knifes are a terrible side arm choice maybe flaylock aside it's the worst.

[warning, fitting theory ahead]
carrying a primary has it benefits and a number weapons synergize really well with NKs. nova knives are a high alpha choice extremely low range they have the ability to put down reds before they can fight back. pairing NKs with a high dps choice with good range like an smg, combat rifle, blaster rifle, or to a far lesser extent rail rifle can be a really deadly combo. using the dps option for normal encounters but alpha tackling unaware enemies (enemies hacking point, snipers, ect) before they can fight back. the mass drive isn't a terrible option either it has a nice medium short range optimal and tight areas that don't cater to the MD often do cater to NKs but the smg/flux combo offers way better synergy in that situation.

the rail rifle, scrambler rifle or lazer rifle don't combo with NKs because they're a little too long range and leaves you really lacking for a good medium short range option. shotguns aren't a great option either because any situation the NKs would be useful the shotty is really the right tool for the job.

the NK CBr scout combo has awesome synergy and is one of my favorite fits to run, the CBr offers great medium short range fire power for run of the mill engagements and situationally the NKs can get rid of enemies before they have time to respond.

Two problems

The main problem I have is the field of view, yes my merc wears a helmet But I have no peripheral vision, so when you go to stab an the guy moves you dots on his dot but really there's kind of like this void area that you share the same space when in reality your not but the radar makes it look that way an you can't find each other, once you jump back you have a second to get him before he spins an rail rifles your face off!

The other is damage, if your not rocking proficiency 4/5 your quick slashes won't save you, unless your in a 25% damage bonus suit an have a high proficiency you need proto knives, anything else is asking to die

I think the knives' mechanics are broken.

Yeah, come at me. I can't hit anyone for the life of me if he's already seen me. They're really only viable if your opponent is dumb enough to not watch his back in the open, and is running solo.

Their problems are that because they are so extremely short range it's very easy to have someone step out of the way or backpedal out of the way because there's no range to them and they hit right on the reticule.

The 'best' solution would be to have the left hand knifes swing be a short 1.5m range smear that catches any target along its whole path and the right hand knifes thrust extend about 1.5-2m infront of reticule allowing you to hit people backpedaling. It would also help to have movespeed cut in half while backing up or strafing.

including [...] 1 Proto Heavy

Ain't that the best feeling in the world?

well, i actually run knives pretty regularly, and i'm pretty good at it.

i would say the biggest fix needed is the fix to the sprinting bug and fix to the lag. that would make knifing so much more viable.
then afterwards, maybe a slight lunge and the ability to charge and sprint.

on a side note, Maken Tosch, how often do you play this game? i try to look for you but i dont see you in matches too often either. i would love to get to play with one of the most well known knifers around and see how good you are at it.

They are kinda fine the way they are. I know I've been flip flopping on this issue. Their ultra high damage is justified by how uneasy it is to use them - that means you can't use them on all maps, that means you will fail in a protostomp ambush etc etc but will shine in a balanced skirmish. If you make them sprint charge or lunge or w/e else, mark my words, we will be playing NK 514 overnight.

Right now NK is a great secondary that in the right hands is a great primary. Don't need to make a second flaylock out of them. The reason why they are not used more is because automatic weapons are such an easy mode in this game and scouts are such a hard mode that is hard to find ppl play scout.

What NK could use tho IMO is to make STD and ADV knives the same short charge time as proto but keep their low damage.

I have a big issue with the restrictive FoV. I dont know what it is set to in DUST but it feels about 70-80 degrees. I would love to take that to 100 - 110 deg.

I think a proper fisheye lense could be cool on knives as long as you could turn it off in the menu, only for knives tho