Crit-a-Cola

Crit-a-Cola (in full Bonk! Crit-a Cola) is a secondary 'lunchbox' item for the Scout and was added in the April 28, 2010 Patch. In similar packaging to Bonk! Atomic Punch, it appears as a purple can of cola which, when ingested, gives the drinker certain mini-crits for 6 seconds. However, mini-crits will also be inflicted against the Scout during his buff duration.

None. Gives the drinker Mini-Crits for the next 6 seconds.
Drinker also receives mini-crit damage during the effect.

* Drinking: 1.2 (Interrupt-able)
* Buff Duration: 6
* Re-Use Cooldown: 24 (after bonus wears off)

All times are in seconds, and determined by community testing.

Blueprint

* The name 'Crit-a-Cola' is a play on popular soft-drink brand name 'Coca-Cola'. The name also sounds like the word 'Critical' spoken with unusual emphasis.
* When this weapon was first released, it and Bonk! Atomic Punch shared skins.
* 'Crit-a-Cola' appears to be another flavor of energy drink which appears under the Bonk! brand-name, rather than a new product all its own.

While Cherry Fission-flavoured Bonk! proclaimed Now With Isotopes!, and Blutonium Berry-flavoured Bonk! assured us it contained 33% More Radiation!, Crit-a-Cola's label states Manliness Guaranteed!

* When you die while holding the Crit-a-Cola, it will appear as Bonk! Atomic Punch instead.
* The Crit-a-Cola and Bonk! Atomic Punch can be considered counterparts: the former gives you more damaging capabilities in exchange of taking more damage and the latter prevents you from taking damage, but also from dealing any.

* Crit-a-Cola is a very high-risk, high-reward unlock. A mini-crit boosted Scattergun is a very powerful weapon, but its glow can single you out as a target, and since you'll take mini-crits too, you can die very fast. This encourages more of an ambush style of play for the Scout.

* Sometimes, it's wiser to only fire off a few shots and run away after drinking Crit-a-Cola as opposed to staying and fighting for the whole duration, since your opponents can kill you so easily.

* One tactic is to use Crit-a-Cola as a suicide weapon by drinking it and charging into the thick of battle, Scattergun blazing. This is extremely risky though, and should only be done when the enemy is sufficiently distracted, so you can maximize damage before they realize you're there and kill you.

* Although you lose your Pistol when you equip it, Crit-a-Cola's mini-crits help make up for this. Mini-crits don't suffer from damage falloff, so your Scattergun can remain useful at a longer range, especially against a group of enemies.

* Combined with the Force-a-Nature, the Mini-Crits provided by Crit-a-Cola can become a devastating 'Alpha-Strike' attack, especially if you have the drop on your opponent. This tactic is best used for taking out a single, high-priority target, such as a Medic with a prepared ÜberCharge, or distracted in the middle of a Kritzkrieg rush.

* If you're using the Crit-a-Cola, and you're lucky enough to catch several opponents unaware simultaneously, take advantage of the fact that your Melee weapon is extremely quiet. This tactic works better with the standard Bat, rather than The Sandman, as the unlockable Sandman lowers your total HP, making you easier to kill once your enemies catch onto your plan.

* As soon as you get covered in Jarate, drink Crit-a-Cola. If done fast, it will finish before the Jarate does, making you stronger, while the Mini-Crit penalty of Crit-a-Cola does not stack with that of Jarate.

* Similarly, if the enemy team is pushing with a Buff Banner (Or, of course, an enemy Scout with Crit-a-Cola), drink Crit-a-Cola. It's Mini-Crit debuff does not stack with the infinite Mini-Crits from the other team, while it may level the playing field a little in terms of your damage vs. theirs. There may be a slight advantage to using Crit-a-Cola against an enemy who has a Critical Hit Boost, as their criticals will not stack with your Mini-Crit debuff. This is a risky strategy, however.

* Inversely, never drink Crit-a-Cola when under the effects of a friendly Buff Banner, a Critical Hit Boost or when facing an enemy covered in Jarate. Your Mini-Crits do not stack with Critical Hits or other Mini-Crits, and weakening yourself with a Mini-Crit debuff is pointless.

* Avoid drinking Crit-a-Cola when facing alert soldiers. You will die to a single direct hit from the regular Rocket Launcher, and if you are using the Sandman, one point-blank shotgun shell will also kill you.