Rifleman Archive
Thread: Newbie Rifleman Help
Hey people, I'm new to rifle, I have through rifle IV in the marksman tree. planning to go up to novice rifleman soon, can anyone recommend any strategies? Also, can someone explain each of the specials to me? The in game description is kind of vague. I see a ton of specials under rifleman, and would like to know which ones are best, and what they do. Thanks in advance!
First, get yerself a T21. You won't use it in every fight, but it's nice to have one. You probably won't find one on the bazaar to buy, so make friends with your local weaponsmith.
Second, get used to purchasing crates of ranged weapon powerups. I like powerups that reduce Mind cost and increase Max Damage or reduce Speed. I never buy the powerups that increase range or give bonuses to point-blank shots. I put powerups on both my T21 and my Laser Rifle, but don't put any on my Spraystick because it shoots so fast (speed 1.7) that I lose the powerup's benefit too quickly.
Personally, I'm all about Mind Shot and Head Shot, so I went up the Sniping Accuracy tree first; I got Accuracy I and II before anything else. A word of warning: Head Shot 3 costs a lot of Mind, so be prepared (especially when using a T21). You should probably consider Stat Migration if you haven't done so already; increase your Mind stat if possible, since it's used heavily by Rifleman.
I've heard that the Concealement/Cover skills are fairly useless, so I haven't bothered getting them yet. I did take Countersniping I (Flushing Shot) and Rifle Special Abilities I (Flurry Shot). Both of these skills are OK, but nothing really great right now. I've heard that they become really good at more advanced levels.
Good luck!
:: | Dewgatt | ::
Wookie -- Rifleman -- Chilastra
Give some love to the walking rug.
ChuckAtTTU wrote:
Hey people, I'm new to rifle, I have through rifle IV in the marksman tree. planning to go up to novice rifleman soon, can anyone recommend any strategies?
Yes. Kill stuff, and don't die.
ChuckAtTTU wrote:
Also, can someone explain each of the specials to me? The in game description is kind of vague. I see a ton of specials under rifleman, and would like to know which ones are best, and what they do. Thanks in advance!
The ones you will learn to rely on are Headshot 2, Mindshot 1 and Mindshot 2, and later on Strafe Shot 2 and whatever special you get in Counter-Sniping 4. Warning Shot from the Marksman Ranged Weapon Support will also come in handy. Conceal shot has its uses, but it's not as useful as I'd like.
I rarely use Flurry Shot, and never against critters. Sometimes it's useful vs. opponents who shoot back, since if you make 'em dizzy before they go prone, they get KD'd for a bit.
I'd recommend getting Sniping 1 first, just for Mindshot 2, and then going up the Counter-Sniping tree.
First, notice that our correspondent Aldeon has a thread at the top of this forum for Rifle strategies.
Second, consider all of the following:
-- Get novice medic if you don't have it. Then buy Stim-B's that can heal for up close to 400 pts.
-- Create Macro: /clear; /peace; /healdamage self; Use it often.
-- Migrate your stats to max out your 3 MIND bars. You can heal the HA bars with stims.
-- Move up left (sniping) tree first and get Mindshot2, then over to counter-sniping.
-- Mindshot2 and Mindshot1 both work on same creature (they "stack"). Very nice.
-- Creatures will get to you. You get 2.5x the damage holding a rifle, so when they get to you,
dump the rifle with the following macro:
-- Create a Macro that does the following:
Switch to pistol, stand, clear combat queue, fire warning shot
-- Put this macro in your toolbar with all your rifle stuff
-- Get yourself a good pistol for the warning shots.
-- ALWAYS use the macro when MOBs get in Melee range, warning shot them away,
switch back to rifle and continue.
-- Your standard attack (without pets) is almost same as in Marksman tree:
Mindshot2, Mindshot1, (repeat if either misses), some other rifle shot to get xp
I have been soloing Mountain Squill for 4500+ ever since Novice Rifleman with the above.
Some animals don't warning shot away very well (*cough*dewbacks*cough*). Avoid them.
I agree with volsted, Get Mind shot 2, you need the bleed power (works great on medics, make em use their mind to stop a mind bleed, then give em another). But i would have to say mymost useful shot right nowi got at counter sniping 3, flushing shot has a 6X damage modifier, i can do shots for over 3k against multiple targets at once, nothing can take a beating like that for long.
Just remember that you have a 2.5X damage increase when you take hits from melee, so if something gets on you i suggest unequiping the rifle. I myself am a Teras kasi master so I can pretty much take care of anything if it gets close to me, but most people that try to stay only rifle will get their butts stomped quickly.
If you are debating about a side profession i recommend Teras Kasi because our meditate skill helps us regen our mind faster than just sitting ( and powerboost allows us to boost our max mind level, but i think this is a bug and will be nerfed later).
Hey You {Bria}
Master Teras Kasi, Rifleman(3.7,3,3,4)
WayneInAustin wrote:
I have been soloing Mountain Squill for 4500+ ever since Novice Rifleman with the above.
Some animals don't warning shot away very well (*cough*dewbacks*cough*). Avoid them.
Mountain Squills hate me. They take special delight in ignoring any tactic I try on them and killing me. Rontos on the other hand are filing a petition with the Emperor to have a bounty placed on my head. 
DocSavag...
I hope you see this post... I asked this of you in another thread a while back but you never responded.
I have to ask, are you named after the 40's pulp hero? I used to read those books as a kid (the reprints that came out much later, heh). I absolutely loved them. Had almost all 167 or so of them (still hidden away in my closet, actually). If that is where your name came from, /applaud, and thanks for the memories! If you don't know what I'm talking about, then ignore this as insane rambling!
As for game stuff... I used to get incapped a lot with mountain squill - still do some. Sometimes on purpose to save mind for the next one. Sometimes they warning shot away very easy. Its the ones that refuse to warning shot away that get me.One hint, if you dont already do it, is use the "switch to pistol, stand, clear combat queue, and fire warning shot" macro I mentioned above. Also, start firing warning shots BEFORE they notice you. Gives you a much better chance at sticking one. Anyway, I think just hours and hours of grinding has put me on their wavelength and I can fight them very comfortably now.
Good luck, and let me know about the name. I'm curious.