Scout Archive

First of all does point blank shot actually work? Assume I am using a rifle. So when a mob is in your face what is the best tactic?

Next would people recommend switch to a pistol instead?

I assume this might work at lower levels, but what about higher levels?
If you haven't maxed out the pistol line or become a Pistoleer how does this damage compare to just sticking with your trusty rifle and using /attack or /pointblankshot?

Lastly in close combat and you have a rifle, do you want to be kneeling or stand up?
I am not noticed a difference is the range bonus and I think there is a bonus for mobs to hit you with melee if you are kneeling. So that would seem to indicate you stand if it doesn't help?

My experience has been to go with a pistol, but I have been working up both my pistol and rifle. It depends on the point blank penalty on your rifle and pistol, the laser and DLT20 rifles have very negative zero range modifiers, whereas the pistols are better. If you are staying with rifle, the spraystick is best from close range and there are weapon powerups that improve your point blank to hit. I haven't used the point blank shot action much.

When I started playing I used a Rifle (switched over to Pistol when I got to Creature Handler) and my experience was that it was better to stay in the kneeling and take a few more hits in order to get the boost to accuracy. Of course that was early in the game and I never used anything more powerful (or slower ) thana 28-58CDEF rifle. If you get a more powerful but slower rifle the dynamic might be different.

"Democracy is the worst form of government... until you consider the alternatives."

Winston Churchill

Rumor,

I'm the exact opposite as Silverjohn. I started with a pistol and then switched to rifle and never looked back.

The best tactic when a mob is in your face is to 1.) Hit him with warning shot and 2.) Run your little butt back to ideal rifle range.

I've not found a combo that's any better than that yet. Anyone who has- I'd love to hear it!

B

I started my scout career as rifle only. After level 2 I started using pistal also for close up. Now I mostly use pistal only. Switch to rifle for mobs that I know have low mind pools. Use that health shot and bone spur.

Anyway, the point blank shot you refer to does a lot of damage. It goes up as you go up. But it does not change the accuracy, which as we know is the problem with rifles in close range. I used the point blank shot all the time with both rifle and pistal at beginning levels.

Start by going prone at the limit of the range for rifle, minus 10. So if max range is 60m, close into 50m. Go prone and use /aim if you have it. Then pop off some shots until you see them turn and run at you. Stand up and start running from them, still shooting. Now I don't know if running at a distance is less penalty then standstill at point blank range. If you can afford some Scatter Muzzles for the rifle, get those. They are the ones that modify the point blank penalty. I use them a lot since critters always come up on me for melee range.

When you get /threaten shot and better yet, /warning shot, do as Delta suggests. I have used to that kite creatures. The run up, I shoot warning shot, throw trap, shoot shoot until they run back. Then shoot off another /warning shot. Repeat until adnausium.

Does that help? I guess if you are lower level, stand in front of them, use that point blank. Your accuracy is still going to suck, but the /pointblanksingle at least does more damage when it does hit.

Adding to that. You can predict most creatures reaction times to rifle attacks. For example on Correlia, a vrelt will allow a couple of shots, a paralopo allows two to three and a razor cat cub will run for you as soon as you've poppped off a shot. Once you've worked out this you can reliably get yourself into a kneel/stand position in time with a pistol ready.

Personally I find the pistol frustrating but I haven't got me a spliced Scout Blaster yet. My laser rifle is great but my spliced carbine is great.

I've noticed a slowed awareness in MOBs to who's doing the shooting when in different stances. In a kneeling position they usually take 3 shots to realize where the shooter is, in a standing position they pretty much charge after the first shot. Might also have to do with camouflage though.

Tarkus,

That's right - you get a modifer for difference stances. Going prone gives you something like a 20% better shot at not getting detected immediately.

You increase that significantly with mask scent on, and being at long range.

I'm generally able to get about 2-3 shots off when I'm at long range with my T21 (8.9 speed) if I've got the best conditions, and a stupid mob.

B

I wanted to also ask, if Pointblank would be better than say headshot1 in terms of hitting and or damage.

Also I seem to get a -50 wether standing or kneeling. Do mobs get a bonus to hit and/or damage if I am kneeling? If so wouldn't it be better to stand?

Thanks for the tips on kiting with warning shot and such. So far my headshots do more damage than the traps so until I get better traps it doesn't seem better to use them. Unless they have a better chance to hit than the rifle?? Or you are just looking to gain experience using them. I am using the bone spur currently...

--Rumor

Rumor,

If you're using a rifle, you need to get out to 56-64m range and you'll see that -50 turn into a +22 generally, depending on if they are moving.

The traps don't usually hit mind too hard - except bonespur, but that's changing in 8 hours. They give other modifiers that you will notice in terms of increased hits from yuor regular weapons and the creature's speed, etc. but not in actual points of their HAMs (in most cases).

B

re: point blank range vs headshot damage

I'd say headshot - purely from the fact that with a laser rifle I can take down a lower end critter with one to two headshots whereas I probably need 3+ for pointblank.

It's a shame that I can't lob the bone spur 60m and then hit them with a head shot...