Rifleman Archive
Thread: Riflemen PvP for the Uninitiated!
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Kund
Mon May 03, 2004 1:37 am
#1
Those of you that also use the Farstar Galaxy Forums will see that I have also posted this thread there too. There are some MRM specific questions involved and I assumed it would be okay to repeat the post here too:
Hi,
I thought I would post this thread in the hope that more people will be inclined to at least have a go at PvP and with the help of the regulars on this forum maybe we could share some advice and tips.
There seems to be a lot of talk on the forums that not many Rebels are into PvP!
I have to admit that I belong the group that does not PvP and mainly because my experiences to date have not been very positive, so I will outline an example or two, ask some questions,and maybe someone can tell me what I am doing wrong.
Scenario
Profession: MRM
I decided to head down to Anchorhead to farm some Imperial XP for a while, collected my TEF (Temporary Enemy Flag) as a result of an engagement with Imperials and headed back to the Cantina in Anchorhead. I noted 4 or 5 Enemy Imps because of their Red markings and they prompty descended upon me and within a a matter of moments I was in the Cloning Centre. (This is okay and I accept that when Teffed I am a valid target). I was not buffed, had not consumed spices and was only wearing a set of 50% KineticPadded Armour, with a + Cover undershirt.
By this time my hands were shaking with adrenalineas I contemplated visiting the Rebel Recruiter downstairs in the AH Cantina in order to extract some mildrevengeand try and improve my PvP skills.....surely as a Master Rifleman I would be able to do some effective damage.
Reality Check!
I checked the vicinity and there were a couple of small battles going on; some20 Rebs hanging around outside, another 20 Rebs down in the Cantina, a couple or Reb Docs and only about 7 or 8 Imperials, and the Rebs that were doing PvP were getting an almighty beating whilst the rest were wartching. I assumed that with all the Rebs in the area I could count on a) some support and b) some healing if needed - how wrong I was!
So with the A-Team theme tune playing in the background (not :-D) I equipped my best T21, dropped on a 30% Pup, equipped my Energy Resistant Comp armour for reasons I assumed at the time were valid,(later changed to Kinectic), and swallowed two Brandies. Ran downstairs into the Cantina, got myself declared, back upstairs through the crowds in the Cantina and outside into the fray. Breathing at this point was shallow, heartbeat fast and hands-a-shaking.
/Target Imperials (1 x TK 2 x Ranged)that are beating up on a singleRebel- range 35m,they havenot seen me, drop back to 50m, line of sight is clear - Advanced Strafe Shot and the battle begins. Rebel falls - Before I know it 3 Imperials are upon me - Knockdown, Knockdown, Knockdown - looks up at sky and notes HAM bars are falling rapidly (note to self - swap to Kinectic armour) - trys to stand - Knockdown, Knockdown - DB - Clone. (Duration of battle approx 1 minute)
With a redface that isburning with shame at the outcomeI wait out the 30 mins of full stomach because of the Brandy and switch to Kinetic Armour and ponder why none of the Rebels in the area had provided any assistance.
Rinse and repeat on the above - same result - except that this time I had the wherewithal to notice that the person doing the most damage to me was a TKM wearing only a Comp Helmet and a Robe with no other armour and a stun baton.
At this point I concluded I needed to get some Stun Armour and some food to prevent Knockdowns.
Until now I have not found Stun CompArmour, and I have heard that prices are very high.Even if I did I cant imagine in the heat of battletrying to assess out of all the aggro, who is doing melee damage, who is doing ranged damage, and repeatedlychanging armour in order to suit ever changing circumstances - how does one decide?
So this was the result of one of my first ventures into PvP andI have a few questions:
1) If I take a food to prevent knockdowns is this going to make much of a difference?
2) Do I really need three sets of armour?? 1 x Energy, 1 x Kinectic, 1 x Stun?
3) Do I really have to join a Guild in order to rely on some kind of back up and support - especially in a place like Anchorhead which is Rebel dominated?
4) Can a Master Rifleman be effective in PvP and what are the shot combinations I should be considering against Melee, against Ranged, against combo of Melee and Ranged?
5) Is it common to hang around an obvious PvP area with wounds for at least 10 minutes and then have to offer money to a Reb Doctor in order to get healed?
6) Do you really have to be buffed before even considering PvP?
Please understand that I do not want to compete at the highest levels and neither do I wish to spend an absoloute fortune on kit - all I wanted to do was have a bit of low to mid-level PvP fun and learn as I go along and yet it seems this was not possible.
I am sure more questions will come or arise from the answers given so I see this as a start and maybe some other uninitiated players will trust themselves to step out into the fold.
I have to admit that the Imperials seem to have PvP sewn up - well coordinated, well supported and well 'ard :-D
Thankyou in advance and kind regards,
Kundalini
Akinoor
Mon May 03, 2004 2:16 am
#2
It's a very good post and you're a fast learner if you picked all this up.
I'm not a very seasoned pvper but I have been very active lately. So I'll try and answer. I guess this is a bit different from server to server but not the basics.
1) Yes it will make a huge difference. The Anti-KD food I'm eating has 86% vs KD for 11 mins or so.
2) Depends on what you can spend. Ultimately you'd have one suit with stun layers, sliced for effiency. This way you can get a base in the high 80s if you're lucky. You'd then have around 40% to stun and high 80s to both Kinetic and Energy. This is very expensive of course so at least try to get helmet, chest, pants and boots with stun layers and as high base% as possible. Then again, it's all about what you want from PvP, some people are running around in clothes only. But if you want to stand a chance against medium-hardcore pvpers 1 on 1, then you'll need it. Also check out if you can find Personal Shield Generators. They help a lot.
3) No but don't expect to have anyone throwing themselves infront of the bullets for you if you're solo. It's very possible to go solo though, I do it most of the time. Just have to be a bit more careful.
4) Rifleman can be the most effective possibly in PvP thanks to the unbalanced HAM system and our mind attacks. We also have the strongest ranged area attack. RMs do lack any crowd control though. Which is fine but unless you make a combo with other professions, it's pretty straight forward. You basically answer a couple of questions: 1) does he/she/it have a helmet? 2) Are they wearing chests or pants? Is the question no to 1) then go t-21 and headshots if it's yes to 1) but no to 2) you go with t-21 and strafeshots. If the answer is yes to both, you go with your Jawa Ion... It's simplified but since RM only can Bleed,Stun and Dizzy we can either be very strategic or not at all. But at least always try to keep the enemy stunned. And if you need to run, try to land a dizzy before you hit burst since noone can run while dizzy and you'll get the distance you need easier.
If you pick up 0004 in marksman you have supression fire wich combined with dizzy is a weaker KD.
5) Sounds like pricks! Or they may have been very busy with something. But money for wound healing is cheap.
6) Depends on what you want to accomplish. Without buffs you won't only die faster, you'll also have a hard time using any specials. I know the answer should be - do what is fun to you or feels right but... Yes you should be buffed in PvP. Not to duel or have a brawl in the local cantina but if you wanna do even softcore PvP you want it.
7) Don't forget other food: Synthsteak is awesome. The one I'm using gives a 44% damage reduction for 33 attacks. Another good food for rifleman is Ahrisa. It's a focus food and mine is +415 to focus for 44 minutes or so. Good for spamming specials.
8) Go see your local entertainers. Get a dancer mindbuff you and a musician focus/willpower buff you.
9) As you can see this isn't cheap... :/
Go kill couple of 100 krayt dragons. You are a RM after all and we outdamage "anyone" when it comes to Heavy HAM mobs.
10) Good luck
I'm not a very seasoned pvper but I have been very active lately. So I'll try and answer. I guess this is a bit different from server to server but not the basics.
1) Yes it will make a huge difference. The Anti-KD food I'm eating has 86% vs KD for 11 mins or so.
2) Depends on what you can spend. Ultimately you'd have one suit with stun layers, sliced for effiency. This way you can get a base in the high 80s if you're lucky. You'd then have around 40% to stun and high 80s to both Kinetic and Energy. This is very expensive of course so at least try to get helmet, chest, pants and boots with stun layers and as high base% as possible. Then again, it's all about what you want from PvP, some people are running around in clothes only. But if you want to stand a chance against medium-hardcore pvpers 1 on 1, then you'll need it. Also check out if you can find Personal Shield Generators. They help a lot.
3) No but don't expect to have anyone throwing themselves infront of the bullets for you if you're solo. It's very possible to go solo though, I do it most of the time. Just have to be a bit more careful.
4) Rifleman can be the most effective possibly in PvP thanks to the unbalanced HAM system and our mind attacks. We also have the strongest ranged area attack. RMs do lack any crowd control though. Which is fine but unless you make a combo with other professions, it's pretty straight forward. You basically answer a couple of questions: 1) does he/she/it have a helmet? 2) Are they wearing chests or pants? Is the question no to 1) then go t-21 and headshots if it's yes to 1) but no to 2) you go with t-21 and strafeshots. If the answer is yes to both, you go with your Jawa Ion... It's simplified but since RM only can Bleed,Stun and Dizzy we can either be very strategic or not at all. But at least always try to keep the enemy stunned. And if you need to run, try to land a dizzy before you hit burst since noone can run while dizzy and you'll get the distance you need easier.
If you pick up 0004 in marksman you have supression fire wich combined with dizzy is a weaker KD.
5) Sounds like pricks! Or they may have been very busy with something. But money for wound healing is cheap.
6) Depends on what you want to accomplish. Without buffs you won't only die faster, you'll also have a hard time using any specials. I know the answer should be - do what is fun to you or feels right but... Yes you should be buffed in PvP. Not to duel or have a brawl in the local cantina but if you wanna do even softcore PvP you want it.
7) Don't forget other food: Synthsteak is awesome. The one I'm using gives a 44% damage reduction for 33 attacks. Another good food for rifleman is Ahrisa. It's a focus food and mine is +415 to focus for 44 minutes or so. Good for spamming specials.
8) Go see your local entertainers. Get a dancer mindbuff you and a musician focus/willpower buff you.
9) As you can see this isn't cheap... :/
Go kill couple of 100 krayt dragons. You are a RM after all and we outdamage "anyone" when it comes to Heavy HAM mobs.
10) Good luck
Jasyn
Mon May 03, 2004 2:31 am
#3
easy answer atm, Rifleman + Combat medic = God Mode in PvP battles
well atleast untell they rebalace the ham bars or something like give Docs area heals.
Akinoor
Mon May 03, 2004 2:37 am
#4
Jasyn wrote:
easy answer atm, Rifleman + Combat medic = God Mode in PvP battleswell atleast untell they rebalace the ham bars or something like give Docs area heals.
Not true but I don't think I'll explain why.
Trung
Mon May 03, 2004 3:10 am
#5
Jasyn wrote:
easy answer atm, Rifleman + Combat medic = God Mode in PvP battleswell atleast untell they rebalace the ham bars or something like give Docs area heals.
what if they are rifle man doctor?
Shadow2k
Mon May 03, 2004 3:26 am
#6
Just a few quick observations from someone who has PvP'd a lot since release.
You were outnumbered in your encounter.
Your *tank* (the reb who died) was no longer there, allowing your opponents to close in on you quickly. As a rifleman, distance is key.
The TKM with the stun baton is...well, a Fencer. TKM's don't do stun damage.
Armor. The best PvP'rs will wear 80-90% base comp (after slicing), with stun layers at least in the helm, possibly the whole suit. They buy enough suits to have sliced until they get good effect slices, or they buy pre-sliced suits. Either way, not cheap.
Buffs. Yes, pretty much a must. You can expect to lose to most people who are buffed, if you are not. It's a very large advantage, and allows them to spam specials with heavy armor on.
Riflemen work best when they have support...actually, that's true of any class really. You defenitely do not need to be in a guild to be effective in PvP. However, it's always nice to have friends. Nothing should stop you from making regular PvP partners, you don't have to be in the same PA. You can PvP solo, just don't expect to win when it's 3 on 1. It does happen, but only if you know what you are doing.
And of course, welcome to PvP. You're new. You need practice. Get to know some of the well known PvP'rs in your faction, and WATCH them. Group with them. Study them. Learn from them. You'll get better as you get more experienced. The "shaking hands" and "adrenaline rush" wears off, you calm down, and everything becomes second nature. You won't even think about what you are doing before your enemy is lying incapped in front of you. Just make sure you have fun, and treat your opponents with respect, as long as they show you the same courtesy.
Reb_Archer
Mon May 03, 2004 4:11 am
#7
1) If I take a food to prevent knockdowns is this going to make much of a difference?
Yes. I suggest getting food that makes you harder to hit instead or some Canape for more mind boost.
2) Do I really need three sets of armour?? 1 x Energy, 1 x Kinectic, 1 x Stun?
No. I have a Set of Stun Comp and A set of Kin Armor
3) Do I really have to join a Guild in order to rely on some kind of back up and support - especially in a place like Anchorhead which is Rebel dominated?
No. But it helps to know you got some buds (TKA or 2) to get your back with other TKAs
4) Can a Master Rifleman be effective in PvP and what are the shot combinations I should be considering against Melee, against Ranged, against combo of Melee and Ranged?
YES! Get a Jawa Rifle (Stun Dmg) So Flurry2 so your TKA friend can KD and spam Headshot3 and StrafeShot2
5) Is it common to hang around an obvious PvP area with wounds for at least 10 minutes and then have to offer money to a Reb Doctor in order to get healed?
YES. It happens on both sides... In anchorhead (IF your a Doc) sit in cantina/Med center and do /tendwound to yourself it cost no meds and watch dancers to heal mind.
6) Do you really have to be buffed before even considering PvP?
VERY YES. In this day Buffs are everywhere.... You require buffs anymore to pvp with effectivness.
Yes. I suggest getting food that makes you harder to hit instead or some Canape for more mind boost.
2) Do I really need three sets of armour?? 1 x Energy, 1 x Kinectic, 1 x Stun?
No. I have a Set of Stun Comp and A set of Kin Armor
3) Do I really have to join a Guild in order to rely on some kind of back up and support - especially in a place like Anchorhead which is Rebel dominated?
No. But it helps to know you got some buds (TKA or 2) to get your back with other TKAs
4) Can a Master Rifleman be effective in PvP and what are the shot combinations I should be considering against Melee, against Ranged, against combo of Melee and Ranged?
YES! Get a Jawa Rifle (Stun Dmg) So Flurry2 so your TKA friend can KD and spam Headshot3 and StrafeShot2
5) Is it common to hang around an obvious PvP area with wounds for at least 10 minutes and then have to offer money to a Reb Doctor in order to get healed?
YES. It happens on both sides... In anchorhead (IF your a Doc) sit in cantina/Med center and do /tendwound to yourself it cost no meds and watch dancers to heal mind.
6) Do you really have to be buffed before even considering PvP?
VERY YES. In this day Buffs are everywhere.... You require buffs anymore to pvp with effectivness.
Reb_Archer
Mon May 03, 2004 4:14 am
#8
A good Master Rifle/Master Doc can even do quite well holding his own...
Just carry Cure Dizzy and Cure Poison Packs....
Some sucky TKAs will dump mind Dizzing you or lunging while you run to get space... let them drain mind... stand and use dizzy cures and heal... spam headshot3 and its yours... Well with some TKAs
Youll learn the tactics soon enough..... Just get a decent Jawa Rifle.
Just carry Cure Dizzy and Cure Poison Packs....
Some sucky TKAs will dump mind Dizzing you or lunging while you run to get space... let them drain mind... stand and use dizzy cures and heal... spam headshot3 and its yours... Well with some TKAs
Youll learn the tactics soon enough..... Just get a decent Jawa Rifle.
Brainplay
Mon May 03, 2004 4:53 am
#9
Doc/rifle will own me everytime since the second I lay a poison he cures it. It takes 10sec for the poison to tick once, not right when it lands. His cures cost less mind than my poison throws so thats another one up. We both can heal our hp and action the same so it really just turns into who's /headshot3's can land the most.
Melee are your biggest problem. Their lunge1 can take you down to your knees at 20-25m away plus some can land dizzy's on you. If they mastered the entire brawler prof. then they get lunge2 which is effectively another type of knockdown but is unaffected by chef food. All but pikemen can reach the 1.0 speedcap with their weapons fairly easy so if they get within striking distance you're toast.
Whatever you do, dont go prone in pvp. Stay standing otherwise the few seconds it takes to get up will allow any melee to close the gap very quickly. Keep your spraystick handy, its great seeing a melee lunge1 on me then i give him a suppressionfire1 and move further away before he realizes what happened.
RougeSoldier
Mon May 03, 2004 5:23 am
#11
Jasyn wrote:
easy answer atm, Rifleman + Combat medic = God Mode in PvP battleswell atleast untell they rebalace the ham bars or something like give Docs area heals.
Yeah, it's like Combat Medics are the dark side and Doctors the light side.....BUFF DOCTORS!
Vincentarasin
Mon May 03, 2004 6:33 am
#12
Shadow2k wrote:
Just a few quick observations from someone who has PvP'd a lot since release.
You were outnumbered in your encounter.
Your *tank* (the reb who died) was no longer there, allowing your opponents to close in on you quickly. As a rifleman, distance is key.
The TKM with the stun baton is...well, a Fencer. TKM's don't do stun damage.
Armor. The best PvP'rs will wear 80-90% base comp (after slicing), with stun layers at least in the helm, possibly the whole suit. They buy enough suits to have sliced until they get good effect slices, or they buy pre-sliced suits. Either way, not cheap.
Buffs. Yes, pretty much a must. You can expect to lose to most people who are buffed, if you are not. It's a very large advantage, and allows them to spam specials with heavy armor on.
Riflemen work best when they have support...actually, that's true of any class really. You defenitely do not need to be in a guild to be effective in PvP. However, it's always nice to have friends. Nothing should stop you from making regular PvP partners, you don't have to be in the same PA. You can PvP solo, just don't expect to win when it's 3 on 1. It does happen, but only if you know what you are doing.
And of course, welcome to PvP. You're new. You need practice. Get to know some of the well known PvP'rs in your faction, and WATCH them. Group with them. Study them. Learn from them. You'll get better as you get more experienced. The "shaking hands" and "adrenaline rush" wears off, you calm down, and everything becomes second nature. You won't even think about what you are doing before your enemy is lying incapped in front of you. Just make sure you have fun, and treat your opponents with respect, as long as they show you the same courtesy.
I wear a helmet, and I have no trouble. 
Red- When that goes away (since release I have been like this) I quit
*Points to DAOC, UO, AO, E&B, TRibes 2, CS* boxes
Armor is all an illusion, a true god doeesnt need it
Kund
Mon May 03, 2004 7:32 am
#13
Hi All,
This is really great information - my thanks to all that have taken the time to reply with comprehensive answers.
Guess I need to find a small group of likeminded Rebels.
I can see its going to take time to get there, along with practice, practice and more practice,but I hope soon to be providing some reasonable PvP competition against ya'll.
Thanks again and regards
Kundalini
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