Commander Noctus
Gallente Loyalist
87
   |
Posted - 2014.10.20 04:57:00 -
[1] - Quote
Very disappointed to hear that range is "off the table". It frustrates me that the Amarr and Minmatar have a bonus that is very clearly in their huge favor, addressing the weakness of their guns, while the weakness of the Gallente's guns cannot be addressed due to it apparently "disrupting balance". So, I'm going to argue FOR it here, and still provide you with some alternatives regardless.
Seeing it from your point of view, I can understand where you come from. The gun does have the largest damage per clip when compared to the other racial types (breach to rail, etc), so bringing this damage to a longer range would be pretty scary. Also, I assume you've taken the other variants into account as well, which, admittingly, could lead to problems regarding the TAC version. What's more, the bonus would extend to Shotguns and Plasma Cannons, our other two guns. But let's be honest, is that 1-2 extra meters on the shotgun really going to help you? Plasma Cannons I can see receiving a large advantage, but Shotguns? The problem with this, then, lies with the Rifle.
Here's the problem though, the other racial variants would still have a large advantage over our plasma based variants.
Let's look at the Tactical Variant: The Scrambler has a higher clip, larger damage to shields, and a highly damaging charge shot, all while still having a larger optimal range than the Gallente variant. Coupled with the Amarr Assault bonus, you can get a lot of shots off in a short amount of time, at a much longer range. A range increase would shorten the gap, not enough to overshadow the ScR.
Regarding the Burst and Breach variants: The combat Rifle will always have an edge over our burst. The Combat Rifle gets a much faster rof between bursts, is dead accurate, and, once again, has a farther range. Let's not forget the +15% dmg to armor profile. The advantage the Rail Rifle has over the Breach is obvious: range, damage, and the profile. Again, increasing the range of the plasma variants will not overshadow either of these two guns in their effectiveness, especially considering the Minmatar bonus brings the clip to 80, 20 over the plasma variant.
As for the Assault variant: Once again, the weakness is range. The gun has the largest damage per clip of the Assault variants, so their's one edge. Also, the gun has low kick and is relatively accurate compared to the others. Overall, this version is better than the others.
Let's also not forget the the guns the other races have either. The heat reduction can keep a Laser Rifle shooting for seconds more, all the while hitting at it's max damage. The Mass Driver gets another shot or two (not sure how that 1.5 rounds to) for suppression and large splash damage.
Now, I have not addressed the fact that, apparently, plasma variants have large dispersion, so much so, that this dispersion is to be considered a "weakness" of the Plasma Rifle variants. And the reason why is because, as it is supposed to be a "short-lowmid" range weapon, why should I worry about my shots going a bit off if I should be engaging my target at such a close range? I shouldn't, especially when there is a skill dedicated to decreasing that dispersion already that anyone can obtain, regardless of suit (Sharpshooter). Something that neither the Amarr nor Minmatar have a way of doing for their Assault bonus. Something that makes our bonus less "unique".
Again, I ask: why do the Amarr and Minmatar get bonuses that are so beneficial to their weaknesses yet the Gallente be refused their bonus for their gun's weakness? Saying Dispersion is a large weakness is questionable considering the guns' optimal range of engagement removes the need to worry for such things, especially when the already low feeling dispersion can be reduced by other means.
Please reconsider implementing a range increase as the bonus.
TL;DR: If the Amarr and Minmatar get bonuses to their true weaknesses, so too should the Gallente. Range will not make their variants vastly better than the other Racial guns and therefore affect balance.
With all that said, the second bonus I wouldn't mind seeing would be a ROF bonus. However, as that is an increase to DPS, I don't really see it happening. In which case, a third option would be, as people have noted here, a decrease in damage dropoff past optimal. It's not EXACTLY like a range increase, since the optimal is still at 40ish, but it does make it so rounds hit a bit harder outside that range. And if that's still a no go, then just keep the dispersion bonus and tell us "No" already.
Gallente User since Jan. 28th, 2013. Touched on every Gallente role since.
|
Commander Noctus
Gallente Loyalist
87
|
Posted - 2014.10.20 18:24:00 -
[2] - Quote
Arkena Wyrnspire wrote:Blueprint For Murder wrote:Did you read the thread m8?
"Allow me to preemptively state that both direct range and direct damage buffs are likely off the table due to game wide weapons balance considerations and that the current intent of maintaining some degree of racial flavor within the bonus selected is indented to be maintained. That being said let's put our heads together and figure out a way to improve these racial buffs."- Cross atu Likely off the table, yes. That does not prevent me from expressing my opinion.
Aye, I'd rather see that range increase come in, already posted a lengthy note on it here. The other popular alternative was ROF, but that's technically "off the table" too due to it being a damage buff. I don't really see much more that could be done boost the gun itself. Could we maybe start looking at bonuses to the suit itself? I'd rather not but I figure we should acknowledge that option is there.
Gallente User since Jan. 28th, 2013. Touched on every Gallente role since.
|
Commander Noctus
Gallente Loyalist
135
|
Posted - 2014.11.18 17:42:00 -
[3] - Quote
Hmm, I've posted here before: something about giving Gallente a absolute range buff. Though after thinking and deliberating, an optimal range buff would be better and less "game-breaking". I still stand by that bonus. If not that, RoF, if not that, uber charge the current bonus to 10% or so.
My experience with the recent Rail Rifle changes however...warrant a charge reduction bonus. But that's the problem: the fact that the gun was modified so that IT WOULD NEED a reduction bonus does not sit well with me. It's like offering moldy bread to starving children and having them say "No" because their trash has less, non moldy food. Then you take that trash away, throw it in a pool of tar, and suddenly the moldy bread is much more appealing.
...bad example, but first thing that came to mind.
Gallente User since Jan. 28th, 2013. Touched on every Gallente role since.
|