Also remember that two of the four basic starter fits come stocked with an unlimited supply of free ARs, while the other two are the Sniper and AV fits

The fact that anyone running a free suit to save ISK is probably using an AR is bound to significantly skew your data in it's favor.

There are a lot of cool-LOOKING weapons in the game. I really like to play around with all the different stuff, and would do so even more than I have, if SP weren't an issue. Unfortunately, none of them seem to be as versatile or easy to use as the AR. Which bums me out, since I find the AR kind of boring. I've been running it on an alt the past few days, though, and it makes everything so much ... easier. It's a shame, really, since the diversity of weapons, suits, etc., is what drew me to this. Now, though, I'm thinking I may just go ahead and skill my main into an AR after all, so that when the inevitable (re)nerf comes to my mass driver, I still have something that is usable...

Also remember that two of the four basic starter fits come stocked with an unlimited supply of free ARs, while the other two are the Sniper and AV fits

The fact that anyone running a free suit to save ISK is probably using an AR is bound to significantly skew your data in it's favor.

Also, many of the other weapons need to be specifically and intentionally bought and/or specced into. A player needs to go looking for them in the Marketplace, ensure they meet any SP requirements, and apply them to a custom Dropsuit, in order to use them.

The AR is handed to ALL new players, the moment they set foot into Battle Academy.

It's no surprise (to me) that the majority (at least of newer) players in pub matches would be more familiar and comfortable with, and therefor more likely to use, an AR over any of the other weapons.

Exactly. There is a bit of a bias in the results but, nonetheless, it is an interesting statistic.

I've made this argument so many times, so I'll shorten it for you. The Mass Driver will not get "nerfed". It's functioning perfectly as intended.

I've made this argument so many times, so I'll shorten it for you. The Mass Driver will not get "nerfed". It's functioning perfectly as intended.

Every game mechanic should have its own strengths, weaknesses, and respective niche on the battlefield that they excel at to counter eachother. If one thing overpowers everything else, what's to point of having variety outside of novelty?

Personally, with respect, I think this is wildly optimistic.

Diversity.

Imagine a hypothetical battle between two equally-skilled squads, both employing teamwork to optimize the strengths of their respective weapons (snipers providing cover fire, etc.).

Now imagine that one squad is using nothing but ARs, and the other using a mix of weapons. Which squad do you think would come out on top?

ARs DON'T overpower everything on the field. A sniper rifle is still a better alternative for long-distance support, for example.

However, that's not to say that Diversity means all weapons are used equally, either. It just means that all weapons have a place and a purpose, and, right now, most of them do.

Diversity.

Imagine a hypothetical battle between two equally-skilled squads, both employing teamwork to optimize the strengths of their respective weapons (snipers providing cover fire, etc.).

Now imagine that one squad is using nothing but ARs, and the other using a mix of weapons. Which squad do you think would come out on top?

ARs DON'T overpower everything on the field. A sniper rifle is still a better alternative for long-distance support, for example.

However, that's not to say that Diversity means all weapons are used equally, either. It just means that all weapons have a place and a purpose, and, right now, most of them do.

This is all good, hypothetically. The reality doesn't support this, at least in pub matches. Even in PC data, the AR is only outused by the HMG, interestingly.

This is all good, hypothetically. The reality doesn't support this, at least in pub matches. Even in PC data, the AR is only outused by the HMG, interestingly.

But I'm only asking if this matters, not why it's the case that AR usage is so out of the norm.

Despite the fact that the AR might be predominantly used, that doesn't necessarily mean there can be no diversity. Even a squad comprised of two ARs, a Mass Driver, an HMG, a Shotgun, and a Sniper displays depth and diversity, even though there are more ARs than any other weapon.

Most doesn't cut it when 1 or 2 weapons are more effective that the 10 others by comparison.

More effective at what, sniping? CQC? AV?

By the way, I think ARs offer a lot of variety within themselves. Nobody compares the Scrambler Rifle and the Assault Scrambler Rifle, but for some reason the AR and the TAR are the same thing in people's mind. And then there's the Burst and the Breach AR too.

Right now the stock AR is a tiny bit too good, but otherwise I'm quite happy with the diversity in the game. You just never know what kind of loadout is going to pop around the corner.

What weaknesses does the AR have compared to other weapons?

Which weapon?

I'd say no, it doesn't. Remembering that other weapons excel situationally yet tend to suffer greatly outside of specialty and considering how frequently a frontliner may find themselves outside of that specialty, it's fair for a general purpose weapon to find a home in the hands of a large portion of the player base.

Diversity.

Imagine a hypothetical battle between two equally-skilled squads, both employing teamwork to optimize the strengths of their respective weapons (snipers providing cover fire, etc.).

Now imagine that one squad is using nothing but ARs, and the other using a mix of weapons. Which squad do you think would come out on top?

ARs DON'T overpower everything on the field. A sniper rifle is still a better alternative for long-distance support, for example.

However, that's not to say that Diversity means all weapons are used equally, either. It just means that all weapons have a place and a purpose, and, right now, most of them do.

Which weapon?

Surprise me

Surprise me

- shotgun can OHKO with a wider reticle at close range.

- sniper rifle, forge gun, laser rifle have obvious range advantage.

- CFLP and mass drivers do increased damage to armor

- nova knives can OHKO without giving opponent chance to react.

- scrambler rifle offers ability to charge for high alpha headshots.

- mass drivers are better at assist farming / lolareadenial

All those weapons suck, even in their own niches, the AR might not be the best at anything, but it certainly is second best, and definitely not a true "jack of all trades, master of none" weapon, it simply isn't average enough for that.

Oh, but this fine because they don't have the range of snipers

have said before...

think in terms of RL military (shut up, i know it's a game)

... it's built around everyone being able to use a standard weapon (AK-47, M16, w/e). this is your baseline.

... everything else in the military's inventory is specialized and brings certain advantages/disadvantages compared to that baseline. so in a sense, the predominance of ARs makes some sort of sense - everyone is playing average joe infantry guy because it's what they are able to play best.

having said baseline doesn't necessarily hurt anything in this game.

diversity? is not a goal in itself. the goal is to make sure that specializing has proper advantages as well as disadvantages and then everyone can play within their playstyle. long range, close range, or mid range ... using a specialized weapon to leverage its advantages and compensate for disadvantages requires additional time commitment, tactical awareness, ... whatever. not even sure what my point was now.

in conclusion: AR's fine, other weapons are ok. except for CFLP. nerf that ****.