Rifleman Archive

Well, I'm about to get the Sniper title, bout 97k xp from Master Sniping accuracy, and I've got the Intermediate Rifle Specials, about 20k from advanced, and I am incredibly frustrated. My problem lies in swarming mobs, the ones where if you fire on one of their fellows, the rest bum-rush you and kill you cause of the 2.5x melee multiplier.

First off, I'd like to pose this question: does firing from the "Cover" status reduce the swarming effect? (I think it should if it doesn't, but I haven't tried it.) The reason behind this is simple: if I shoot at something and it takes 3 shots for it to notice where the hell its attacker is located, how come its fellows can spot me and aggro at once?

Second thing: this 2.5x damage multiplier has got to go. I'm sorry, but I see TKA's and Pistoleers and Swordsman soloing things I wouldn't even dream of attempting with a rifle. Example: a TKA expert able to tank a Vicious Huf Dun lair on Talus. He was hitting for at least 1k on every attack round, and he hits every 2 seconds. A rifleman (without a T21, I'm on Ahazi) can hit for a max of 1500, and that's getting lucky with a laser with no mods. And we do that only every 6 seconds. So how is it that because I carry a rifle, I get penalized. I'm supposed to be doing more damage, but I'm not. And don't even get me started on knockdown, something a rifleman desperately needs but doesn't have. (Suppression fire has never worked for me.) Basically, if I can't take something in 4 shots or less, than I don't even try it. After the forth shot, they are on top of me and hitting for 2.5x and I'm dead as a doornail.

Lastly, close range killing. This is a beef I've had ever since I started Rascal. I can't hit the broadside of a barn if my rifle barrel is 2 inches from it. Hell, I've been killed bya Kreetle cause it got to close and I couldn't hit it. Now how bloody logical is that. We should be masters at soloing mobs, yet we are dead if anything gets close because we can't hit it.

Anyways, I believe all these issues are interrelated. Stop the mass aggroing, and the others stop being a problem. Get rid of the 2.5x mulitplier (or increase rifle damage across the board) and the others aren't such a huge deal. Give us the ability to kill close up, and the others aren't such a hastle. As it is now, I have to take a probot with me to tank whenever I hunt (or a pet), and thats ridiculous. So, until some of these issues are resolved, I'm off to play my new TKA. At least I can take down a Kreetle at 2 meters with him.

--Rascal, Ahazi

I agree with you, take cover should also affect the mob's friend, but it doesn't seem to right now.

However, I disagree with you on 2 things: The extra melee damage could be lowered, but we have to have some melee disadvantage from the fact that a rifleman SHOULD be weak in close combat. Thats just how rifleman are.

Second, TKA, BH and swordman SHOULD be able to solo things you can't. you are a sniper, not a combat profession.

Many people here are complaining, and I think I can understand why. Many people seems to not understand that we are just a so-so solo profession (as it should be). In return, we are uber in PVP, being able to hit a pool that isn't healable and often one-shot people.

Remember that T21 are bugged right now, they are the biggest perk of rifleman as they are the best weapon in the game. (When they get their rightful AR 3 rating)

just be patient.

Well , yeah I also agree and disagree with some things .

Rifle has it's stong points and weak points . Melee is the weak point .

Huge DOT drains to a specific Ham bar are it's strong points .

My biggest agreement is with you on the BAF syndrome . When MOBs BAF or Bring a Friend , it's very screwy and defies all logic . First of all , if your fighting normal MOBs you shoot at him 3 times before he notices you .

When you shoot a BAF MOB he notices you instantly . Why ? Because shooting any one MOB that is near another BAF MOB instantly alerts the others to your presence ... their notice of you alerts the one your were shooting at . So now all of them are right on top of you , all over you and there is jack you can do about it except go into CH and get your own cheesy meatshield .

As far as the 2.5 damage penalty , I sorta like it . Makes things acutally interesting . Trust me , those guys that go out to a MOB and press the " kill " button and go get a drink of water are not having fun at all , and they will be having a lot less of it as days go by . I wouldn't want any skill that is a fire and forget kind of thing , that makes PvE even easier than it already is .

The disarming and other tactics ya gotta take as a Rifleman present some of this games only opportunities to make a Template that is unique and fun to play .

You can switch to swords , unarmed or the Elite Eye Shot pistol attack from the BH line when they run into melee range . Trap and a ton of other skills will help you stay alive .

Personally I don't " do " BAF MOBs because they are just not worth it . That's the only real advice worth taking until they come up with more creative and unbroken MOB AI patterns .

Good hunting all

Jon