Rifleman Archive

Back when I started this game, I decided that riflewoman was the way to go. I had a great time, that is, until I discovered TK. With TK having been greatly reduced in it's power, my thoughts have turned to again wielding a rifle. Now, I'll preface this by saying that I've always enjoyed a solo playstyle. While I do realize that this is a MMO, one of the things that sucked me in was my option/ability to be self-sufficient. Also, being that I'm a crafter/combatant hybrid, there generally aren't high level groups that want to support a lesser, non-double combat player. (I'm constantly seeing "Starting a solo group. Nobody below level 70, please!" sorts of things.) So, with that said, I've done some reading on the new rifleman setup, and have begun wondering what things I would still be able to solo. I'm not big on hunting creatures and things, but I've always been a fan of a good NPC slaughter-fest. I've read some things about riflemen being able to take on DJMs and DJKs, but I'm not quite clear on whether that's as a pure rifleman or with some other spice of things thrown in (If so, what would be a good template?); or whether it's with a rifleman for damage output and a jedi or somebody else tanking. As I understand it, the only people that can tank are jedi because the Darks have such an insanely high damage output - 1 hit and non-jedi are down for the count.

I really do miss being able to go out and beat up NPC's after a long day of crafting food, so any help y'all can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Rifleman can solo a LOT of things. Iwouldn't go so faras to take on a DJKalone, butI sometimes prefer to be solo or at least ask group members to leave my target alone (if there are several agro'd to group at one time).

We don't get any good crowd control like Root/Snare/KD in Rifleman (KneeCap shot does absolutely nothing), but I use the hell out of StartleShot. Startleshot does decent damage, but most important it causes about a 4-second delay on the opponent, preventing them from attacking.

I have sometips below if you're pure Rifle-only, but my best advice is to go to www.bloodfin.org and download the Skill Point Calculator. Use that to shop around different templates to see if you have skill points tocombine Master Rifle with a tree from another ranged prof that offers some degree of crowd control.

Here's what I usually do when I'm solo:

(1) Get to max range.

(2) Aim (adds bonus to damage if you hit... interestingly enough it doesn't seem to increase chance of hit)

(3) Snipershot

(4) Headshot

(5) Startleshot

If they're still out of attack range then I repeat Snipershot (the cooldown timer should just be finishing). Once they're in range to attack I hit w/ startleshot. I let my mousehover over their "StartleShot" state icon so I can watch the countdown and time each shot to prevent them from attacking. That allows me to have maximum delay between shots so I don't drain action too fast. If you can handle a hit or two from your opponent then you can alternate Headshot/Startleshot to get more damage. With that combo I typically get 4 attack rounds to every 1 hit I take.

The one thing to remeber about StartleShot is that the delay is broken as soon as the target takes more damage soit's not too useful in a group. That's when my group mates get me killed. I'll have the target Startled so I can heal or regen action... and then they hit for some puny 125 damage or whatever those poor non-riflemen can muster. Of course I take the punishment for it, because whether you're in a group or solo... if you're hitting with high damage rifle specials then the mob is coming DIRECTLY for you.

with my template to solo I usually will get right into range then open up with a head shot, followed by a body shot, then stopping shot (root), head shot while running, sniper shot then hit them with a kneecap shot when the root wears off. I can solo up to level 76's (tried) without taking more than 1/4 damage.

My standard battle plan is as follows...

Torso Shot, Stopping Shot, Critical Shot, Head Shot, Kneecap Shot, Critical/Head Shot until the mod gets a bit closer, Underhand Shot, Critical/Head Shot to finish off. Unless the displacement bug comes into play I can down level 82 bols before they reach me. However, this requires BH and Pistoleer to work. Pure rifleman are best to start of with Kneecap Shot and kite, using Startle when the mob inevitably gets in close.

I use an advanced laser rifle all the time. Try leading in your sniper shot with advanced aim. Also if you have Smuggler tack advanced aim before Last Ditch.

If you are pure rifles you can use knee cap shot to snare and kite. I usually open with advanced aim on sniper shot, then I kip up, head shot/reckless shot. If there is more than one baddie and more aggro is possible I kite him away then root him down with concussion shot. I then just sniper, head shot, reckless shot then back to sniper shot. I kip up if the root is dropping and snare with either restraining shot or knee cap shot.

If I were a pure rifleman I might grab carbine x41x just for the added accuracy and improved leg shot to cycle with head shot. In addition the first box in the third line gives a KD. Pistoleer xxx1 would give you the basic stopping shot if you wanted a root, or even novice smuggler, which will give concussion shot.

As always, food spice and drink. Vasarian(Sp?) brandy, Neutron Pixie, Synthsteak for emergencies, and duels. There are a host of great foods out there. Learn them and use them.

Just moved to Starsider so I am stuck with a crappy AL rifle that only has a max of 960. I got it for 8k so I suppose that's alright. This was aiming on a Lok mission mob with sniper shot. Keep in mind I am also just CL 58 with dancer in my template

http://img210.echo.cx/my.php?image=advanced9wx.jpg

Message Edited by Xoreshear on 06-13-2005 05:06 AM

So with the Rifles/Pistols/BH template, are things like, say, Nightsisters easily soloable? I know they're do-able at the moment with just rifles, but from what I understand, it can take a rather long time to get one down, and oftentimes, a lot of running is involved because they don't always like to stand alone, lol. 5+ minutes is what I was told, for a NS at level 82 or 84 (can't recall). Would your template make it significantly faster?

Critical shot isn't a rifleman special though, is it? I see a lot of people mentioning specials that aren't in the rifles tree. From what I gather, that means you can get specials from other professions and use them while wielding a rifle, yes?

yes, critical is a BH ability, as is torso and underhand. You can use any ranged ability from any prof with any ranged weapon. You can even use sniper shot with a rocket launcher should you wish.

As for the higher level mobs and even players, I usually use underhand when they first notice I'm shooting, then root just after they get back up, it means that they are ready for another KD when root wears off and while KD I use snare. Using only Rifleman abilites I usually take a bit of dam because kneecap wont keep them off you. BH is a great addition to rifleman as its full if general ranged accuracy/speed and some great abilities. Assualt armour also helps when you are out hunting.