Does Diversity Matter?

The thing is, unless you drive the AR a mile into the ground, it's always going to be the most used weapon, and maybe it should be.
But wait, there's more. An AR is a simple to use weapon, and many will be familiar with it. It's you standard "do all" weapon that doesn't excel in any area.
Now, I'm not saying it's perfect as is, but chances are, unless the nerfhammer hits it harder than an LAV hits a heavy, it's probably going to stick as the most used weapon for a while to come, because of it's familiarity and versatility.

I get that it will likely always be the most popular. My question is more about is it too popular, or is it not even important how popular it is/isn't because diversity doesn't matter?

Obviously, I think it's current popularity is too high, and that this is hurting the game by hurting diversity, but I don't ever expect the AR to not be popular.

We have 10 of 12 weapons though, that combined, are only used (to kill) just a little bit more than the single weapon system that is the AR.

Is that a problem to you?

Fair enough, yeah, I'd say the AR is a tad over the expected usage of it, although, I must say, I fear that if the flaylock is brought into line, then many will return to the AR, spiking it's numbers once again.

Straight answer: Diversity is key to a game like this, more needs to be done to encourage experimentation, not punish it.

Compiles 4 skirmish games worth of "data"

Implies that CCP don't know **** 'bout their own data, through suggesting that 4 games worth of data counters well over a years worth of gameplay data

Cla.....

What I see here are a lot of people looking at the 50m target and not seeing the 300m.

First let me say that the idea that dust doesnt favor diversity is off base. I maintain about 20ish fits, for whatever situation I might run into/can think of. The game is intended to be situational. In that sense having all theses options by simply running to the resupply and resuiting is a core mechanic......if you use it. No I dont switch suits every game. Yes, I favor the AR because the AR is a standard weapon.

The idea that the SP system locks you into a role only reflects the fact that the game is still new. Ya if feels like that now, it wont feel like that in a year when you have 20-30m sp or whatever. If you are still locked into a role at that point it is because you chose to do so. Naturally, if you can do a few roles well, you proabably arent as good at any of them as someone who stayed specialized. Yet, you have more options.

This is a core CCP philosophy and isn't going anywhere. Welcome to New Eden. HTFU.

This is a core CCP philosophy and isn't going anywhere. Welcome to New Eden. HTFU.

Yes I am fine with it. This game isn't done. There is a long way to go and as the player base develop so will the tactics and weapon choices they make. I think this is nothing more than the growing pains of a new game.

But let me add that the AR will probably always be dominate. Just like the standard combat rifles in real life. Assualt rifles are the first and most commonly use weapon for all the obvious reasons. As you develop your skill, perferences and a team your weapon choice will tend to change. Expecting the AR to NOT do most of the killing...especially this early in the game, isnt reasonable.

No its QQ like a b!tch until CCP grants your wish then run back to thinking you run things

Lets use weapons at range and not rush in, lets use re's to bait the flaylock and contact grenade rushers, lets play more careful - Adapt or Die

No - lets QQ til CCP nerfs another weapon. Good

Its back to run and gun, others dont like it "go back to insert fps insult"

Mad skills baby

.....So why quote me then? lol

Others also collected data. The combined kills for pub matches is 850. I agree that CCP has the real data, but they don't seem to want to present it, so I, and others, collected what we could.

I think these data are a decent cross section of pub matches.

You are free to collect your own set and compare. If you do, please post the results.

Because obviously your fake mantra given to you by this oh so great developer doesnt hold any water or are you happy being deluded.

So, I assume you're good then with the AR usage being just a little bit more than the least used 10 out of 12 weapons combined?

Rename the AR once other variants come out make it the Blaster Rifle so there is nothing called the AR which will make the majority of new players think before going "Uhhhh.... me be scrub, me need assault rifle!" they won't see an assault rifle then they'll be more likely to choose a more interesting variant.