Cog Battle Strategies

This section was created to be a guide to all novice toons who need advice on battling strategies. Whether you’re confused about which gag you should use in a particular situation, or just can’t seem to defeat that tough cog building or Mint, this should provide you with all the answers you need.

Tactics

Before you begin battling professionally, you must conclude which strategy best suits the situation.

Toon-Up Prioritization

Most obviously the method focusing on keeping the team to top Laff

Advice

- Load as many Toon-Ups as possible - Wait until one or more team members are down at least 10 laff points, then utilize the proper Toon-Up - During your standby phase, attack accordingly with Throw, Squirt, or Sound - It is recommended that you have obtained at least the Bamboo Cane

Trap Coordination

An optional stratagem that presides over the setting of Traps

Advice

- Trap is your first priority, remember this - Again, make use of a backup track on standby - Remember to check which cog you are trapping if there is more than one trapper, so as to avoid trap wasting - To be a proficient Trap Coordinator, you must’ve at least reached Quick Sand, preferably Trap Door

Lure Specialization

An important, yet not required, strategy for a battle sequence

Advice

- A successful battle begins with strong luring - If a Trap is set, lure the trapped cog - Keep ALL cogs lured at ALL times, if a cog breaks away, re-lure him - There should only be one Lure Spec. - In your standby phase, attack with a backup track - A recommended level of experience would be at least Big Magnet

Sound Prioritization

One of the three vital tactics in a battle sequence

Advice

- Sound is your leading priority, employ it often - DO NOT use Sound if the team is planning to Lure, then attack with Throw or Squirt - It is best that you combine Sound attacks within a round

Throw Specialization

One of the three vital tactics in a battle sequence

Advice

- This is usually a recessive role in battling - Only employ Throw if others do as well - ALWAYS attack the same cog with Throw if a lure is active - Only use what is necessary to kill a cog, overusing gags is often frowned upon - Think about your choice of attack methods, it can always be solved with a little common sense.

Squirt Specialization

One of the three vital tactics in a battle sequence

Advice

- This is usually a recessive role in battling - Only employ Squirt if others do as well - ALWAYS attack the same cog with Squirt if a lure is active - Only use what is necessary to kill a cog, overusing gags is often frowned upon - Think about your choice of attack methods, it can always be solved with a little common sense.

Drop Coordination

A less-common approach that will serve you well with a strong strategy

Advice

- You must know what you’re doing when you attack with Drop; it cannot be used untrained - Do not use Drop on Lured cogs - Do not use Drop on a cog unless you know it will be stunned by someone else - It is advised that you wait until Anvil before frequently employing it

Proper deployment of each of the above strategies is the key to a swift victory. Now, if you refuse to accept any of the above tactics for battle, there’s always the Improvisational Strategy. It will get you through most of the time, but is flawed and can backfire at times. It is quite common, and many very accomplished toons will say it is the most expert approach to battling. But one way or another it has failed, whether it involved a lack of organization, or simply relying on luck and instinct. Therefore, the top strategists would recommend planning before initiating an assault.

Algorithms

Before you head out, there are a few formulae you must understand.

Cog Vitality: (L+1) X (L+2) L = Cog Level

Ex. Level Four Cog: (4+1) X (4+2)

                       5 X 6 
                        = 30

   Level Eight Cog: (8+1) X (8+2)
                        9 X 10
                         = 90

   Level Twelve Cog: (12+1) X (12+2)
                         13 X 14
                           = 182

Lure Damage: 1.5D D = Regular Damage

Ex. Whole Fruit Pie: 1.5 X 27 = 41 Final Damage

   Seltzer Bottle: 1.5 X 21 = 32 Final Damage
   Whole Cream Pie: 1.5 X 40 = 60 Final Damage
   Fire Hose: 1.5 X 30 = 45 Final Damage
   Birthday Cake: 1.5 X 100 = 150 Final Damage
   Storm Cloud: 1.5 X 80 = 120 Final Damage

STAB; Same-type Attack Bonus: (A+B+C+D)/5 A, B, C, and D = Regular Gag Damage

Ex. Elephant Trunk + Fog Horn: (21+50)/5

                              71/5
                              14 = Extra Damage
                              85 = Total Damage

   Whole Fruit Pie + Whole Cream Pie + Birthday Cake: (27+40+100)/5
                                                      167/5
                                                      33 = Extra Damage
                                                      200 = Total Damage

   Anvil + Anvil + Safe + Grand Piano: (30+30+60+170)/5
                                       290/5
                                       58 = Extra Damage
                                       348 = Total Damage

Hypothetic Battle

An example sequence should clarify any other confusion about battling.

Target: 4 Story Cashbot Building Toon Laff: 85, 80, 80, 95

Floor I: Vs. Level 9 Loan Shark (110)

Round One:

Toon 1: Fruit Pie (27) Toon 2: Fruit Pie (27) Toon 3: Fruit Pie (27) Toon 4: $10 Bill

Standard Damage: 81 Lure Bonus Applied: 122 STAB Applied: 146

Remaining Vitality: 0

Round One Complete Floor I Complete

Floor II: Vs. Level 10 Robber Baron (132), Level 9 Number Cruncher (110)

Round One:

Toon 1: Fog Horn (50) Toon 2: Trap Door (70) Toon 3: Trap Door (70) Toon 4: Hypno-Goggles

Remaining Vitality: 12, 0

Robber Baron: Tee Off Target: Toon 1 Results: -14 Laff

Round One Complete

Round Two:

Toon 1: Seltzer Bottle Toon 2: Lipstick Toon 3: Pass Toon 4: Pass

Remaining Vitality: 0

Round 2 Complete Floor II Complete

Floor III: Vs. Level 11 Loan Shark (156)

Round One:

Toon 1: Cream Pie (40) Toon 2: Fruit Pie (27) Toon 3: Fruit Pie (27) Toon 4: $10 Bill

Standard Damage: 94 Lure Bonus Applied: 141 STAB Applied: 169

Remaining Vitality: 0

Round Two: Vs. Level 8 Number Crunchers x2 (90) (90)

Toon 1: Elephant Trunk (21) Toon 2: Elephant Trunk (21) Toon 3: Elephant Trunk (21) Toon 4: Elephant Trunk (21)

Standard Damage: 84 STAB Applied: 101

Round Two Complete Floor III Complete

Floor IV: Vs. Level 12 Robber Baron (182), Level 9 Loan Sharks x3 (110)

Toon 1: Fog Horn (50) Toon 2: Fog Horn (50) Toon 3: Elephant Trunk (21) Toon 4: Fog Horn (50)

Standard Damage: 171 STAB Applied: 205

Remaining Vitality: 0, 0, 0, 0

Round One Complete Floor IV Complete Building Complete

Toon Victory

You see how proper utilization of each strategy is essential to any successful battle.

(Created by Entei_077, TT battle strategist, for Toontown Central's Contribution Contest)