so saiga 12 or ram 2

[iWhisky]

After several tests I can't decide between the two and if one is more efficient than the other.

[Coolverine]

Originally posted by Myztkl©-Kev:

Originally posted by Coolverine:

Still using the Sledgehammer.

I was maining the sledgehammer until I got the m701 underbarrel shotgun, but the sledge (and the SPSA-14 in general) have the lowest durability out of all the shotguns.

Never had any problem with the SPAS-14 or Sledgehammer concerning its reliability compared to other weapons, but now I have the Ram-2 and it's the most superior shotgun out of anything by far, even the Saiga. Might sell all other shotguns in my stash and keep just this one.

[Baron01]

Originally posted by Coolverine:

Never had any problem with the SPAS-14 or Sledgehammer concerning its reliability compared to other weapons, but now I have the Ram-2 and it's the most superior shotgun out of anything by far, even the Saiga. Might sell all other shotguns in my stash and keep just this one.

How's chimera or 3 bloodsuckers at once? Either you are running mod to lower mutant HP or you just ignore the fact you will have to eventually reload during combat, at which point RAM 2 will be completely useless. Its small saving grace is that each loading animation put 2 shells in but it is still massively slower than Saiga. Saiga can also burst better than Ram 2 as Ram 2 will need to pump after 2 shots, which lowers your burst potential. I can now kill bloodsucker at Stalker difficulty as it pops out of stealth before it lands a hit as I can burst 5 shells while heavily compensating for the recoil.

[Coolverine]

Originally posted by Baron01:

Originally posted by Coolverine:

Never had any problem with the SPAS-14 or Sledgehammer concerning its reliability compared to other weapons, but now I have the Ram-2 and it's the most superior shotgun out of anything by far, even the Saiga. Might sell all other shotguns in my stash and keep just this one.

How's chimera or 3 bloodsuckers at once? Either you are running mod to lower mutant HP or you just ignore the fact you will have to eventually reload during combat, at which point RAM 2 will be completely useless. Its small saving grace is that each loading animation put 2 shells in but it is still massively slower than Saiga. Saiga can also burst better than Ram 2 as Ram 2 will need to pump after 2 shots, which lowers your burst potential. I can now kill bloodsucker at Stalker difficulty as it pops out of stealth before it lands a hit as I can burst 5 shells while heavily compensating for the recoil.

?

Not understanding the point you're trying to make, where did I talk about mods?

Gonna block you just to be on the safe side.

[Baron01]

Originally posted by Coolverine:

?

Not understanding the point you're trying to make, where did I talk about mods?

Gonna block you just to be on the safe side.

Damn, literacy and reading comprehension is hitting rock bottom these days.

Anyone else who might be confused what was this about. Saiga is the king of shutguns because it has magazine reload and you can find extended mag that increases shell capacity from 8 to 12. Considering its damage stats, ie. damage and armor penetration, are the same as Ram 2, the magazine reload is what breaks the tie for Saiga.

[Andy Mil]

I think I like RAM 2 now. Saiga does reload whole mag but it take forever but RAM 2 insert 2 as a time. I have found a place where there other steam topic forum mention about 3 bloodsucker attacking them. RAM 2 if miss alot they can insert 2 at a time and cancel anytime and also reload quiet fast but Saiga sitting duck until pull that puller to load that 8 rounds. Not even when mag already fed but gotto pull that first

[Mordegar]

Ram 2. The accuracy is better and i can kill Exos with 2 buckshot hits to the head across the room. Saiga has a larger pellet cone.

[Darth Cannabis]

Originally posted by Baron01:

Originally posted by Coolverine:

?

Not understanding the point you're trying to make, where did I talk about mods?

Gonna block you just to be on the safe side.

Damn, literacy and reading comprehension is hitting rock bottom these days.

Anyone else who might be confused what was this about. Saiga is the king of shutguns because it has magazine reload and you can find extended mag that increases shell capacity from 8 to 12. Considering its damage stats, ie. damage and armor penetration, are the same as Ram 2, the magazine reload is what breaks the tie for Saiga.

While I see why that is the tie breaker for some, its not that clear cut for me once you consider the loading of alternating loads for the breach loaded.

Yes the mag reloads quicker, but if you need to change round types, you have to change that mag every single time you change round type.

With alternated loads (let's say a 2, 4, 8 on the 14 rounds of ram, in dart, slug, shot sequence), when I see a bloodsucker or other mutie, I take the 2 long range shots, followed by 4 slugs, and then can clear out remaining fodder with buckshot, and never once have to reload during the actual fighting. They were all preloaded in the typical order I want to chance round type with.

That same scenario with a mag, would be 2 shots, then a ammo change, followed by 4 shots, and a ammo change, or you have to fully commit to a single round type.

So when you consider that, a properly planned out breach load cancels out the need to reload to change round type in the middle of battle. For me the faster reload and proper preplanning (as well as the ability to partially load) cancel each other out, making it purely a matter of preference.

[Baron01]

Originally posted by Darth Cannabis:

While I see why that is the tie breaker for some, its not that clear cut for me once you consider the loading of alternating loads for the breach loaded.

Yes the mag reloads quicker, but if you need to change round types, you have to change that mag every single time you change round type.

With alternated loads (let's say a 2, 4, 8 on the 14 rounds of ram, in dart, slug, shot sequence), when I see a bloodsucker or other mutie, I take the 2 long range shots, followed by 4 slugs, and then can clear out remaining fodder with buckshot, and never once have to reload during the actual fighting. They were all preloaded in the typical order I want to chance round type with.

That same scenario with a mag, would be 2 shots, then a ammo change, followed by 4 shots, and a ammo change, or you have to fully commit to a single round type.

So when you consider that, a properly planned out breach load cancels out the need to reload to change round type in the middle of battle. For me the faster reload and proper preplanning (as well as the ability to partially load) cancel each other out, making it purely a matter of preference.

Interesting point and approach. How do you deal with 3 bloodsuckers at once?

I agree that in a scenario where your magazine is enough to clear the danger, Ram 2 is on par or even better than Saiga. However, that is rarely the case as you move towards end-game. Using special ammo is another reason I stopped using manually fed shotguns because changing ammo means first unloading it via very slow animation and than loading new ammo type back in. Ammo type change on a magazine fed weapon is just simple reload. This is obviously not realistic since we have just one magazine but that is how the game is made.

I also recognize that some people want to RP in the game and use whatever weapon they like. However, you can like Ram 2 or Sledgehammer (SPAS-14) but objectively for general purpose use Saiga-12D is just better weapon. If we could get the drum magazine before passing point of no return along with the last blueprint, it would be no contest.

[Coolverine]

All I know is a Burer tried to sneak up to me and as soon as he lifted his hand to do that telekinesis bs, 2 rounds from the Ram-2 to his face dropped him before he could do that shield thing.

As for big mutants like Chimeras, I tend to not waste ammo since they take so much to put down. One time a Chimera chased me 400 meters to a friendly base and like 20 STALKER's came out and started shooting it, took so many rounds even from that many. Was one of the coolest things I have seen in this game or any game like this before.

Bloodsuckers are actually no big deal at all, just hide in a narrow corridor and as soon as you see a shift in the light, just start shooting there. They go down pretty fast from a few headshots too.

Haven't needed any mods to adjust anything, I feel like the difficulty and balance of the game is how they intended.