Pikeman Archive
Thread: Question: Beginner Weapons?
I wasn't flaming... all I'm saying is, you use the wooden staff for 5 minutes, then you move on to the RICS or metal staff. It really isn't that bad. 
SageEidolon wrote:
Yeah, ok. Thanks for all the help, guys. Thought this was a small, supportive, non-flaming community.
Have a quick look at the skills boxes, they will list what weapon certs you get.Sorry to accuse you of flaming. I've just been throughthree of the combat professions, have bought every conceivable pistol, rifle, andone-handed weaponimaginable...but would like to steer clear of having to buy and try EVERY staff, lance, and pike out there to find one that works for me.
I understand the skill boxes and certifications, guys. My question is: Is there a good pikeman weapon which doesn't require a certification - or requires a low certification (Polearms III or lower) so that a relatively new pikeman can jump into it? An appropriate equivalent would be the disruptor rifle, which can be picked up at Rifles III, or the Geo pistol. These are great weapons that are available to low level Riflemen and Pistoleers (while they are still in the Marksman tree actually), but they have to know about them first! It is the knowledge of a similar weapon that I am seeking from my more experience friends here.
If you want to tell me I am being lazy, fine. I am not grinding towards any conceivable goal other than trying to find a fighting style that I like. TKA, Fencer, Carbines and Pistols just don't work for me. So I'm switching to polearms and rifles to get the most bang for my buck - I want things to feel it when I smack them! In keeping with that play style, I would like to skip as much of the low-end weapons ladder as possible. I could use the wooden staff, and then a metal staff or a reinforced combat staff (as opposed to a reinforced peacetime staff?), then try out the basic lance, and then the long vibro axe, and then amass an insane 195,000 xp before I even get to trya vibro lance - heck, I already have the first three! - but I would simply like to know if there is a hard hitting polearm out there for us players which haven't reached Novice Pikeman yet?
Thank you.
SageEidolon wrote:
Sorry to accuse you of flaming. I've just been throughthree of the combat professions, have bought every conceivable pistol, rifle, andone-handed weaponimaginable...but would like to steer clear of having to buy and try EVERY staff, lance, and pike out there to find one that works for me.
I understand the skill boxes and certifications, guys. My question is: Is there a good pikeman weapon which doesn't require a certification - or requires a low certification (Polearms III or lower) so that a relatively new pikeman can jump into it? An appropriate equivalent would be the disruptor rifle, which can be picked up at Rifles III, or the Geo pistol. These are great weapons that are available to low level Riflemen and Pistoleers (while they are still in the Marksman tree actually), but they have to know about them first! It is the knowledge of a similar weapon that I am seeking from my more experience friends here.
If you want to tell me I am being lazy, fine. I am not grinding towards any conceivable goal other than trying to find a fighting style that I like. TKA, Fencer, Carbines and Pistols just don't work for me. So I'm switching to polearms and rifles to get the most bang for my buck - I want things to feel it when I smack them! In keeping with that play style, I would like to skip as much of the low-end weapons ladder as possible. I could use the wooden staff, and then a metal staff or a reinforced combat staff (as opposed to a reinforced peacetime staff?), then try out the basic lance, and then the long vibro axe, and then amass an insane 195,000 xp before I even get to trya vibro lance - heck, I already have the first three! - but I would simply like to know if there is a hard hitting polearm out there for us players which haven't reached Novice Pikeman yet?
Thank you.
Okay, desiring to be the most effective combatant I can be,I have analyzed my two favorite combinations:Pistoleer/Fencer and Rifleman/Pikeman. I have zero interest in the hybrid professions (Bounty Hunter, Smuggler, Squad Leader, etc). My analysis seems to reveal that Pikmen have no significant niche in the game, unfortunately. Not only are Fencers and TKM better defensively, but the lack of polearm-accuracy leaves Pikemen struggling offensively as well.
Below are my findings, the modifiers listed as x/y - where "x" equals Pistoleer/Fencer and "y" equals Rifleman/Pikeman. Modifiers in red favor the Pistoleer/Fencer combo, those in green favor the Rifleman/Pikeman combo, and those in blue are tied.
Defensive Skills:
Alertness +10/+0
Center of being duration +31/+30
Center of being efficacy +115/+115
Combat Equilibrium +30/+0
Cover +0/+80
Defense vs Blind +80/+30
Defense vs Dizzy +80/+50
Defense vs Intimidate +20/+0
Defense vs Knockdown +100/+20
Defense vs Posture Change +70/+60
Defense vs Stun +40/+60
Dodge/Block +185/+185 (capped at +125)
Melee Defense +119/+70
Melee Toughness +32/+26
Ranged Defense +76/+97
Rifle Concealment Chance +0/+100
Offensive Melee Skills:
Melee Weapon Accuracy +170/+150 (capped at +125)
Melee Weapon Speed +90/+75
Offensive Ranged Skills:
Ranged Weapon Accuracy +95/+160 (capped at +125)
Ranged Weapon Accuracy While Moving +30/+10 (+125/+170 stacked, capped at +125)
Ranged Weapon Accuracy While Standing +15/+0 (+110/+160 stacked, capped at +125)
Ranged Weapon Aiming +16/+100
Ranged Weapon Speed +74/+90
As you can see, the Rifleman/Pikeman combo only stands out with regard to ranged combat - meaning there is not benefit to the polearms profession. Do you feel that this is an accurate analysis?
Ummm ... in answer to your question, no, there is no good pikeman weapon that does not require certification.
I assume you mean do we have a republic blaster equivilent?
No, we do not.
Wood staff -> Metal staff -> Basic Lance -> Vibro lance -> Long Vibro Axe.
Thats just the way it is.