Tharak Meuridiar
The Empyrean Agency
81
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Posted - 2013.06.11 01:37:00 -
[1] - Quote
So this isn't just a "_____ wuld B kool so U shud maek it!" thread. I actually believe flamethrowers would make a positive impact on the flow of the game, and I'm about to explain why.
Right now I classify effective close quarters weapons into 2 categories. Ambush, and spray and pray.
Ambush Weapons: The two current ambush weapons are nova knives and shotguns. Ambush weapons are slow to moderate fire rate with high damage and super low range. With ambush weapons the best tactic is to take out unwary targets by coming from a direction they won't expect and killing them before they know you're there. These differ from long range ambush weapons like sniper rifles, plasma cannons, and forge guns in that they are fast enough you can still take out an opponent close range with some well placed hits if they start fighting back. However if they get some range and start kiting... you're pretty much dead.
Spray and Pray Weapons: Spray and pray weapons are SMGs, ARs, HMGs, and Assault Scrams. In the fast paced action of close quarters combat these tend to dominate outside ambush situations because when up against tricky targets you can kind of sweep them down by continually spraying a stream of bullets as you attempt to keep your crosshairs on them. They also all have much longer ranges than ambush weapons with SMGs good to any range that could be called "close quarters" and the rest actually being DESIGNED for use at medium range. The AR being good from very close to farther out than pretty much anything other than snipers and laser rifles.
The Problem: Here's the really big problem you're prolly seeing. Medium range weapons are WAY too good close in. Good enough that ARs are actually deadlier in many close quarters situations than shotguns, which by being a light weapon force the user into CQ only role. (As sidearms are all designed to be used pretty close in.)
Fixing Ambush Weapons: The problem with ambush weapons (aside from depending on being accurate and this requiring much more skill) is that if you spray and pray wielding opponent dodges to the side, and then backpedals, you are likely to get sprayed down while trying to get in range again. A simple fix for this is buff the non-sprint speeds of users who have shotguns and knives equipped.
The Flamethrower: Should be a dedicated CQ spray and pray weapon. It could be either a light weapon that does about as much damage as an HMG but is restricted to a slightly lower effective range than an SMG, or a heavy weapon that absolutely shreds everything close range. The point is giving us an effective weapon for clearing out enemies close range, so the same people cutting us down as we run across a road aren't the ones we fear most when we go in CQ to overrun their position.
Final Note: If this happens the forums will immediately fill with tears from the AR toting masses about how OP the dedicated CQ weapons are. Just kindly explain to them that there is a reason ARs aren't the only weapon in the game, and people are meant to run thing other than ARs with AV grenades sometimes.
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