As an avid survival horror fan, I‘ve eagerly awaited a new game that could capture the magic of genre classics like Resident Evil and Dead Space. The Callisto Protocol – the latest creation from Dead Space co-creator Glen Schofield – delivers on that promise in spades. And one of its most wickedly powerful weapons that unleashes unbridled fury upon the horrors of Black Iron Prison is the Skunk Shotgun.
When I first laid eyes on the Skunk Gun, I‘ll admit – I was skeptical that the small, inconspicuous weapon could pack much of a punch. But once upgraded to its full, flaming glory? The Skunk morphs into an instrument of devastation that chews through the toughest enemies with contemptuous ease. It quickly became my go-to tool for delivering vengeful justice upon the twisted horrors plaguing the prison.
In my extensive playtime since The Callisto Protocol‘s release, I‘ve had the pleasure of thoroughly unleashing fiery shotgun fury with the Skunk in all its forms. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about acquiring the Skunk for yourself and transforming it into the ultimate monster-shredding beast. You too can revel in the chainsaw death rattle of mutants falling by your smoking barrel!
Unearthing the Schematics
Your first step to shotgun supremacy is getting your hands on the initial Skunk Gun schematics. This task becomes available early – Chapter 3 to be precise.
I was practically drooling waiting that long to build my first epic weapon in TCP. In the meantime, I had to settle for caving in skulls with Jacob‘s trusty Stun Baton. Not that I‘m complaining – sending enemies flying into electric walls never gets old!
Once Chapter 3 rolled around, I set forth on the hunt. Turns out, the schematic‘s location isn‘t handed to you on a silver platter. You‘ll need to earn it through some good old fashioned exploration and alien-smashing legwork.
There are two locations where it can appear, each one containing deadly challenges guarding the prize:
Location #1: The Chapter 3 Gauntlet of Death
Shortly after grabbing a fuse to proceed further in Chapter 3, you can access the first Skunk Gun schematic site. This path contains a corridor of spiked walls and electrified water leading to the D4 Storage basement. Consider it a test of skill – make it through in one piece and glory awaits!
I cleared this gauntlet on my first 3 attempts. Maybe I got cocky, but the 4th go-around I mistimed a jump and ended up impaled to a wall. 0/10, would not recommend. But hey, at least that deadly maze stood between me and the Skunk! Once I finally reached the prize, the satisfaction tasted sweeter than any loot before.
Location #2: Alien Horde HQ
If you somehow miss grabbing the schematic in Chapter 3, redemption comes in the form of Chapter 4. I scouted this one out too for good measure. The path goes through the biodome featuring some alien nests teaming with baddies. I felt right at home here blasting mutants away with the pistol before stumbling onto the crate stash.
Honestly, I think Survive the Alien OnslaughtTM should be the official subtitle for TCP as a whole. Either way, after digging through nests yet again, the Skunk Gun glory was mine at last!
I booked it to the nearest printer with 800 credits to burn. Into the machine went the schematic, and out popped my trusty new boomstick darling. Time for things to get wild!
Basic Stats and Features
Now, I know what you may be thinking at first glance: "That tiny thing barely counts as a gun! It wouldn‘t scare my grandma!". And you could be forgiven for feeling skeptical ogling the Skunk in its base form. But don‘t be fooled – the Skunk Gun packs some punch despite its compact size. Here‘s what you‘re working with before upgrades:
- Damage: 7
- Mag Size: 2 shells
- Fire Rate: Pump action
- Range: Short to mid
Nothing crazy admittedly, but respectable. Those shells hit surprisingly hard up close. The smaller mag size does mean more frequent reloading in action, but there is a silver lining…
You see, the Skunk possesses a very handy talent – self-manufacturing ammo! You never have to scavenge around for shotgun shells. It just passively creates more over time. Huzzah! That might be its best base feature honestly. Whether I‘m mid-battle surrounded or exploring corridors, my supply stays topped off automatically.
So while the stats seem meager at first brush, I learned right quick not to judge this book by its cover. Already it was proving to be a versatile ally, and I hadn‘t even begun upgrading!
Transformation Through Upgrades
I don‘t know about you, but I get really attached to my favorite video game weapons. The Skunk Gun was no exception – we were about to become BFFs on an alien-blasting warpath. What better way to strengthen a bond than weapon upgrades? That first stop at the workbench together is like an intimate trust fall.
Here‘s the spice the Skunk has in store:
Mag Size Expansion
This first enhancement felt a bit basic, but needed to happen eventually. Slap on a high-capacity magazine mod to double shell capacity from 2 to 4. It allows unleashing more shots before that dreaded mid-fight reload. All for just 400 credits? Sweeet.
Stability Grip Addition
Next up on the customization chopping block? A stability handle decreasing kickback, costing a fair 1,200 credits. While the Skunk‘s pump action reduces rapid fire needs, every precision shot still counts in the long rung. This grip lets me stay precise blasting limbs even rapid-fire style.
Magnum Damage Shells
For another 1,200 credits, I augmented the shells themselves for extra oomph per blast. I‘m talkin‘ baseline bruiser rounds getting upgraded to bone-powderizing magnum shells packing 20% more pain. Worth every credit if you ask me!
Swarming Hellfire Rounds
But the most glorious upgrade of all? A fiery damage tick to coat my shots in ravenous hellfire! Literal hot lead to melt these bastards down. It swarms additional flames between all nearby enemies too, chanting sweet misery.
The cost may be steep at 3,600 credits, but honestly? I would‘ve paid 10X more for this gamechanger. Consider it the ultimate pimp upgrade to take my Skunk Shotgun PRIDE to the next level. I couldn‘t slap my credits down faster if I tried!
Stand back monsters – fiery VENGEANCE will be mine! Bwahahaha!!!
Skunk Shotgun Supremacy
I‘ve tested my fair share of guns over the years gaming. But few can compete with the otherworldly power I wield now in the Skunk, especially after those wicked upgrades. It may not seem as impressively flashy or bulky as other guns at first glance, but the Skunk Shotgun‘s strengths make it god-tier:
Melts Enemies at Close Range
If you thought the Skunk packed a punch before, just wait until experiencing that sweet crit damage firsthand. Get up close to maximize the spread carnage and witness entire torsos disintegrate from pure damage channeling.
Endless Ammo Reserves
That self-manufacturing shells benefit eliminates any ammo concerns. My supply auto-replenishes so I‘m locked and loaded to roast endless freaks!
Flaming Rounds Swarm Multiple Targets
Skunk‘s crowning jewel has to be that glorious hellfire upgrade wreathing my shots. Any survivors of my initial blast get finished off by residual flames. It practically doubles my killing efficiency – Hasta la vista, baby!
When you combine extreme close-range prowess, unlimited ammo creation, AND fiery multi-target damage? You‘ve got yourself an S+ class weapon baby. The Skunk handles any situation, tearing all nightmares a new one!
This raw stopping force outshines any shotgun I‘ve witnessed. And trust me – I know a thing or two having played my fair share over the years. Doom, Gears of War, you name the boomstick beast. The Skunk stands tall.
Tactical Use of Weaponized Fury
Over my extensive playtime utilizing the Skunk‘s formidable strengths, I‘ve formulated some best practices for weaponizing its fury:
Get intimate with the carnage – its wide spread obliterates anything point blank so get in their grill!
Rapid weapon swaps are preferable to mid-fight reloading – toggle between the Skunk and your trust Stun Baton rather than getting caught vulnerable
Funnel enemies together then let the Skunk feast – it excels at shredding clustered groups so force chokepoints
The flaming Swarming Rounds makes the Skunk OP – prioritize saving for this ASAP
Retrieve shells from corpses to stockpile surplus reserves – every extra round bolsters the arsenal
Follow these battlefield tactics and you‘ll leave only ashes in your wrathful wake!
I can‘t emphasize enough what a force to be reckoned with this gun becomes once fully upgraded. The Callisto Protocol throws some strong adversary mutations at you. Yet through mastering movement and strategically applying the Skunk Shotgun‘s overwhelming firepower, no beast stands a chance at stopping your advance.
Unleash Fiery Fury!
I live for exhilarating moments in horror games – landing a perfect head pop with the sniper rifle in Resident Evil 4; pulling off an epic arm-severing stasis combo in Dead Space 2. Rapture and ecstasy in the little violent victories, ya know?
Charging into the depths of Black Iron prison brandishing my upgraded flaming Skunk Shotgun has provided plenty of those memorable moments. The sounds of buckshot ripping mutants asunder, their shrieks gurgling amidst sizzling flesh and poolingvice – it‘s music to my ears!
I‘ll never forget the first time I set off the Swarming Rounds into a packed alien nest and watched flaming tendrils lash out crisping a half-dozen freaks simultaneously. Sheer, unhinged BEAUTY. My eyes water just reminiscing that sweet sweet Skunk supremacy.
So if you‘re even 1/10th the raging horror fanatic I am, do yourself a favor and seek out this magnificent weapon immediately. Upgrade that baby until she‘s belching fire and brimstone for days! Only then will you truly experience the FPS glory The Callisto Protocol has to offer as you paint Black Iron‘s walls red with your flaming instrument of destruction.
Now if you‘ll excuse me, my sweet darling Skunk shotgun awaits for more nightmarish freaks to obliterate…BRAHAHAHA!!! LET THE GUTS FLY!!!
Best of luck to all you future Skunk-wielding survival horror fanatics out there! Slaughter gloriously.
