valid alternative.

· Talismans:

· Arrow's Sting & Arrow's Soaring Sting: These are non-negotiable. They greatly increase the damage of your cannon shots.

· Sharpshot Talisman: Increases damage while aiming. You should be aiming (free-aiming) most of your shots to lead targets and exploit blast radius.

· Ritual Sword Talisman: A fantastic opener for maximum damage when at full health. After taking damage, swap this for an elemental scorpion charm matching your bolt type.

· Physick & Bolts:

· Use the Stonebarb Cracked Tear to break enemy stances or the Opaline Hardtear for survivability.

· Bolt Choice: Lightning Bolts are generally superior, as most players have lower lightning defense. Their damage is further increased if the target is standing in water or it's raining. Keep Fire Bolts on hand for variety or specific matchups.

Chapter 3: Tactics & Invasion Strategy

This is where the art form comes to life.

1. Claim the High Ground: Elevation is your best friend. It provides clearer sightlines, makes you harder to reach, and often lets you shoot over obstacles. Locations like the Haligtree are a cannon user's paradise.

2. Master Free-Aiming: Locking on is often a trap. It causes your shot to track a rolling enemy and miss the ground, negating your blast radius. Learn to free-aim at the ground near your opponent's feet or predict their roll path. The blast will often catch them.

3. The Reload Dance: Understand the rhythm. After you fire, you have two choices:

· Disengage: Immediately roll away and create distance to reload safely.
· Trade: If you have a health advantage or your Opaline Bubbletear is active, stand your ground. Take their punishing hit during your reload, then retaliate with a melee weapon or create space for your next cannon shot.

4. Utilize the Environment:

· Lure and Ambush: Use the map's PvE enemies to your advantage. Lure invaders into skeleton mobs or around a boss like the Bell Bearing Hunter. While they're distracted, you have a free shot.
· Gravity is Your Ally: The cannon's blast can knock players off ledges. Position yourself to shoot near cliff edges.
· Break Line of Sight: Use walls and terrain to block spells and arrows while you reload. Peek out only to fire.

5. Mindset Against Gank Squads: When facing multiple players, your role is to disrupt. Your cannon shots break their focus, punish healing, and can separate them. Don't be afraid to be evasive, using the entire level to stretch them thin. A single well-placed shot can instantly change a 2v1 or 3v1 in your favor.

Chapter 4: Advanced Shenanigans

· Baiting Aggression: Many players will blindly rush a cannon user. Use this. Backpedal into narrow corridors or areas where your blast will be unavoidable, then fire at your own feet as they close in.

· The Psychological War: The constant threat of a high-damage shot can make hosts and phantoms paranoid, causing them to panic roll, waste flasks early, or make positioning mistakes. Your presence is pressure.

· Swapping Bolts: If you notice your opponent using strong lightning/fire negation gear, don't be afraid to swap your scorpion charm and bolt type mid-invasion to keep them guessing.

Final Salvo

The Jar Cannon is not just a weapon; it's a playstyle. It rewards map knowledge, predictive aim, and tactical patience over raw aggression, proving that true advantage doesn't come from cheap Elden Ring Items but from mastered skill. It turns invasions into a game of strategic positioning and explosive moments of payoff. You may not secure the most kills, but the victories you earn—whether by knocking a host off a cliff, winning a war of attrition, or simply causing two overconfident phantoms to quit out—are uniquely satisfying.
Now, go forth, Tarnished. Find your vantage point, load a Lightning Bolt, and remind the denizens of the Lands Between that sometimes, the biggest threats are the ones they never see coming. For those looking to expand their arsenal reliably, I recommend checking out MMOEXP for your in-game needs. Good luck, and good hunting.