I don't understand people sleeping on the Volkite pistol.

[rases]

A relic gathalamor volkite is extremely fun and strong, especially if you have good trigger discipline. The lower row is obviously the best choice, as it rewards consistency over mere damage increase (if you can proc it without the extra consistency). At the same time, Gathalamor offers more consistency over alpha damage (we are talking about a 20% base damage increase on the Ophelian, so it's pretty much negligible considering the low base damage).

The best suggestion on how to use it so to shoot center mass and then move to the head for the explosion. Both ray and explosion scale with HS damage and proccing HS on the target multiplies the explosion damage on the targets nearby. I also found the gunstrike damage to be second only to the heavy bolt pistol.

I mainly use this weapon on Assault/Bulwark, as they are the only ones that needs a powerful ranged tool. Vanguard can already deal with ranged threats with his Instigator. Still Volkite GunStrike > useless Bolt pistol GunStrike. Ammo economy might be problematic if you spray and pray, but if you keep a good trigger discipline and good target focus, you will only need ammo caches and drop pods to end the mission.

Screens of 2 random games pugged in Lethal done with just the pistol equipped.
https://postimg.cc/xqzBZHCK
https://postimg.cc/Z9V01nbS

[Jargous]

I see Volkite as a better choice against Chaos. Tyrannids has the problem of too many of them to focus one down efficiently to trigger explosions. Well placed Bolter shots are infinitely better than well placed Volkite shots against Tyrannids.

[Mr.America]

Lictors cry OP pls nerf vs. volkite pistols.

[Panny]

Funny, I feel the exact opposite in regards to each class.

Bulwark doesn't need it as the plasma is already more damaging and has instant stagger. Assault doesn't need it as the heavy bolt pistol is more damaging if you land headshots (which you should be) and also has stagger.

Vanguard is the only only class where the volkite fits perfectly. Melta gun for hordes/close up, volkite for single target/distance.

As Jargous said above, I do think it's more suited to dealing with Chaos, particularly for the assault.

[rases]

Originally posted by Jargous:

I see Volkite as a better choice against Chaos. Tyrannids has the problem of too many of them to focus one down efficiently to trigger explosions. Well placed Bolter shots are infinitely better than well placed Volkite shots against Tyrannids.

I found the opposite to be true. If you can position well enough, the explosions will decimate the minors while knocking down the survivors.

Originally posted by Mr.America:

Lictors cry OP pls nerf vs. volkite pistols.

That interaction is another stone on top of Lethal. I used to enjoy this mode when 3 people had a combined damage of 70+k damage. Nowadays, you can full clear a Lethal with lass than 30k.

[rases]

Originally posted by Panny:

Funny, I feel the exact opposite in regards to each class.

Bulwark doesn't need it as the plasma is already more damaging and has instant stagger. Assault doesn't need it as the heavy bolt pistol is more damaging if you land headshots (which you should be) and also has stagger.

Vanguard is the only only class where the volkite fits perfectly. Melta gun for hordes/close up, volkite for single target/distance.

That's interesting.

After they fixed Melta's overheal, I've never looked back to the rifle. Too clunky, reload too long. Instigator is the Jack of all trade that perfectly fits the Vanguard. I've always used the melee on hordes, double stomp can keep the whole wave locked down for you to chain a few HS or to help the ranged classes deal with the Thropes.

While it's true that plasma charged is better at staggering (volkite's explosion also stops reinforcements), 90% of my pistol usage on Bulwark and Assault is vs flying units, which are the best targets for a volkite user.

[Chaoslord 87]

I have three problems with the Volkite.

1. The Power scaling is abysmal and only takes off at relic tier.
2. It takes to long to build up enough heat to cause explosion damage.
3. Comparably weak at stopping call ins from Majoris.

I would suggest a faster build up speed for it´s thermal damage with the next patch.

[HHH]

I absolutely hate it, even at relic tier. I went in expecting it to maybe replace the bolt pistol on the vanguard and tried it alongside the recently buffed oculus bolter. Gave it a good college try several times in different situations. Know what I found?

The oculus bolter outperformed it in basically any situation. Trash killing? Oculus. Killing neuro/zoanthropes? Oculus. Killing majoris? Oculus. Using it in close range after a gunstrike? Still oculus, even with the massive damage bonus the volkite gets in such situations. The oculus is actually a beast now when scoped in because it gets a massively buffed accuracy and reduced recoil. It's now better than the instigator in my opinion. I basically never switched to the thing while playing vanguard to level it up. If you don't believe me, try it with the maximum accuracy variant while fully scoped in.

The only situations it did better in was killing bosses if both other teammates also had a volkite (note: the oculus still has pretty good DPS here if you aim at the head, 20% Terminus boost and all), and blowing up barbed strangler pods.

And like Panny mentioned, it's not going to replace the other two classes' pistols. They're just better. The heavy bolt pistol is able to interrupt reinforcements in less than a second and can put things into execution quickly with headshots, and the plasma pistol is generally the GOAT.

[Bedman]

tbh i dont need a pistol, when parry is carring

[Brother Mobinius]

"Please hold still while I microwave you"
Yeah im not gonna use it in lethal

[Sloths]

It's real nice if you have a few on the team. Focused fire seems to melt things along with all the explosions.

Plus the hip fire accuracy is great even at any range.

[Chaoslord 87]

Originally posted by Brother Mobinius:

"Please hold still while I microwave you"
Yeah im not gonna use it in lethal

"Ey, stop annoy me with that Laserpointer"

[Brother Mobinius]

Originally posted by Chaoslord 87:

Originally posted by Brother Mobinius:

"Please hold still while I microwave you"
Yeah im not gonna use it in lethal

"Ey, stop annoy me with that Laserpointer"

*does serious series: serious sideways jumps*

[Burias]

It seems like most people are comparing the basic, un-upgraded neo volkite to their maxed out relic tier pistols, and primary weapons that are suppose to out-perform sidearm pistols.

Personally I think the accuracy is very useful, it instantly detonates with head shots on minoris once fully upgraded, does good damage against terminus from a safe distance, and the ammo capacity seems very generous.

[rases]

Originally posted by HHH:

I absolutely hate it, even at relic tier. I went in expecting it to maybe replace the bolt pistol on the vanguard and tried it alongside the recently buffed oculus bolter. Gave it a good college try several times in different situations. Know what I found?

The oculus bolter outperformed it in basically any situation. Trash killing? Oculus. Killing neuro/zoanthropes? Oculus. Killing majoris? Oculus. Using it in close range after a gunstrike? Still oculus, even with the massive damage bonus the volkite gets in such situations. The oculus is actually a beast now when scoped in because it gets a massively buffed accuracy and reduced recoil. It's now better than the instigator in my opinion. I basically never switched to the thing while playing vanguard to level it up. If you don't believe me, try it with the maximum accuracy variant while fully scoped in.

The only situations it did better in was killing bosses if both other teammates also had a volkite (note: the oculus still has pretty good DPS here if you aim at the head, 20% Terminus boost and all), and blowing up barbed strangler pods.

And like Panny mentioned, it's not going to replace the other two classes' pistols. They're just better. The heavy bolt pistol is able to interrupt reinforcements in less than a second and can put things into execution quickly with headshots, and the plasma pistol is generally the GOAT.

Color me impressed that a primary overshadowed a pistol.
JK, I guess that it's alright if people hate it. It will get buffed and will make lethal even more of a joke.
It covers the disadvantages of melee focused classes (and is available to vanguard, for some reason), it's a clear answer to Thropes, I spent most of my time holding it and never touched an ammo pack. I wish I could use it as a companion to my plasma on Heavy.

Originally posted by Brother Mobinius:

"Please hold still while I microwave you"
Yeah im not gonna use it in lethal

I can top the killboard in lethal as a lower-than-average player and people will still say it's not viable. Still, being on Thrope duty as a melee class felt good, especially when so many people cry about how they can't deal with them.

[Brother Mobinius]

Originally posted by rases:

I can top the killboard in lethal as a lower-than-average player and people will still say it's not viable. Still, being on Thrope duty as a melee class felt awesome, especially when so many people cry how they can't deal with them.

it's slightly better than the normal bolt pistol and feels nice vs spores & bosses
that's about it