KEROSIINI-TERO
Seraphim Initiative.
CRONOS.
248
   |
Posted - 2013.01.15 19:53:00 -
[1] - Quote
Ok, one more thread on this and one more set of answers and things to consider:
First, let's correct some false rumors and assumptions:
- LR does not have higher range than AR. Killswitch GEK has slightly higher while the TAC AR's have way longer range (even tho tac's are handicapped now). LR can project their damage better at it's max range, even tho the said max range is shortet than AR.
- LR is not valid anti-tank weapon. It's easy to theoretize how easy it is to hit a tank and how LR is super effective vs shields and how because of those things they would be super effective against tanks as well. But the fact is that tank HPs run in an another world compared to dropsuit HP for which LR is scaled.
- The LR does significant damage to armor even though it's supposed to be weak. The reason for that is that first, non-heavy suits have usually very low armor indeed, and second, armor is damaged last when the heat is higher.
- LR does not instakill good non-heavy suits, though the kill is fast if done properly
- LR requires the user to have tactically advantageous position. It can't adapt to poor positions as other weapons do, hence LR is not usable everywhere. The greatest kdrs for LR users come on a tactical position - that would be the same for many other weapons but LR benefits from it more.
Now, some analysis on current state of LR usability:
- Most effective LR users aim for the head, that finishes the target very very quickly. It is not the same where you shoot at.
- LR needs ridiculously little skill points to use. Only thing you need is L1 Laser Rifle operations, so there are so many potential potential people to test them and therefore also lots of LR users making them abundant at the moment.
- LR is straight away as good as it get's (with the exception of Viziam laser, multiple dama mods and ofc Weaponry L5 skill) and dropsuit survivability is very low in general. Basically, meta0-2 fittings go against almost the same laser beams as we saw week ago at the end of the singularity.
- LR damage curve is a bit high. It clearly hasn't been designed with ability to get headshots in mind which in combination can create near instant kills.
- Having Clip size limitation and current heating system is redundant, they are actually a single thing with heating being stronger, not two separate handicaps on the weapon.
- Although Pad (controller) vs KB+M is very balanced in Dust, it may be the case that KB+M is superior for LR users. (Sadly I haven't tested as LR came after I switched to KB+M
CONCLUSIONS:
IS LASER RIFLE OP?
LR is not OP, if by OP you mean 'better than everything, makes every other weapon obsolete'. It is situational.
Good comparison between hand-held weapons: Ask yourself, do you see LR users roaming and murdering solo? No, they're almost always with squad filling a supporting role. It is very good support weapon as it should be.
Therefore, It is foolish to say LR is OP.
Please read further.
Does LR need tweaking down? Is it imbalanced?
YES.
It is IMBA.
The damage curve goes a bit too high, creating quick kills which understandably annoy victims. There lies the imbalance. (but not the alleged OP status)
[SUGGESTIONS:]
Laser Rifle must not undergo traditional CCP 'op-fix' which mean total nerf. It is close being ok and should be slightly tuned down and somewhat tweaked.
Pick one (or small amount of several) of the following:)
A) Give harsher penalty vs armor HP. That limits the ability to get kills which really affect and emphasize LR's support role.
B) Even out the LR damage curve by tuning down the high end BUT at the same time tuning up the initial damage. That reduces heated up near instagibs while keeping LR valuable asset.
D) Redo heating mechanic altogether. (I have suggestion for that under developement still, gonna post in future...)
E) Redo the optimal model: currently max damage is from about 65m-90m with some skills. At 91M damage is zero, which is stupid. Make optimal 50-70, with max 90M and damage withering very close or very far.
In addition of the above, the skill tree needs redoing. It is currently both a benefit and handicap for LR: There's no reason to invest more SP so you get full power too cheap. On the other hand, you can't buff LR more by investing SP.
X) Redo Laser Rifle skill tree |