SMGs?

Palerion · 2013-01-09, 09:29 PM

So I read Higby's update on what to expect in the next patch, and as my greatest concern is generally infantry and infantry weapon balance, the fact that SMGs are being added certainly caught my eye.

So, what do you think (or even know? o.O) these new weapons will be like, and how will they stand out from the rest of our automatic weaponry?

maradine · 2013-01-09, 09:36 PM

As things are currently balanced, I'm not sure. Two possible options:

Moderate damage, short range, hip-fire spray weapons
Pistol upgrades.

I'm sure there's more, but there's not a ton of room for speculation - I'd just as soon wait for an update.

Brutal Magikarp · 2013-01-09, 09:37 PM

Close quarters machine gun with smaller clip? Sounds like a carbine

Palerion · 2013-01-09, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by Brutal Magikarp

Close quarters machine gun with smaller clip? Sounds like a carbine

Kinda what I was thinking :P Hopefully SOE has something up their sleeve to make it stand out a bit though.

VGCS · 2013-01-09, 09:55 PM

Go ahead and Kiss goodbye whatever hopes Infiltrators had of gaining an equal footing in close quarters. ....Unless these things have the weakest headshot modifier of any weapon in the game (but if they were willing to go that far with the balancing, then they might as well give LMGs/Chainguns the same treatment too)

AThreatToYou · 2013-01-09, 10:02 PM

I'm thinking it's a pistol sidegrade, although we would need at least 2x optics for pistols in order for that to be fair.

My reference is the PS1 AMP pistol. The alternative is that it is the Punisher.

In any case, no one cares, because they won't fix anything.

Palerion · 2013-01-09, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by AThreatToYou

I'm thinking it's a pistol sidegrade, although we would need at least 2x optics for pistols in order for that to be fair.

My reference is the PS1 AMP pistol. The alternative is that it is the Punisher.

In any case, no one cares, because they won't fix anything.

What would you want them to fix?

maradine · 2013-01-09, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by VGCS

Go ahead and Kiss goodbye whatever hopes Infiltrators had of gaining an equal footing in close quarters. ....Unless these things have the weakest headshot modifier of any weapon in the game (but if they were willing to go that far with the balancing, then they might as well give LMGs/Chainguns the same treatment too)

I don't think infiltrators are supposed to be on equal footing in close quarters. That said, don't discount the possibility SMGs are infil-only weapons. Who knows?

Sunrock · 2013-01-09, 10:48 PM

Well SMG (Submachine gun) are close quarter weapons in general... It's basically an automatic carbine, designed to fire pistol cartridges. Most famous SMG have to be the Thompson. So no I don't think it's a side grade to the pistol. but maybe. The TEC 9 is a SMG too and that is more a pistol so might be that it is.

maradine · 2013-01-09, 10:54 PM

The TEC-9 was designed and sold as a handgun. Early, open-bolt models were hackable into a machine pistol at a considerable cost to reliability. Later, closed-bolt models were not.

And while I'm being pedantic, I'll note that carbines are generally short-barreled versions of assault rifles. The Thompson was a bespoke design. It's also a royal pain in the ass to keep on the paper under full auto.

AThreatToYou · 2013-01-09, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by Palerion

What would you want them to fix?

Exactly, there's nothing to fix.

SturmovikDrakon · 2013-01-09, 10:59 PM

I'm more afraid that they will just take the basic AR for each empire, cut it in half, give it the basic animation that every other rifle has and call it an SMG

the gun variety isn't very impressive

watch, they won't even change the magazine to reflect the smaller rounds

(please prove me wrong SOE

)

Deadeye · 2013-01-10, 10:22 AM

The advantages to SMGs tend to be their small size, light weight and very high rate of fire. They also tend to have very good accuracy and sustained fire accuracy because of the lighter kick of the small caliber rounds.

So here is what they should be:

Very high rate of fire.
High accuracy and sustained fire accuracy.
Medium to low damage per bullet.
Fast reload and fast equip and/or fast aim-down-sites time.
Short range, fast bullet drop (not for long ranges).
Not suitable beyond like 50 feet.

Pretty much make them great in biolab fights but not for fighting across open ground.

Memeotis · 2013-01-10, 10:38 AM

I mentioned this in an other post, but I'll say it again

I think the implementation of an SMG requires that SOE adds more stats for us to manipulate on our character, because what makes an SMG distinct is of course it's hip-fire accuracy, but also the relatively high movement-speed when aiming down sights.

In general I think it would be nice if we had more stats to play around with, so that we could feel more unique on the battlefield, and also tinker with the stats to match our play-style. This game would sky-rocket in appeal if players were much more customizable, and it would also make it much easier for SOE to stay true to their promise of sidegrades.

NewSith · 2013-01-10, 10:53 AM

Light Machine Gun
Assault Rifle
Carbine
Personal Defense Weapon
Submachine Gun

Why now PDWs? ROOOOAAAAR!