Quick question about handguns

[alrumpel]

Apart from the generally lower AP costs, is there an advantage of handguns over long guns, especially at shorter distances or close range?

I don't have the impression that there are any advantages. But perhaps there are some bonuses or penalties.

Thanks in advance

[Quillithe]

The free hand can be useful to hold a grenade or dual wield handguns.

Between that and the move-and-fire skill you can advance to a good spot in cover and dish out a lot of damage sometimes

Also the free hand can make them useful paired with a sniper rifle as a second weapon potentially - you can carry a grenade that doesn't require swapping AND a weapon you can fire more than once a round if enemies are close.

But as a main weapon I probably wouldn't unless you're ambidextrous

[uncle nick]

You can use Fox, Vicki, Meltdown or similar mercs, max out on agility and dexterity, equip them with light armour, Fast Runner and Leap Frog perks, then use Free Movement to run over and shoot dual wield pistols.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3236293880

Or you could also upgrade to CRIT damage perks and use Mobile Shot to run over to get CRIT kills.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3236294185

[uncle nick]

You could use overwatch to do Interrupt Dual Shots with fully modified Glocks. Fully mod Glocks have 4 round burst fire (1 extra round compared to normal 3 round burst fire).

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3114199337

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3114201509

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3114202334

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3114203145

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3114203741

[uncle nick]

Use Tex and activate Dance For Me.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3096292522

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3096299321

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3096303456

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3096305334

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3096307077

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3096313667

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3096320015

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3096322316

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3096324848

[ROE]

Twin anacondas with quick scopes are crit machines with dex perks. You also get two attacks per round if you don't move before taking your first shot.

[Kernest]

Not sure if it's optimal or anything (since who cares about that), but I do tend to equip my sniper with a back-up handgun with some hollow point or shock bullets, whip it out and end some poor sucker who came too close.

Rather than risking losing that 1% of durability on my main weapon.

[orochiart]

Originally posted by alrumpel:

Apart from the generally lower AP costs, is there an advantage of handguns over long guns, especially at shorter distances or close range?

I don't have the impression that there are any advantages. But perhaps there are some bonuses or penalties.

Thanks in advance

handguns, smgs, shotguns get bonus to hit % when in point blank shot (4-5 squares distance from enemy)

assault rifle (AK47, M-14) single shot 5 AP, 20 dmg. If you have 12 ap you can do aimx1 2 attacks. 40 damage.
if you have good merc he can do single shot and burst shot. That will at best do 50-60 damage.
there are higher damage assault rifles but also lower damage (5.56mm Famas, m16, AR-15)

pistols, revolvers single shot 4AP 15dmg. If you have 12 ap you can do 3 attacks (no need to aim because you get bonus from point blank) 3 attacks 45 damage.
short barrel pistol single shot 3ap. 4 attacks 60 damage.

You take fast runner in agility. that gives you +3 free move. if you also take frog leaping and start near cover (barrels, walls etc.) your free move is double. so you can have a merc that has around 12-18 free move. so you have no problem getting in point blank range.
----------------------
better rifles and assault rifles outperform pistols and allow less risky gameplay but pistols are not terrible.

Also I try different weapons with different mercs. Just to make it interesting.

[alrumpel]

Many thanks for all the interesting tips and advice!

[alrumpel]

"Also I try different weapons with different mercs. Just to make it interesting."

Very good point. This further enhances the gaming experience.

[alrumpel]

"handguns, smgs, shotguns get bonus to hit % when in point blank shot (4-5 squares distance from enemy)"

really?

[Sir Ni]

You may want to try my mod and go for a gunslinger build =)

[rcfox]

I thought I read somewhere that revolvers had better chances of making limb shots.

[The big fat monkey]

I found that Grizzly with the anaconda along with proper upgrades does reliable accurate damage, even hitting headshots often at low AP cost. I paired him with a sharpened machete though.