Tutorial:TNT cannons/armor

Armor is using space within the fighting machine to protect the player and the fighting machine from damage.

It is generally best to use the highest blast resistance allowed. It is preferable to use blocks that have no hit box but some blast resistance (such as fence gates) over air.

TNT vulnerable

Anti Mortar

By alternating slabs and walls vertically mortars with a prime phase intervals of one game tick can be stopped without it taking any armor away (compared to other blocks with the same blast resistance). Slabs and other blocks that are less than a block high can also help against shots that aren't fully compressed. Blocks that slow entities such as cobweb can be used to further increase the time it takes the Mortar to settle down, costing it even more delay.

Invisible

Some blocks can be invisible such as some block entities and walls (for invisible walls use the debug stick to remove all sides and set the Up-State to false).

Those blocks will still serve as armor (though TNT can pass through some of them) but they might be unexpected and can even hurt cannons.

Unmovable armor

It is generally slightly preferable to use unmovable armor so that flying machines cannot push it around.

Alternatives

Honey, powder snow and cobweb can slow the TNT down. This can be useful at times but those blocks often get destroyed before they can be effective.

Armor gaps

When enemy cannons use the fighting machine to rebound their shots, gaps in the armor can be used to make this impossible and thus preventing the enemies cannon from working as intended.

TNT resistant

Cannon resistant

Some blocks cannot be destroyed or bypassed by cannons (when they don't use exploits). Those include all blocks that cannot be replaced or moved and have a blast resistance above 9. Those blocks are usually not permitted or nerfed in fights because it is boring to shoot at something without progress.

Water

Even though water can't be destroyed by TNT, it can be replaced with sand; sand can be destroyed with TNT, so sometimes it is still allowed as armor. Water also is often allowed for sole use at launch points.

Cobblestone generators

Cobblestone generators might be considered a form of active shielding. Apart from that not much is to say about them except that they are a better version of water shielding.

Netherite

Netherite and its derivatives are indestructible for cannons. Though if it is moved, it is replaced with Block 36 (which is destructible by TNT) for a brief amount of time.

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