Will the Thale's continue to work along the lines of the Garden Variety Sniper Rifle with Charge-caliber damage, Garden Variety clip and improved zoom?

As for the Charge, define "smallest clip and ammo".

I don't use the TacSR now and probably will continue to not do so as lining up a headshot at relatively close range against a dropsuit zig-zagging toward me is outside of my ability. But the proposal seems to accomplish what you set out to do for the TacSR (i.e.: giving it a niche).

I need those first two questions answered before I can be 'okay' with this nerf, though.

Hi Rattati,

1 -¦ quoting you : "... Boosting headshot damage modifiers will reward skilled snipers, and make countersniping and heavy take-downs way more feasible. ..."

personally this is the best part...

2-¦ the Tactical Sniper Rifle - Increased ROF, clip size and ammo, direct damage with the damage increased... is a good change for some maps!

3-¦ and sad... the use of the charged will keep hurting my head... or mute tv !

ps: whats the look of the reticule based on Plasma cannon...?

Does the charge have the actual charge-up game mechanic still?

Thale's will be an improved "normal" sniper rifle, with the same zoom. The Thale's zoom will be removed from the game.

Will the Tac be functioning as a DMR?

Please say the Tac will function as a DMR, I miss groundsniping

I think it may evolve into that, let's see how this urban tactical sniper works damage wise, and then we can look at sway and "stand and shoot". Soraya actually reprimanded me in skype just now, "it's not stand and shoot, just crouch and shoot" :)

I think this is a good start, but I think more adjustments will be needed before snipers are in a balanced place. I would rather you take this slow and steady approach than end up with greater imbalance however.

Thale's will be an improved "normal" sniper rifle, with the same zoom. The Thale's zoom will be removed from the game.

Charged Sniper - 3 shot clip, 15 ammo.

You can call it a nerf all you want, we think it is a massive buff to headshots and the role.

All right, this may get interesting.

First let me thank the CPM, Barbershop, dedicated snipers and Iron Wolf Saber for a lot of feedback and information gathering. In the end, it's going to be CCP, that makes the most informed decision we can, so please don't blame them for the bad things, and pat them on the back for the good things.

The intent is to bring snipers closer to the battle, and specifically not have to rely on countersniping a Thale's with a Thale's. Boosting headshot damage modifiers will reward skilled snipers, and make countersniping and heavy take-downs way more feasible.

We think these are moderate proposals and are intended to be buffs to the role, but will also increase the risk of the sniper, and that is intended. We want there to be a proper range progression from novaknife to sniper rifle, and a place on the battle field for each range bracket.

Now to the design goals/intent. Please try to frame your feedback so it is relative to these roles.

Sniper Rifle - the Suppressor, enough firepower to line up enough bodyshots to suppress, kill stragglers and countersnipe

Highest range, medium clip and medium ammo, sustainable dps
High damage - High headshot modifier 300% (from 196%)
New Effective range - 450
Reticule - New Sniper reticule based on Plasma cannon

Charged Sniper Rifle - the Executioner, one shot-one kill type

Trades range and ROF for alpha damage, high headshot multiplier and highest native damage, smallest clip and ammo
High damage - Very high headshot modifier 350% (from 196%)
New Effective Range - 400
Reticule - New Sniper reticule based on Plasma cannon

Tactical Sniper Rifle - the Rifleman, stand and shoot, and has enough ROF and damage output to effectively take down approaching enemies. (basically super TAR)

High damage - high headshot modifier - 250% (from 196%)
Main change - Increased ROF, clip size and ammo, direct damage
New Effective Range - 350
Reticule - the current circle to allow shorter range engagements and snap shots


Keeping all ranges well out of Forge gun ranges and retaining enough range to be effective.

The Thale's zoom and range will be adjusted properly to fit thes design goals, ie. the zoom will be adapted and the current zoom reduced.

We do not want to touch stability, sway, nor accuracy in this pass, so please refrain from posting such comments.

Please try to keep this civil and constructive, and to the point. There will be no ranting tolerated here, we have had enough in recent threads. Talk about the points, what we missed, what we did right and do not project what you think other people or CCP know or think about snipers. Just your personal feedback.

Thanks!

What's the damage going to be? Unchanged?

For that matter, what's the damage of the Thale's going to be? Is it changing?

...15 ammo. "Let's make sure people HAVE to skill the extra ammo capacity skill to 5, it'll be fun!" Not terribly pleased with that...

Base damage values aren't listed as changing in this post. Personally, I feel base damage is too low, and needs a buff upwards, but I think the concept of not buffing too much too fast will win out here. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Since hotfixes are somewhat frequent, balance passes don't need to be 'one and done' like they used to be.

I think it may evolve into that, let's see how this urban tactical sniper works damage wise, and then we can look at sway and "stand and shoot". Soraya actually reprimanded me in skype just now, "it's not stand and shoot, just crouch and shoot" :)

Drop suit prices should be another parameter when balancing these weapons. For example I'm running around in my proto suit just doing my thing and get one shotted by some militia sniper rifle.

This would cause a number of things if not balance properly, brick tanking proto suits more eHP chasing, more heavy spam, forum cries for nerfs, and very stale game play. I understand the one shot factor ect, but it's very hard to balance when your running around a 150k+ suit and get demolished by a 10k suit from across the map. So basically drop suit prices really need to be looked at to allow more freedom in adding these one shot kill weapons, or reevaluate how isk is distributed in matches so that your risk, and effort is rewarded fairly.

...15 ammo. "Let's make sure people HAVE to skill the extra ammo capacity skill to 5, it'll be fun!" Not terribly pleased with that...