Mortars are single-shot, but very spectacular items. They produce varying effects such as large floral bursts, flying fish, streaking comets, and vibrant colour mines.
Comets are large streaking fireballs shooting through the air, sometimes having a crackling or glittering tail.
Mines are a single shot, colourful explosion at the ground that sprays up into the sky. Some shoot as high as 120 feet. Others may have loud whistles, crackling stars, popping flowers or loud detonations.
Shells shoot a single shot up in the sky producing a large floral burst. They vary in colour, height and size. Some shells are colour-changing, while others have crackling stars, flying fish, loud detonations, or long-lasting willows.
A general rule of thumb is to use 3 to 4 plastic base items for every one Roman candle or barrage used. Where the barrage provides duration, the plastic base item wows the audience with more spectacular effects.
