Pistoleer Archive

Welcome to the Pistol Specials FAQ Ver. 1.0!

In this FAQ, I will describe the bugs, and uses for each of the Pistoleer specials.

Thank you to Philosopher, since all of the bug descriptions in this post will be from his Pistoleer State of the Profession thread.

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1) DISARMING SHOT 1 AND DISARMING SHOT 2 DON'T WORK (Reported in AUGUST): These specials do not “disarm” an opponent or do ANYTHING else and are useless in their current forms (the descriptions do not match the special effect). DisarmingShot1 has no special effect -- it just does random HAM damage. Actually, it does LESS DAMAGE THAN THE DEFAULT AUTO ATTACK (when you don’t use a special attack), due to the delay. DisarmingShot2 (Master Pistoleer special) used to be an AOE Knockdown, but now it just does more damage to the person using it (in HAM costs) than it does to the enemy. Please add something useful to these specials, because they are unique signature specials of Pistoleers. In the past we've made a number of suggestions, including making DisarmingShot a ranged Intimidate, making it an ability similar to Panic Shot, or making it "disarm" an opponent by preventing him from equipping any weapon for a certain number of seconds, with a timer. Even hitting the Action bar for a decent amount of damage (say, 2.0 and 3.5 modifiers), at this point, would be worthwhile given that all of our specials tend to hit the Health bar. From our perspective, ANYTHING that is actually useful, at this point, would be welcome. One idea we'd like to take off the table -- Pistoleers are uniformly against the idea of damaging the condition of an opponent's weapon, because we are not interested in griefing other players. Please give us something that helps us kill the enemy, not grief him by destroying his expensive gun.

PvP use(s): No use. It is random HAM, gives no status effect, and its better to use the default attack.

PvE use(s): No use. Same as PvP.

Note: Assuming you are only 0/0/1/0 in Pistoleer, it would be better to use Body Shot 2 in than Disarming shot 1.

Note: If your a Master Pistoleer with Disarming Shot 2, use Fan Shot or Stopping Shot.

Note: This attack seems to do high damage on lairs of creatures and NPCs.

2) BODYSHOT 3 IS WORSE THAN BODYSHOT 2 (Reported in AUGUST): BodyShot3 (Pistoleer Grips 3) is outperformed by BodyShot2 (Marksman), and has been worse than BodyShot2 since release! We reported this in our first month's report, and it's still not fixed. Since BodyShot3 is the ONLY targeted HAM special in the entire Pistoleer tree, it should be significantly more effective than the special we get in Marksman. Just in case you don't believe us, multiple tests all showed the same results: (+74 pistol speed, 4.0 speed, 17-35 damage CDEF on unarmored, same opponent:

Body Shot 2 = 80.4 avg dmg per shot 1.8s avg delay = 43.8 dmg per second (Marksman skill)

Body Shot 3 = 97.8 avg dmg per shot 2.5s avg delay = 39.0 dmg per second (Pistoleer Grips 3)

We need BodyShot3 to be effective, given that it's our only targeted damage shot. A 3.5x damage modifier, a reduced delay modifier, a state effect added to it, ANYTHING to make it effective for a Pistoleer. As it currently stands, it’s basically useless, and it’s one of our hallmark special attacks.

PvP use(s): Body Shot 3 has no use, since Body Shot 2 is better than it. I have found a use for Body Shot 2 for two reasons in PvP: 1.) If you don't have a better shot. 2.) If your opponent has a low health bar, or is already damaged in health, in which you can use Body Shot 2 as the targeted finisher.

PvE use(s): See PvP uses.

4) MULTI TARGET PISTOL SHOT IS BROKEN (Reported in SEPTEMBER): Multi Target Pistol Shot, one of our Master Pistoleer specials, works only sporadically and even then is ineffective. I can't get the special to fire most of time when I've tried to test it, and even when it "works" it is worse than just firing by using the TAB key to move to the next target. As a Master Pistoleer special, it should provide a significant benefit -- right now it rarely works and isn't worth using when it does. Just make this into an AOE attack (since we know that the AOE code actually works) that targets the Health pool, and add a bleed/DoT or state effect. If that isn’t possible, make it a high damage AOE random HAM attack with a useful state effect (knockdown, blind, etc). Maybe even the “attack everyone within 32m” idea that the Combat Dev mentioned would suffice, as long as the code actually worked so we could hit everyone instantaneously. As a Master Pistoleer special, MTPS should be worth using and provide an incentive to climb up the tree instead of just dabbling at the bottom. Pistoleer specials are in general redundant, vanilla, and are seriously lacking without any ranged state effects, ranged knockdown, etc. One way to improve them is to have effective AOE attacks that work, such as MTPS.

PvP use(s): Assuming that you are a Master Pistoleer, this attack has no use. Since you have Fan Shot and Stopping Shot, (with the speed +20 at Master) this attack is terrible in comparision. Right now, MTPS doesn't even work half the time, and if you want a AOE attack, use Fan Shot.

PvE use(s): See PvP uses.

5) PISTOL MELEE DEFENSE 2 DOESN'T WORK (Reported in SEPTEMBER): This special currently does nothing -- it doesn't knock down the target, cause a state effect, or do anything else worthwhile ... yet it has a HIGHER HAM cost than Pistol Melee Defense 1, which is a melee knockdown. Right now it causes as much damage to the Pistoleer using the attack as it does to the enemy and is never worth using, as a MELEE range random HAM attack with high HAM cost. Please add the dizzy state effect to this special, so it's worth using as a combo with Melee Defense 1, and lower the HAM cost to be in line with the other pistol specials. Right now this special is totally broken.

PvP use(s): No use. Random HAM attack that does not KD. Use Pistol Melee Defense 1.

PvE use(s): See PvP uses.

8) POINT BLANK AREA 2 IS BROKEN (Reported in SEPTEMBER): It is only hitting one target and not multiple targets -- please fix the area of effect. Also, the damage should be increased to make up for this being a point blank attack -- right now it has a similar DPS to Marksman specials, even though it is not attained until Pistoleer Grips 4 and is limited to melee range. Point blank attacks are so limiting to fast moving ranged combat professions that they need to offer significant benefits in order to be worth the risk of using. Significantly increase the damage on this special, and consider making it an AOE Warning Shot, so it can be useful to a Pistoleer who is being aggroed by multiple creatures.

PvP use(s): No uses.

PvE use(s): No uses.

Note: This attack has the same uses as Point Blank Single 2.

9) DOUBLE TAP IS WORSE THAN MARKSMAN SPECIALS (Reported in SEPTEMBER): This special, achieved at Pistoleer Techniques 2, is currently outperformed by the Marksman skills that any Pistoleer already has (Kip Up Shot, Roll Shot) in terms of pure DPS. We suggest a damage increase, or a drastic delay decrease so this can become the "quick attack" for low level Pistoleers. If there is something that could be done with this special attack to make it unique, that would also be welcome, since we have so many redundant special attacks that only do random HAM damage (and as you see, far less than they should).

PvP use(s): Assuming you are 0/0/2/0, there is still no use for this. Body Shot 2 would do you better in PvP.

PvE use(s): See PvP uses.

Now for the specials that work, and their uses. (As you see, there aren't many)

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Please do NOT post until I have finished this FAQ.

It is too many letters to fit on one post.

**Continued**

Now for the WORKING Specials! (Yay!)

STOPPING SHOT: Although the shot does not live up to its description, it is one of my most favorite shots in the game. It deals 800-1800 DMG with a slight delay. (But as a Quickdraw, there isn't much of a delay.) I have hit 2000 DMG with it, and 4000 DMG with it when creatures are KD.

PvP use(s): If you have a fast, but maybe not powerful gun, this is a great shot. In PvP I have hit 200-500 with it, and 900+ when they are KD. The delay is what many people dislike compared to Fan Shot, but at Master Pistoleer, or even Quickdraw, (or as a BH Pistoleer), this has almost no delay with a fast gun. It is great for the CH's that have their mind pool insanely high so the can heal themselves and their pets, and only end up having 500-750 Health and Action.

PvE use(s): This shot is also great for PvE. Since it hits for so much, and has a decent speed with Quickdraw, and even Pistol Stances III (if you have a fast gun), has a range of 800-1800. Again, I have hit 2000 with it, and 4000 when KD. Using a Republic Blaster on a Kliknik Queen that has Medium ArmorI can hit 600-1300 with it. Fan Shot is about 1000. This shot is also has an advantage over Fan Shot because it ONLY hits one target. Fan Shot can get you into trouble, because the AOE can hit unwanted targets, and the creatures may aggro you. Just keep in mind: Nice amount of damage, decent speed, one target.

FAN SHOT: Fan Shot is my favorite attack in the game. I have done BH Pistol, some of BH Carbine, Carbineer, Pistoleer, Smuggler, and TKA. It hits from 500-1400 DMG with a Republic Blaster, and has an AOE that I absolutely love. My buds I go hunting with hate it because it is an "XP stealer". While they are stuck on one target using Last Ditch and other shots, I'm nailing 6 targets at once that aren't aggroing me!

PvP use(s): I have found on my daily raids of Bestine, that Fan Shot is great for PvP. It will hit from 200-500 while they are not KD, and it hits 3-4 players at once. I take down groups of Imperials at once, and they love it! (Note: The love it so much that I get AT-STs pulled on me...) It has almost no delay as well. If you need to dispose of a group of people chasing you, or if you need to dispose of someone QUICKLY this is a great shot.

PvE use(s): This has to be THE BEST PvE attack I have ever had. Although it is so good, it has advantages and drawbacks...Advantages: This attack hits more than one target with his AOE. Now, here is a nice strategy I use. Assuming you have a pet, send it in to a group of creatures (or evena lair, which I have done) and wait for most or preferably ALL of the creatures to aggro it. Direct the pet to the creature you want to attack, go prone and spam Fan Shot. You will hit all of the creatures aggroing your pet with low risk to yourself. This is why my buds think it is an "XP stealer", and I get XP oh so fast. Drawbacks: While doing this, you have to watch out. While there is a low risk if you use my strategy correctly, you may still get aggroed. And if you do it wrong, or just get unlucky, you could find yourself incapped very soon. The AOE can get you into trouble. I have had times when I attacked too early, and a creature who was out of my AOE came in it, and aggroed me. Also, if there are other creatures nearby that you don't see, the may get into your AOE. Beware, this attack can kill you as well. Hitting 800-1400 on a load of creatures at once is a nice thing in my mind. =)

PISTOL MELEE DEFENSE 1: Now, you may think, Pistol Melee Defense 1!!!??!! But yes, this attack is one of my most useful one in PvP and PvE.

PvP use(s): Here are my PvP uses for this attack.

Ranged Users: Although you may start far away, spam your attack and run toward them. Through my tests, not many people will run away from you. Once you get within 10m, clear your combat list, and hit Pistol Melee Defense 1.Then re-spam Fan Shot or Stopping Shot.

Melee Users: Just spam Pistol Melee Defense 1 at the start, since they seem to like to start at their range anyway.

PvE use(s): Pretty much the same as PvP. Run up to the creature, hit Pistol Melee, and sprint backward while spamming your shot.

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Thank you for reading this!

I will keep it updated with more ideas, and if you have anything you wish to add in later Versions, send me a message and I will put it in for you, and your name.

Again, thanks to Philosopher for the bugs in this post from the Pistoler State of the Profession thread.

One point of contention: Body Shot 3 is not useless, even though it has a lower uncapped DPS than Body Shot 2, because for Master Pistoleers and sometimes others Body Shot 2 runs into the 1-per-second speed cap. Against a single target, at least a single PvE target, a +74 Master Pistoleer should use Body Shot 3 with pistols between 1.1s and 1.9s:

http://forums.station.sony.com/swg/board/message?board.id=pistoleer&message.id=25486

Thanks for the great post, Leomi. I can tell that you put a lot of time into this, and the end result is great.

Needless to say, I agree with almost everything that you said. Let me list a few things I disagree with:

1) Tullius is right ... BodyShot3 is useful for Masters with fast pistols. (Not saying much, but he's right.)

2) StoppingShot is almost never the best attack for a Pistoleer to use -- take a look at Tullius's special comparison post for the details. Basically you need a gun with speed lower than 1.0 for it to be worth using. (It might be 1.1 or 0.9, I forget, but it's close to 1.0 at Master Pistoleer.)

There are two reasons that StoppingShot isn't so good:

a) Delay. This is something that you point out. Just realize that even a fraction of a second is really important, since our other specials fire so fast. I'd rather shoot five BodyShot3s than four StoppingShots, for instance.

b) Random HAM. Because StoppingShot doesn't target a specific pool, it only hits health around 55% of the time. That really reduces its effective damage output because your attacks will be spread out across three different pools. It is almost always better to use a targeted shot like BodyShot instead.

Is StoppingShot useful? I guess, to an extent. It's useful to folks with SUPERfast pistols (under 1.0 speed) and it's also useful to kill things that you can take out in one hit, like small PvE critters.

3) I do agree that Pistol Melee Defense 1 is one of our working specials, but I haven't found it to be as great as you've said.

First of all, I would NEVER recommend spamming Melee Defense 1 unless you're buffed. The HAM cost is horrible and it only has a 7m range, so you're hurting yourself ... plus, if you're within 64m you're wasting an opportunity to hurt the other guy. Spam something else and then use Melee Defense 1 when you're close to him.

Secondly, most of my opponents in PvP are not as cooperative as yours. They aren't willing to stand there while I run at them. As long as they're on the move, it's impossible to use Melee Defense 1 because of server lag. (This is a problem all melee attacks have).

Other than those small quibbles, I think that this is an excellent post and I want to thank you for putting so much time into it. I can't wait to see the next version!

Well, after I tested what you just said with Pistol Melee Defense I, I guess your right. I tried dueling my Rouge friend doing that, and it really did eat up my HAM. And I guess the people on Radiant that I duel must be somewhat dumb, since yes, they do all stand there. =)

As for Stopping Shot, yes it is a slow attack, and I see where you are comming from. As Master Pistoleer with the +20 Speed, it doesn't have much of a delay. (And I was taking it from the Master Pistoleers perspective as I wasn't really thinking from a normal Pistoleers perspective. I was testing it with a Master Pistoleer. I'll take non-masters into consideration next version. =) ) And I was thinking that it was useful, since Fan Shot is also random HAM. Although, I will take all of these posts into consideration for next version. =)

Stopping Shot is great for taking outlevel 10-15aggros in one pop , the stuff 2 bodyshot2s won't take out.

I found a great strategy by accident yesterday. I used KD then used healthshot2 and healthshot1. The healthshot2 was a 1429 bleed and the healthshot1 was a 1210 bleed. The highest I have hit before was around 1200 and 1000 (this after many, many tries). This was with a 377 max damage FWG5, I sapshot with this then switch to a less valuble gun to spam Bodyshot2.

Thank you Yew for reporting that. I was trying to test that as well, and that is why I didn't put the health shots in. I might need a little more time to confirm that, but it will most likely be put in Ver. 1.1.

Any other comments?

Looks good.

not really related to the current specials, but one interesting way reduce the random ham attacks would be the following:

change a special so that it always damages the ham-pool that already sustained the highest damage (random choice if there is a tie)

while that would not be as powerful as an attack that always targets the lowest ham-pool (i think that would be too powerful) it has certain use when combined with other targeted attacks.