Master Jaraiya
Ultramarine Corp
1254
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Posted - 2013.10.30 12:43:00 -
[1] - Quote
I've said it before and I'll say it again:
The problem with the HMG is that they are forcing it to be a "Short range suppression weapon".
This is oxymoronic.
By it's inherent nature an HMG should not be a short range high dispersion weapon! It should be a med to med-long range low dispersion high damage weapon. (Real Life HMGs have twice the Range of an AR with greater accuracy see GE M134 Minigun.)
Suppression means keeping the enemy out, away, pinned down, restricted to cover. If my enemy is able to get within his own striking distance long before he is in mine, have I suppressed my enemy? The answer is no!
The problem occurs with balance. CCP has apparently tried to balance a Heavy Anti-infantry weapon against a Light Anti-Infantry Weapon, with terrible results.
The Light Infantry Assault should be the most versatile, and it is. It is able to deal Decent damage, carry Equipment, Sidearms, and Explosives, as well as have decent survivability. This is currently the case, so no real problems there.
The Heavy Infantry Sentinel should be dealing the Highest DPS (in practice, not only on paper) and have significantly more Tank/TTK, but require support from light infantry. Currently the only one of these Heavies can claim is requiring support from light infantry. This is where the problem lies.
The HMG: We currently have a weapon which requires Heavies to let Light infantry get danger close before we can even think about engaging. The HMG should be able to hold Light infantry at bay, forcing them to use tactics/specialist weapons to Counter such as flanking, or stealth using Shotguns, Knova Knives, Mass Drivers Tactical Rifles, etc. Instead The Poor range and poor dispersion of the HMG allows even shotgun users to sprint directly up to Heavies and pop off 2 shots to drop, before the HMG even reaches it's optimal killing potential. Ranged Light Weapons simply have to Stay outside an HMG's optimal range, and score a few headshots.
The best counter to an HMG Heavy should not be Light Infantry with an Assault Rifle!!!
I know that statement is upsetting to more than a few, but it is true nonetheless!
The HMG should be viable enough to defend the slow, very large Dropsuit required to wield it.
This means engaging at range. There is no other way to make the Heavy Dropsuit viable. Once an enemy has closed distance on a Heavy, the heavy doesn't stand a chance. Heavies simply do not have the maneuvering capabilities to make it a viable CQC Dropsuit.
In order to fix the problem with the Heavy Dropsuit, the HMG must become what it is inherently meant to be. A long range, High Damage Med. Dispersion, Suppression Weapon.
"The true measure of a shinobi is not how he lives, but how he dies."
- The Toad Sage
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