After numerous threads and many different ideas being thrown about we still don't have a single unified idea of how to balance side-arms.

As many have pointed out the Ion Pistol and the Flaylock are both hugely underpowered. The other pistols while better are still poor options compared to the SMG and the Magsec SMG.

I previously proposed balancing the pistols around an inverse range to damage relationship with the scrambler pistol as the mid point. BL4CKST4R proposed buffing many of the weapons stats as well as changing the heat mechanic of the ion pistol. Rattati further proposed that since the SMG is the most used weapon all the side arms should actually be balanced with it in mind. Many others also commented that because of its short range the ion pistol needed a much higher DPS than the bolt pistol.

Taking these ideas into consideration I have revamped my original spreadsheet. The new sheet incorporates all of the ideas above and assumes the overheat mechanics proposed by BL4CKST4R. Please note that I have have only shown the stats for prototype weapons. These weapons should only be a 10% improvement over basic weapons with advanced ones lying right in the middle (5% weaker than proto 5% more powerful than basic) Ranges should be equalized across weapon tiers (like what was done with pistols).

Weapon varients have not been included at this time but should be part of the balancing. I would of crouse like feed back about what to do with them. I am leaning towards the breach flaylock being an AV varient, and a decrease in pershot damage for the assault SMG (to make up for its higher rate of fire).

Take a second, look the spread sheet over and make comments. Lets try to build something productive here.

Sidearm Balance Spreadsheet

Please note that I have included BL4CKST4R's spreadsheet as well so we can easily compare the two.

So what's the deal with the mag nerf of the magsec? I mean its as close as the caldari get to a CQC sidearm i'm not seeing your thought process behind it. I mean to spite its dps it bearly benefits from aim assist, the majority of the rounds tend to miss anything that isnt strafing.

SMG is balanced.. just "balance" the other sidearms against the smg insted of nerfing smg into **** mode just to be level with the other sidearms cause of RPers who want their OP SCP back

Those are some interesting numbers but for the Flay lock I believe a way to improve it as a sidearm would be to buff direct damage to about 300 with a splash damage of 240 and a blast radius of 3m.

now this may seem OP but the final part is to make all this go along with a one round clip and a 2.5 second reload time.

With this you will be able to have less trouble engaging an enemy with the Flay lock but won't be able to go around taking out big groups single handed with it like before even with a commandos reload bonus and the flay locks reload skill at five it won't likely be possible with a constant reloading.

Extremely helpful, am finalizing the Delta proposal with the CPM and this is very useful. Thanks!

I have 5M SP waiting for a sidearm...

Hipfire accuracy on the ion pistol is -extremely important-. That really, really needs an improvement.

Magsec needs to have a better scope, and needs less kick when aimed down sight. DPS feels fine.

the SMG needs more kick as there is practically none.

I approve of Blackstar's Core Flaylock buff.

Mobius' on the other hand? NO. I wouldn't touch the ROF on the Flaylock with a 10ft. pole. That is the MAIN reason why it got nerfed. Besides, turning it into a spam-cannon isn't the solution. Higher ROF and Clip size means you have more bullets to waste.

Just give it more damage if you need to kill people.

Keep the low fire rate +2/clip. Faster projectile.

Faster Projectile, Same clip size, buff direct damage, unify splash at 1.5m across the tiers

Five. That way your magazine lasts approximately as long as another sidearm. Past that I think the flay should be the most cautiously buffed.

Four Shots, with buffed direct damage. Final offer.

You forgot the projectile that's harder to dodge. I'm beginning to think you're not taking this negotiation seriously.

Get what I'm saying?

Yup.

Dilemma: Scouts. Given the slow fire I find it difficult to catch the little turds in the blast radius much less land a direct hit on them. Any suggestions on how to make the sidearm not utterly useless against a dropsuit that can literally vault over the blast?

Aim better?

Faster projectile speed should help. I mean at the end of the day, you still gotta hit them to kill them.

After numerous threads and many different ideas being thrown about we still don't have a single unified idea of how to balance side-arms.

As many have pointed out the Ion Pistol and the Flaylock are both hugely underpowered. The other pistols while better are still poor options compared to the SMG and the Magsec SMG.

I previously proposed balancing the pistols around an inverse range to damage relationship with the scrambler pistol as the mid point. BL4CKST4R proposed buffing many of the weapons stats as well as changing the heat mechanic of the ion pistol. Rattati further proposed that since the SMG is the most used weapon all the side arms should actually be balanced with it in mind. Many others also commented that because of its short range the ion pistol needed a much higher DPS than the bolt pistol.

Taking these ideas into consideration I have revamped my original spreadsheet. The new sheet incorporates all of the ideas above and assumes the overheat mechanics proposed by BL4CKST4R. Please note that I have have only shown the stats for prototype weapons. These weapons should only be a 10% improvement over basic weapons with advanced ones lying right in the middle (5% weaker than proto 5% more powerful than basic) Ranges should be equalized across weapon tiers (like what was done with pistols).

Weapon varients have not been included at this time but should be part of the balancing. I would of crouse like feed back about what to do with them. I am leaning towards the breach flaylock being an AV varient, and a decrease in pershot damage for the assault SMG (to make up for its higher rate of fire).

Take a second, look the spread sheet over and make comments. Lets try to build something productive here.

Sidearm Balance Spreadsheet

Please note that I have included BL4CKST4R's spreadsheet as well so we can easily compare the two.

There's only one thing wrong with your post... hardly anyone uses the Magsec. There's nothing wrong with the weapon, it's great, but being one of the few weapons having true recoil, people decide to use easier weapons that have no recoil.

I find it easy to use, but I never see the poor thing in the killfeed... just because it has recoil...

Magsec needs to have a better scope, and needs less kick when aimed down sight. DPS feels fine.

the SMG needs more kick as there is practically none.