what's the point of having the paint job?

[Ajt (real for real)]

It seems better to just go through the stats one by one. Paint job just seems like a useless perk.

[Shiki Diki]

I love it for runs where I want to get a weapon to 12 so I unlock their overclocks, so you can focus on other stuff a bit earlier.

Also, sometimes a weapon is just one level shy of a breakpoint and I never get that last friggin upgrade. I wish one my greys had been a blue paintjob instead as overclocks can be far more impactful than any 2 minor perks. And the earlier I get to them, the better

[Ajt (real for real)]

Originally posted by Shiki Diki:

I love it for runs where I want to get a weapon to 12 so I unlock their overclocks, so you can focus on other stuff a bit earlier.

yeah that seems like the only reason to ever use it. Otherwise it's just a waste if your weapon is already level 12

[Shiki Diki]

Originally posted by Ajt:

Originally posted by Shiki Diki:

I love it for runs where I want to get a weapon to 12 so I unlock their overclocks, so you can focus on other stuff a bit earlier.

yeah that seems like the only reason to ever use it. Otherwise it's just a waste if your weapon is already level 12

Played a few more rounds and I cannot see paintjobs as a waste. Just sitting in a round where I got a purple and a blue paint job for my engi turrets which were enough extra levels to achieve two overclocks on the first stage, which is a good spike in power. If I manage to get the unstable overclock in stage 2, I will be set for most of the run.

If a weapon is paintjob reliant or receives a huge boost in output/utility, I truly believe Paintjobs are better than any combination of lower tier upgrades you could pick

[Herr Morlock]

Does the weapon benefit in ANY way if it is already maxed out (speaking of it's level) when you give it a paint job?
Or in other words, does the weapon level increase the weapons performance in any way, aside from unlocking overclocks at certain level thresholds?

[Shiki Diki]

Originally posted by Herr Morlock:

Does the weapon benefit in ANY way if it is already maxed out (speaking of it's level) when you give it a paint job?
Or in other words, does the weapon level increase the weapons performance in any way, aside from unlocking overclocks at certain level thresholds?

Sadly, no. Weapon levels only serve the purpose of netting you overclocks. Thus, paintjobs are excellent until you hit 18 with the weapon and then serve no real purpose. That does not make them a waste tho (just because I didn't think of this particular case in my previous comment... I never saw paintjobs after "maxing" a weapon tho. Probably just RNG.)

If you want to hit breakpoints and spikes in power early, paintjobs are imo the way to go (exceptions apply for potential legendary upgrades). If you encounter any after grabbing your unstable OC, pick literally anything else.

[Kotli]

Paint job is for rushing the level 6 12 and 18 overclock upgrades + weapon achievements and it also makes it easier to overclock your late game weapons since it hard to get enough XP to do so with out paint jobs.
Since some weapons overclocks nerf that weapon to buff your other weapons these are ideal ones to paint job rush.

[Herr Morlock]

Originally posted by Kotli:

Since some weapons overclocks nerf that weapon to buff your other weapons these are ideal ones to paint job rush.

That's a very helpful idea!

[ViciousSatyr]

I think eventually weapons can reach higher levels cause they have other things that give bonuses at 6, 12, 18, 24 etc. But yeah, unlike most other survivor types, it will always give you the things you don't need rather than making a select 6-8 item build then cutting out what you don't select.