Bio Engineer Archive

That's the question...

I'm seriously considering mastering rifleman and have come to you guys for some advice to help me make my decision. Right now I consider myself a "big game hunter" and, although I'm aware that my combat style would have to change (and I most likely won't be able to hunt some of the things I do now), I'm intrigued by all the talk of just how great the profession is once master status has been achieved.

Let me show you my template: Ranger 0/4/4/0 (Camps and Tracking), Rifleman 4/0/0/4 (Accuracy, headshots, bleeds and speed), Creature Handler 1/4/1/4 (I know, I'm sorry! I never meant to do it... but... but.. well, I have two GSP's which I control on seperate attack commands, and it's become anintegral part of my hunting strategy). I'm also Master Scout (required for ranger), Novice medic 2/0/0/0 (First aid), and Marksman 4/0/0/2 (Aim, threaten, some extra accuracy). I've got a couple of skill points spare at the moment as I just dropped a couple of CH boxes I've no use for.

Now, it's not the most effective template for all situations, but I can hold my own in PvP, drop a Giant Dune Kimogila without too much effort, and still keep with that "hunter" image that I like so much (as opposed to being followed round by a graul and three AT-ST's )

But now I'm rethinkingthings. Partly due to the future creature changes, partly because I never really wanted to rely on pets anyway, and partly just out of curiosity, The thing is, I find my rifle speed is already good, I'm more than happy with the damage I do, and I'm left wondering what I would really gain by going to master rifleman. I use a T-21 powered for reduced mind costs and speed, with the right foods I can hit HS3 constantly and barely dent my mind pool. Don't even use drugs (often!) anymore.

From what I've read on these boards it seems that flushing shot 2 and some of the other specials that I'm missing are really high damage attacks. But as I understand it, these are all random pool shots, unlike the targetted head shots I've come to rely on so much and which work so well with the bleeds. Would I really gain anything from taking the two missing trees, would you say they're most useful in PvP, or am I missing something else?

It's worth noting that it'll be the creature handling I'll drop if I'm going to take the route to master rifleman and as I said before, while I understand that I'll be looking at a major revision of tactics, I've no real problem with that. In a way, I look forward to the challenge.

The crux of it is: Is flushing shot, strafe shot and the extra defences I'll gain, plus the extra speed at master, worth trading for the security my two panthers offer me? Even if it is only for a couple more months...

I realise that none of you can make this decision for me, but I am interested in hearing your thoughts, views and feedback on my dilemma.

Many thanks for your help.

Zebri Kharan, Big game hunter.

Lowca.

If I were you, I would get Master Rifleman for sure - just so you can experience it and say that you've tried it. Keep enough CH to still have one GSP - that is the craziest trank critter in the game (forit's skill level)and is definitely a CH/rifleman's best friend.

what you will benefit as a big game hunter/ranger is

1) the speed. you already have 4004 - that's good, but that +20 at master will take a while to get used to (you will be surprised at your new killing ability).

2) the Area of effect attacks (flushin/startle/flurry/strafe) are the best attacks a big game hunter could ask for. Part of being a ranger is harvesting creatures (you make a lot of money doing this) - why kill one creature at a time when you can kill up to 6 in the same time or less?

also, get warningshot from the marksman tree, this is an essential shot for rifleman.

besides - you've done the hard grind already! (4004 - that combat xp is the longest part) and your speed is pretty decent. won't take you any time at all to master the prof.

try it out, tell us what you think - i think we'll have another diehard rifleman in our ranks very soon

I already use Flurry2 a lot when harvesting and I agree, the area attack is an extremely effective tool for this. A question, is the damage output of flushing shot 2 and strafe 2 significantly higher than flurry 2? I know there's a post stickied "up there" with comparisons on, I guess I'll check it out.

Does the additional +20 speed at master really have that profound an effect? Sounds very intriguing, that's for sure!

I'll most likely keep one cat until I reach the skill point crunch, I'm thinking about taking wayfaring again in ranger - another profession I really want to master. I have 900,000 rifle xp banked at the moment so that'll carry me through when I decide to make the change.

One more question then: Assuming I go ahead and commit to getting master, where am I going to spend that xp first? I'll have enough to reach the third box in one tree andbe just50,000 short of the first box in the next tree. I'm thinking flushing shot 2 would be the one to go for, with conceal shot being my next priority. Sensible choice? Or should I approach it a different way?

Thanks a lot for the input, it's appreciated. I've a feeling I'll be going for master fairly soon...

Respectfully,

Zebri Kharan, Big game hunter.

Lowca.

Well, the obvious answer of course is: Master Rifleman! You will like it. Seriously. Strafe Shot 2 is very nice, and the speed boost you will get is worth getting there on it's own.

However, if you just want to get more effective hunting skills, think about just changing some skills.

First, for a hunter conceal shot might be nice. Sure, maybe you don't need it when you have pets. But still I think it's the most "hunter-like" skill for us.

Then, if you use pet's anyway, think about this: Headshot 3 (that you seem to be using) does 3x damage. Flushing 2 does 4x damage, and stuns. However, as you say, it does attack a random pool. I think the chance to hit health is about 50%, so let's assume flushing does only 2x damage. However, you can hit multiple targets. If you ahve sturdy pets, just let them aggro every MOB in sight. You can easily have 3 or 4 MOBs attacking your pet, and they will likely all be close together. Now, in the same time and for the same mind use (well, almost at least), you deal 2x damage instead of 3x, but to 4 targets! Which would equate to 8x damage.

Of course it's not that easy, but it's incredible. For someone hunting with a pet that can hold aggro of several MOBs for a minute or two, the AE are more effective in most times. However, you will loose your bleeding shot, because it's not contributing to the damage. However, in my experience, you have killed everything faster than the mind bleed can do much good anyway.


However, if you like PvP, you probably want to hold on your 4xxx . The AE are nice, but I'd assume unless you go Master and get Strafe 2 with insane speed, the mind attacks will be more effective there...

hmm.. if you're also attempting to master Ranger - maybe you should do yourself a favor and never master rifleman... if you do master rifle, you will probably never be able to live without the +20 speed bonus again

since you have tanks, concealshot isn't really that useful to you. Might as well go to flushing2 (it does have slightly higher damage output that flurry2 - and strafe2 has even more damage still).

my .02 -you haven'texperienced rifleman until you've mastered it.

Dabbling in rifleman is like going to the movies, and only eating popcorn without watching a movie... it just doesn't compare, this isn't a dabbler profession. The difference between 4/0/0/4 and master is that you will shoot 4x faster and have a number of area of effect attacks at your disposal (which really are our bread and butter shots) along with the infamous conceal shot. If you only have limited points to spend I would suggest getting some pistoleer, the difference between 4/0/0/4 and master in that profession is not nearly as large as it is in rifleman.

LOL Thanks Jeisyn! I'll heed that warning about the speed bonus! (Hmm.. well, I probably won't.. but I'm more and more intrigued as to how much of a difference it'll make every minute that passes!).

Eventually, I'll probably drop the CH altogether. It was never my original intention and I swore when I took it up that I'd drop it again someday. That day is approaching. When I first looked over the professions ranger conceal and rifle conceal shot were almost the first things I saw. It could be time to see how well they work together.

With regard to the AoE attacks - I hear what you're saying. I've often taken out multiples when hunting for good hides or meat by using the cat in exactly that way, it's an awesome strategy. From checking out the stickies above, it seems that Flushing2 and Strafe2 will be well worth the investment compared with Flurry2 (the only AoE option I have at the moment).

Ok, ok! You've convinced me! I'll do it!

Thanks an awful lot for the advice guys. I'll say something, the enthusiasm you master riflemen show counts for a lot. Continually I've heard that rifleman is one profession where hitting master makes a huge difference to your effectiveness, something not a lot of other professions can boast at the moment.

It's time to find out for myself...

Thanks again,

Zebri Kharan, Big game hunter. Master Rifleman in the making.

Lowca.

hehe, you're welcome

good to hear! Let us know when you attain master (you will be bursting with too muchpride and excitement to NOT let us know, i'm sure!)

Jeisyn Blackwell ~ Master Marksman ~ Master Rifleman ~ 0340 Doctor

Tempest

I just made master a few days ago. Tell you what, I hit dantooine and started strafing pikets. My jaw dropped to the floor at the difference between 4/4/4/4 rifleman and master.

im with jowab,i made master sunday, i dropped a fierce piket protector in 7 shots (less than 15 seconds),i couldnt belive it. Most duels now last 2 to 3 shots with strafe shot 2, plus they have a hard time hitting me from 60 m.

To have fun i went to the gungan island near keren on naboo, i soloed the whole island, which is atleast 25 gungans. I could never get close to killing all of them with only TK master (my other skill), but I was taking on 6-8 gungans at a time, and in 3 hits of strafeshot 2 all of them were down, it was great.

Master is well worth it

-Hey You {Bria}

Teras Kasi Master, Master Sharpshooter.

Oh btw get conceal shot to help you level faster, then go for countersniping. Flushing shot 2 is the best next to strafe shot 2.

I know the benefits of mastering BH carbine speed wise and this is not a post about that. My question is, would it be pointless to go through all the effort of mastering it since the mods and benefits may change after the combat system in which our speed will be adressed?? Nova hopefully i can get something from you on this...

/bump

anyone have an opinion on this?