Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, community sites named in the text and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Automatic, Machine Gun and Dispenser Cannons
An automatic cannon fires without you once it is switched on. It can be preloaded, fed by a TNT duplicator, or fed by dispensers. In Factions, dispenser cannons are the common kind, usually with sand loaded by hand. Machine guns, a preloaded rapid-fire type, can fire as often as every game tick.
What kinds of automatic cannon are there?
| Type | How it gets TNT | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Preloaded | Loaded by hand in advance | Fires once without you |
| Machine gun (Mg) | Preloaded, single-use crossbow | Up to one shot per tick; heavy lag, so servers often limit it |
| Duper | TNT duplication bugs | Common in Survival; duping is banned on many servers |
| Dispenser | Dispensers | The usual alternative where duping is banned; common in Factions |
What is a machine gun cannon?
minecraft.wiki calls a machine gun a preloaded single-use crossbow. It can fire extremely fast, up to a shot every tick, while staying fairly small. Its short name is (n tick) Mg, such as 1gt TMg for a one-game-tick tunneler machine gun. Slower ones use gravel or piston worms to stay compact; faster ones use several ignition points or complex piston and separator setups.
Because of the lag, its main job is to counter the enemy's main plan and force them to adapt, not to win alone.
Why are dispenser cannons common in Factions?
minecraft.wiki describes dispenser cannons as the alternative wherever duping is not allowed, and a dispenser can place and light TNT. It notes that in Factions the cannons often also use sand that is loaded by hand, and that some servers ban dispensers too. Lighting rules: a dispenser that places TNT, or uses flint and steel on a TNT block, lights it. See how TNT works.
Is TNT duplication allowed?
It depends entirely on the server. minecraft.wiki describes duper cannons as at least partly automatic and common in Survival, but says duping is often not allowed elsewhere. Large-scale TNT duplication has its own tutorial on the wiki. Check the server rules before building one.
What TNT do ArtemisPvP cannons use?
Normal TNT and the custom TNT on Custom TNT; check the rules for what is allowed.
Frequently asked questions
What is a machine gun cannon?
A preloaded single-use crossbow cannon that can fire up to once per game tick.
Why do factions cannons use dispensers?
minecraft.wiki says dispenser cannons are used wherever duping is not allowed, and that factions cannons commonly also use hand-loaded sand.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.