Post by spike on Oct 4, 2011 6:44:23 GMT -5
There does not seem to be much reason to carry an Auto weapon vs a good SMG. The good SMGs (all "brand name" SMGs are identically good) have the same firepower (Power x Speed / AP) as the Auto weapons. They are -1 short on range (5 vs 4) but otherwise same characteristics. Less ammo capacity but that's not a big deal, especially as the SMG will probably use less ammo *. Most important the weapons are cheaper and easier to find, and the (Pistol) ammo for SMGs is much cheaper and much easier to find. Given the scarcity of the Auto weapons and ammo, plus on grounds of realism and game play, the Auto weapons need more advantages relative to the SMGs.
Suggestion:
Give the Auto weapons more Power and more Accuracy than they have today. Definitely more Accuracy than the SMGs. They should have as much power or more than the best Pistols (which is not currently true). So take the Power up from 4 to 5 or 6 and Accuracy up from 2 to at least 3. (Accuracy's not that important except in the early game as it can be largely replaced by skill once the character develops.) Also, as noted elsewhere, take the range up a lot relative to SMGs and Pistols, but less than Heavy/Sniper weapons. Eg. increase Auto range typically to around 10-12, Heavy/Sniper range typically to around 20-24.
When mob armour is implemented the Auto weapons should be given a Penetration advantage and this will also help.
Edit to add: OK SMGs have slightly less average firepower than Auto weapons because Attack ability drops by -1 on each successive shot within a burst, so for a full 4-round burst an SMG has an average accuracy per shot of -6/4 = -1.5 vs an Auto weapon full 3-round burst average accuracy per shot of -3/3 = -1. I think this is a very small difference.
Note*: I think that SMG will likely use less ammo because you are more likely to be able to stop short of firing a full burst due to the target already being dead. You can stop at 3, 6, or 9 damage. Auto can stop at 4 or 8 damage. And a miss costs you more with an Auto weapon because you wasted 4 damage rather than 3.
Suggestion:
Give the Auto weapons more Power and more Accuracy than they have today. Definitely more Accuracy than the SMGs. They should have as much power or more than the best Pistols (which is not currently true). So take the Power up from 4 to 5 or 6 and Accuracy up from 2 to at least 3. (Accuracy's not that important except in the early game as it can be largely replaced by skill once the character develops.) Also, as noted elsewhere, take the range up a lot relative to SMGs and Pistols, but less than Heavy/Sniper weapons. Eg. increase Auto range typically to around 10-12, Heavy/Sniper range typically to around 20-24.
When mob armour is implemented the Auto weapons should be given a Penetration advantage and this will also help.
Edit to add: OK SMGs have slightly less average firepower than Auto weapons because Attack ability drops by -1 on each successive shot within a burst, so for a full 4-round burst an SMG has an average accuracy per shot of -6/4 = -1.5 vs an Auto weapon full 3-round burst average accuracy per shot of -3/3 = -1. I think this is a very small difference.
Note*: I think that SMG will likely use less ammo because you are more likely to be able to stop short of firing a full burst due to the target already being dead. You can stop at 3, 6, or 9 damage. Auto can stop at 4 or 8 damage. And a miss costs you more with an Auto weapon because you wasted 4 damage rather than 3.
