The Water Pistol, commonly referred to as a Water Gun or Squirt Gun, is a type of toy gun that is designed to shoot a stream of water and is commonly used in water warfare. The body of the pistol itself is designed to hold and contain the water with the trigger being attached to a pump that squirts water out of the muzzle. Modern variants may utilize compressed air, rubber chambers, or other means in order to launch the water.
Usage[]
Phantom Pain Incident[]
- See also: Hospital Escape and Phantom Pain Incident
Venom Snake employed the Diamond Dogs R&D Team to develop a Water Pistol for him in 1984. It was typically used to temporarily blind enemies, allowing for a quick takedown with CQC or as a means of distraction. Due to the vulnerability of water for electronics, it was also used to short-circuit electronic equipment such as power generators or communication dishes. It could also be used against the Man on Fire to extinguish him (although it took roughly 80 shots to do so), or to momentarily stun the Parasite Unit due to their parasites' uncontrollable love of water.
While it was subsequently upgraded to maximize effectiveness, its use as an offensive weapon was severely lacking.
Behind the scenes[]
The Water Pistol is a weapon that can be developed in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, after gaining the Children's Reward Key Item.
In-game weapon descriptions[]
- "Water-based system. Operating the finely-tuned trigger connected to the high-capacity water pump launches a controlled stream of water from the muzzle"
- ―Weapon description in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Gameplay[]
The Water Pistol has few niche uses in gameplay. Because it shoots water, it will not deal damage of any type and acts more as a utility instead of a weapon. The fired water projectiles create noticeable splashes and puddles that can alert attentive soldiers. It has a very noticeable lack of range and a steep curving arc to it's projectile, making it useless against anything past the range of about the Zorn-KP. The weapon is commonly used as a silent, non-intrusive way of destroying the electrical equipment both used by FOB's and large radio outposts out in the field. It can also be used to put out small fires.
One of it's main uses is as a quick, non-wasteful distraction tool-- firing the Water Pistol is free, as it has unlimited water-based ammo and it's firing is silent, which allows it to be used for skill-based applications for controlling enemy movements or distracting other threats such as Walker Gears or passing vehicles. Once the water lands, it makes a splashing noise and effect that will alert enemies, spotlights or security cameras. However, if fired too close to an enemy's line of sight or right next to them, they will still react to it as seeing a muzzle flash and will immediately go into high alert. The Water Pistol, humorously can also be used to hold up soldiers who are unaware that it is a toy gun. Most skilled soldiers may see through the ruse and attack with their knives, which knocks Snake down and leaves him open to attack via firearms.
One situation that makes this weapon useful is in close-range combat situations while in Reflex Mode. When initially found out, firing at the opponent's face will cause them to become blinded temporarily (About 2-3 seconds.) and drop their rifles. This can give Venom Snake a chance to make a choice of either retreating back into stealth as they will instantly lose track of Snake and search for him, or taking the enemy down with CQC. Hitting an enemy with a stream of water will cause them to search around their area and may move them from a chokepoint that Snake needs to cross through.
The Water Pistol also comes in handy during missions where Snake encounters The Parasite Unit. Because of the parasite's instincts to intake water, it can be used to distract Parasite soldiers, as they will pay no attention to anything else while soaking up water and can be temporarily 'eliminated' in this way. If fired at directly, the Parasite soldiers will stop whatever they are doing to soak up the water, allowing Snake to make crucial space between him and the soldiers when need be.
When fighting the Man on Fire, the Water Pistol gives Snake a sizeable advantage due to the lack of ammo constraint, and it's inherent power against fire and the Man on Fire himself, taking about 80-90 shots to defeat him.
When in an area that is raining, most of the Water Pistol's main uses are completely nullified, as the rain is loud enough to overpower the sound of the splash and no noticeable puddles will be made to aid in distracting soldiers. Additionally, soldiers will not react to being hit with water while outdoors in the rain (excluding being splashed in the face), leaving it's use of shorting out electrical equipment the only use applicable.