Found this on the forum
https://forums.dust514.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=73100&p=10

CCP Remnant
C C P
C C P Alliance
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#184Posted: 2013.05.08 10:56 | Report
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I don't hate the Heavies. Or the HMG.

Well, actually, I hate everyone on the planet equally so technically I guess that means I hate no-one (we're all snowflakes!)

Good to see some intelligent debate and solid points in this thread, so thanks for that! Just wanted to jump in an explain the thinking behind some of the recent changes.

- The SS skill had to go. It should never have been there in the first place as it pushed all weapons well beyond their intended ranges and with more racial variants coming into the game (rail rifle, combat rifle etc.) it was more important than ever to have cleaner range profiles for all weaponry.
- The Sentinel was designed primarily as a point defense role. His speed and slow turn rate make him unsuitable for frontline combat. His presence should make anyone think twice before approaching a position. I'm not sure but it seems to me that a lot of the complaints about the ineffectiveness of the HMG stem from the fact that people want to use it to lead the charge into enemy territory. The HMG is not well suited for use in open areas but it comes into its own when used in outposts where targets are confined to narrow spaces. And at close range, the HMG is still very effective, I believe.

The HMG's optimal range is up to 30m and max. effective range caps out at 50m. (This is currently a hard cap - all weapons stop doing any damage beyond their max range - but we're going to be fixing this soon. Like soon soon, not SOON(tm).) What it needs is not a damage buff (it kills just fine) but a gentler damage falloff curve so that it can be used as an effective suppression weapon in the 50-70m range. As an attacker, right now it's too easy to shrug off the hits and close the gap between yourself and the person wielding the HMG so that's something I'd like to address as soon as possible.

Other smaller tweaks like lessening kick (which gets pretty excessive as the weapon nears its heat threshold) and a modest improvement in how quickly the weapon reaches optimal dispersion should make it feel much better.

Anyway, thanks for the ten-page thread, guys. I look forward to the next ten pages!

Or MD's...swarms... snipers.. lasers..

Only thing that works is AR.. I think the writing is on the wall

Above md while weaker still affective. Snipers still affective but need more skill swarms are fine. Lasers got a much needed range nerf. Stop jumping on the bandwagon and try being helpful

Stop smoochin booty and LISTEN to the real players ....

Stop smoochin booty and LISTEN to the real players ....

The HMG's optimal range is up to 30m and max. effective range caps out at 50m. (This is currently a hard cap - all weapons stop doing any damage beyond their max range - but we're going to be fixing this soon. Like soon soon, not SOON(tm).) What it needs is not a damage buff (it kills just fine) but a gentler damage falloff curve so that it can be used as an effective suppression weapon in the 50-70m range. As an attacker, right now it's too easy to shrug off the hits and close the gap between yourself and the person wielding the HMG so that's something I'd like to address as soon as possible.

This is a band aid on the heart attack that is "Range" in this game. (italics added)



So let's get this straight. CCP thinks the effective range on a "Heavy Machine Gun" is just over half a football field.

WTF is CCP talking about??? Their usage of a hard range cap as a metric for weapon differentiation has caused this ridiculous scenario we find ourselves in right now.

What CCP Remnant proposes is no fix. A fundamental re-thinking of range in DUST needs to be undertaken.

Stop smoochin booty and LISTEN to the real players ....

who are you?

This is currently a hard cap - all weapons stop doing any damage beyond their max range - but we're going to be fixing this soon. Like soon soon, not SOON(tm).

This is the best news I've heard.

...but it's only half the problem.

Effective Ranges need to be increased substantially across the board.

Agreed. But the ability to at least harass or suppress enemies at mid-long range with an AR will be a welcome improvement. That being said, this should have been in a long time ago.

This is a band aid on the heart attack that is "Range" in this game. (italics added)



So let's get this straight. CCP thinks the effective range on a "Heavy Machine Gun" is just over half a football field.

WTF is CCP talking about??? Their usage of a hard range cap as a metric for weapon differentiation has caused this ridiculous scenario we find ourselves in right now.

What CCP Remnant proposes is no fix. A fundamental re-thinking of range in DUST needs to be undertaken.

This is a band aid on the heart attack that is "Range" in this game. (italics added)



So let's get this straight. CCP thinks the effective range on a "Heavy Machine Gun" is just over half a football field.

WTF is CCP talking about??? Their usage of a hard range cap as a metric for weapon differentiation has caused this ridiculous scenario we find ourselves in right now.

What CCP Remnant proposes is no fix. A fundamental re-thinking of range in DUST needs to be undertaken.