Ink Piston

Ink Pistons are mechanics found in Octo Canyon. They shoot a ray of ink into the direction they are facing, dealing enough damage to either break Agent 4's armor in one hit or immediately splat them if they are without armor.

A version of this obstacle called Ink Sticks, which are always extended, appears in the Octo Expansion. Unlike Ink Pistons, Ink Sticks can knock you off ride rails while Ink Pistons only break your armor.

Description
Ink Pistons are small Octarian machines found in Octo Canyon. They appear to have faces made up of three bolts: two making the eyes and a bigger one making the mouth. They can be seen bolted to any wall or in their own floating tank, placed horizontally or vertically. Although Ink Pistons behave similarly to a Gusher, the Piston activates itself and shoots out a ray of ink. On the first Octo Canyon mission they appear in, Sunset Octocopter, Marie tells Agent 4 that they should not touch them.

The way that the game developers would set them across the map can work in two ways: walls and obstacles. One example for the wall can be seen on Sunset Octocopter, which prevents Agent 4 from inking and climbing a wall. The only time that they can pass is when the Ink Pistons retract. You can also see Ink Pistons used as obstacles in The Octogalaxy. Toward the end of the level, you are required to jump over the Ink Piston.

Octo Canyon

 * Sunset Octocopter (Mission #03)
 * The Octopark (Mission #05)
 * Parking Garage (Mission #14)
 * Propellerland (Mission #20)
 * Cephalon HQ (Sector 5)
 * The Octogalaxy (Mission #23)
 * Platform Madhouse (Mission #25)

Octo Expansion

 * Roll Out Station
 * Bounce with Me Station
 * Goose Station
 * Squee-G Funk Station
 * Stick 'n' Move Station
 * Ride with Me Station