Zaku underpowered??

[Star host]

does anyone else think the base zaku iI ranged model is a little underpowered? Kinda weird considering it was the mainline unit of arguably the greatest principality to ever exist. I mean this thing enabled zeon to drop a colony on earth (rightfully so btw) . . .

[Illusive Soul]

3 boost, 1 invi, 30 bullet deal huge damage at close range, just need to aim better.

[Star host]

Originally posted by The Punchable KaaBii:

3 boost, 1 invi, 30 bullet deal huge damage at close range, just need to aim better.

perhaps you are right. zaku ii pilots likely had better aim than federation pilots on average . . .

[Suguri]

Originally posted by Oldfrog:

Originally posted by The Punchable KaaBii:

3 boost, 1 invi, 30 bullet deal huge damage at close range, just need to aim better.

perhaps you are right. zaku ii pilots likely had better aim than federation pilots on average . . .

I've thought about this, if the Zaku guns were canonically that bad in a distance like from space, it makes sense they lost to Earth Federation's beam weapons.

[Mr.Kill]

Originally posted by Suguri:

Originally posted by Oldfrog:

perhaps you are right. zaku ii pilots likely had better aim than federation pilots on average . . .

I've thought about this, if their guns were canonically that bad in a distance like from space, it makes sense they lost to Earth Federation's beam weapons.

Except in this game beam spray gun has worse range than the Zaku gun.

As for the actual Zaku, it seems the devs don't want too much long-range firepower in the game. In terms of ranged firepower we have the awkward to use Gm sniper. 78's beam, Turn A gundam's DMR, Unicorn and Paleriders rifles (loses a lot of damage over range though) and Marasai's long range rifle (is it long range?). The rest need to fired at a relatively close range to be effective.

Given how many corners are in the game and how powerful and plentiful the healing locations are, more accurate and powerful ranged weapons would simply force everyone to hide a lot so it makes sense for the guns to be nerfed in terms of range and damage. TTK is already pretty low so giving the Zaku 2 the real version of his gun (highly accurate, but weak penetration only good enough to take out a GM which doesn't matter because this game doesn't simulate armor at all) would probably be game breaking.

[Quelia]

I think that Zaku's damage numbers are fine same with survivability. The only thing I would really change is the reload speed. It feels like you spend more time reloading than shooting the gun.

[Mr.Kill]

Originally posted by Quelia:

I think that Zaku's damage numbers are fine same with survivability. The only thing I would really change is the reload speed. It feels like you spend more time reloading than shooting the gun.

The trick is that the abilities cancel the reload once its at about 60% or so. The game of course doesn't tell anyone this and it causes much frustration.

[Rethias]

It's really not. It's a sneak suit meant to BRRRRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTT from behind. Direct engagements, for myself, don't end particularly well but every ambush is just absolutely destructively one-sided.

[Gothicc Feeldoe]

Don't forget it can keep up with Exia's movement especially if you time the dodges. The reload is kinda crappy but movement alone makes up for it. There have been so many times ive been able to survive while reloading due to 3 well timed dodges in different directions. Average person can't keep up with the tracking.

[Deadoon]

Zaku is all about hit and run in this game, it is not a "line" unit like the GM. Get in, do a lot of damage, get out. You have the tools for that job in particular.

Now, the zaku vs gm ingame is a bit funny. The zaku fills it's role when it was new. The GM fills it's role when it was outdated.
The zaku when it was new, it was able to out maneuver the pre-MS federation and gain a lot of momentum. The ZMG shreds the lighter armor of that era, and the mobility was a terror for the more traditional fed military.
When the GM was old(zeta era) it was a rear line unit that had to rely upon it's heavy shield and outdated weaponry. It was slow, being a first generation mobile suit that served for too long, was using old beam spray guns that were superseded.
When they were in the same era though? Gm was faster, generally had similar or better firepower, and more durable.

Overall, considering the low mag size and high fire rate of the zmg in this, it would have been better to use the mmp-80 instead for the model.

[Dept. of Savings & Pwns]

heads are harder to hit compared to server test so zaku ii is a bit harder to play now. you have to get some headshots but everyone goes down with a mag dump. if they have more health they'll need more headshots.

[Mr.Kill]

Originally posted by Deadoon:

Zaku is all about hit and run in this game, it is not a "line" unit like the GM. Get in, do a lot of damage, get out. You have the tools for that job in particular.

Now, the zaku vs gm ingame is a bit funny. The zaku fills it's role when it was new. The GM fills it's role when it was outdated.
The zaku when it was new, it was able to out maneuver the pre-MS federation and gain a lot of momentum. The ZMG shreds the lighter armor of that era, and the mobility was a terror for the more traditional fed military.
When the GM was old(zeta era) it was a rear line unit that had to rely upon it's heavy shield and outdated weaponry. It was slow, being a first generation mobile suit that served for too long, was using old beam spray guns that were superseded.
When they were in the same era though? Gm was faster, generally had similar or better firepower, and more durable.

Overall, considering the low mag size and high fire rate of the zmg in this, it would have been better to use the mmp-80 instead for the model.

I don't recall GM's ever getting incendiary C4 and healing grenades in canon but overall your analysis is pretty good.

[Vivianite]

wdym that thing is a beast

[StoneFrog24]

I had difficulty to play Zaku II range during my 1st few games when I started to play him but after a couple of games, I dont feel like he's underpowered cause what I do with him is hit and run most of the time ( I always have to reload with him so I cant just stand there ) cause I think its the way to play him well ( to disrupt the enemies ). You can easily do one kill with him or even a double or a triple if your in the right situation.

[Owl]

It's a glass cannon that is one step away from disaster, but you've got a kit and mobility that can be a huge nuisance, and a great sweeper if you manage to get into a well timed loop.

Zaku II ranged is also going to force you to learn your maps. The biggest asset you have on this class is being one of (if not) the fastest mobile units on the roster. You can easily pick your battles, and make the enemy team move out of position to deal with what you're doing.

There's uh, also nothing more satisfying to me then denying an overactive Barbatos his instant stun. It feels like I've kissed a sunbeam.

If you give it a little more time, I'm sure it will become a favorite in your roster as well.

[Splinterfuzz]

You kind of have to play it like a melee.