Ultimate weapons weak?

[M3R]

Am I missing something with ultimate weapons? They seem incredibly weak compared to the purple weapons I've been just finding even if the purple is levels underneath. Even with the unique abilities ultimate weapons have I just feel like they aren't good. I got one of my descendants to level 40 and have guns in the level 50's but even at that point the ultimates don't feel worth and are just a waste of resources to up their level.

For example I have the albion calvary gun (ultimate) that's level 57, does 27k dps base, 34k with modules. My gun I've been using for a while is a purple at level 55 that does 40k damage base, 53k dps with modules. I just don't see the point in using the ultimate at all so either I'm missing something or other people share same view.

[WickedDKS]

Seems they have a set reactor for most Ultimate weapons. combining them has enhanced effects rather than a normal Hand Cannon reactor. I believe purple gives 140% and Ultimate gives 160%.

[M3R]

Originally posted by WickedDKS:

Seems they have a set reactor for most Ultimate weapons. combining them has enhanced effects rather than a normal Hand Cannon reactor. I believe purple gives 140% and Ultimate gives 160%.

Huh, I see that now. But even with matching optimization requirement, weapon strength remains unchanged, is this games progression supposed to be that you optimize your reactor/external components rather than your weapon?

[XzaDaGr8]

Well, the thing is with these games the purple weapons can't be upgraded. You can combine duplicates of ultimate weapons up to four times. With modules they become ultimate weapons.

[Janik]

purple weapons ATM, is better gun DPS than ultimates.
you can reach higher Skill DPS with ultimate guns and they have specific uses via their ultimate effects tho

[TurtleTacos]

Thanks this is good info everybody. This is what I was finding as well. I haven't used any ultimate weapons because honestly I didn't want to burn the resources to take them from one up to whatever level I can and then find out their garbage. They just didn't look that exciting. The purple weapons I have have been doing the trick.

[Kyutaru]

Originally posted by M3R:

Originally posted by WickedDKS:

Seems they have a set reactor for most Ultimate weapons. combining them has enhanced effects rather than a normal Hand Cannon reactor. I believe purple gives 140% and Ultimate gives 160%.

Huh, I see that now. But even with matching optimization requirement, weapon strength remains unchanged, is this games progression supposed to be that you optimize your reactor/external components rather than your weapon?

Feels like ammo becomes more and more of a problem the harder the game gets. If that's the case, then skill damage (which is free) will matter a lot because ammo is limited. In which case, the reactor matters more than the guns.

[Lyote]

Originally posted by TurtleTacos:

Thanks this is good info everybody. This is what I was finding as well. I haven't used any ultimate weapons because honestly I didn't want to burn the resources to take them from one up to whatever level I can and then find out their garbage. They just didn't look that exciting. The purple weapons I have have been doing the trick.

Albion Cavalry Gun in particular appears extremely undertuned even taking it's (useless) unique ability into account.

With a smaller, magazine, lower RoF and the least damage per bullet of all the MGs, there is no reason to run it.

The one single stat it holds an advantage in is it's accuracy. The spread on that thing is tiny compared to the other MGs.

Thundercage on the other hand stands well with the other SMGs.

Probably going to take a few balance passes to get things in order, but I suspect it works this way on purpose so that Ultimate do t just outright replace all other guns in its family just for being yellow.
Which is good, but it needs a few balance passes to make some of them at least viable options.

[Diniven]

Ultimates can take catalysts that can throw discounts slots for modules. This means your ultiamate sucks now, but after spending $100 on catalysts for the gun it'll be super-duper-game-changing broken. They're literally pay to win unless you want to spend a week per catalyst grind. You do you though.

[deadlyuo]

Originally posted by Diniven:

Ultimates can take catalysts that can throw discounts slots for modules. This means your ultiamate sucks now, but after spending $100 on catalysts for the gun it'll be super-duper-game-changing broken. They're literally pay to win unless you want to spend a week per catalyst grind. You do you though.

All weapons can use catalyst ... there is no difference in the ammout of mods you are gonna be able to put in an ultimate weapon .

[Kahvipannu]

They have unique abilities, for example the cavalry gun works with stuns (but it is a weak one imo too). The shotty has 100% crit if you land all shells, Nazira Handcannon can restore allies shields and lowers enemies defences, and so on.
Purples are easier to tune for side stats.

[[SHH] Unreal4Real]

Ultimate weapons - use weapon level transmission and up them to 50+ using a random gun from that range.

Once thats done you need duplicates to enhance their ultimate abilities. Lastly, find the reactor that compliments it as they offer specific benefits to skill power based on the weapon matching the reactor.

Once thats done the DPS is fair but when combined with the often very useful ultimate skills it sets them over the top. The skill power boost makes them even more worth it.

Basically it's about balancing the ultimate skills and the boosts to your descendant skill more than the basic DPS. A bit confusing coming from other games but very fun once you get it down.

[The Sniper Harbinger]

Actually, wait till you unlock hard mode, and also most ultimate weapons tie into a specific descendant and the ultimate(yellow/gold) reactors require a specific weapon to be equipped to be turned on (enhance power levels), so there is a lot to grind for and yes, you need to use the upgrade weapon terminal option and also re-roll their stats (yes 2 different crafted things needed to even get it close to a purple). Welcome to the real grind fest.

[M3R]

Highest I managed to get my Thunder cage with modules was near 100k which I thought was pretty good. Then there was the unlinking of 87. Yeah.. hindsight I shouldn't have done that, lost all my progress but I'm pretty much back to where I started and I love this game so it's fine. I can also get twitch drops now lol.

But the Thundercage is actually a lot of fun dispatching groups of enemies. Pretty much been my primary gold for a while.

[inkbear]

Just get the Tamer. I had over 200K DPS on it when I went into Hanged Man

[M3R]

Originally posted by inkbear:

Just get the Tamer. I had over 200K DPS on it when I went into Hanged Man

Will definitely check it out