Lead storm can't work like this

[Kronk]

The gunner's whole point is to rely on ONE concept: shoot fast, don't stop shooting, shoot even faster, never stop never stopping. His main weapon is the Lead Storm and the way it needs an enemy to be in a roughly 45 degree angle in front of him (in the walking direction) is making him extremely janky to play. You need to be running from big crowds a lot more than Vampire Survivors (lead storm = daggers), and enemies are rarely there in front of you because of the nature of the encounters, running from compact mobs of aliens in a maze. You don't have the time, the health or the opportunity (especially when mining) to turn around and actually use your weapon. This isn't VS, the enemy hitboxes are pretty difficult to gage in the chaos, so turning back to shoot is always a serious gamble on your hp. It just feels like it has such wasted potential and makes the gunner a bit of a disappointment. Making the aim omnidirectional would help with that.

Also, unprompted, and people won't be able to not criticize, but as someone who basically played every survivor-like out there: game bit too hard/unbalanced, gameplay loop somewhat frustrating, needs tweaking. (The game just released in EA, I know yall, I'm just adding my rock to the very heavy pile of questionable feedback).

[RawSwiggity]

Yeah i do think the main gunner weapon being a front shooting only is a bit weird. It does make him feel like a weaker choice than the others. where as in the base game if you want to get some killing in he would be the obvious choice. i think he would benefit from something like being able to walk backwards while shooting just at like a lower speed or somethin?

[Tyyne]

With the proper upgrades, the minigun is one of the most powerful guns in the game. Also, there are three different subclasses for the gunner and you have four weaponslots. Play a bit more and judge the gun again.

[Herbo]

His gun is very strong, you run around mining and then turn around to wipe out everything chasing you. Once it starts reloading start mining again. Repeat.

[Kronk]

Originally posted by Tyyne:

With the proper upgrades, the minigun is one of the most powerful guns in the game. Also, there are three different subclasses for the gunner and you have four weaponslots. Play a bit more and judge the gun again.

I have, and I'm not blind to its potential. Seriously, I just finished a run with him and fully upgraded it, I had a pretty decent build for once and I melted those final bosses. But it's still awkward and janky to use in the context of DRGS, with walls and obstacles everywhere, a vital need to not just move around but straight up run away constantly. The concept of a forward facing weapon just doesn't feel like it translates well into this specific form. The shotgun feels a little better since it's more of a shot-by-shot weapon, so you don't have to constantly face the enemy to get some damage in, but it's still a little uncomfortable.

[AllaNoix]

just finished my thrid lvl ,with...... the gunner it melted them like a bfg9000 would

[アゼム]

Gunner is the easiest class in the game solely because of that gun
Learn how to use it before complaining

[dr46onfusion]

Unlock the auto-shotgun and it's level cap unlock, it will turn the gunner into a beast where you can plow fields of weak bugs and make space.

Heck if you can unlock multiple forward facing weapons you can turn him into a walking tank with sufficient upgrade and luck.

The auto-shotgun is the best frontal facing weapon in the game, due to it's insane DPS to kill early game and mid game tier enemies. It shoots constantly unlike other weapons which may have very long reload period, it has a reload speed of 1 second by default, and shoots 4 times. Increase reload speeds by 100% and max out fire rate, and you will literally 'spit' out spread shots.

It also 'staggers' enemies back a few milimeters when you shoot them and having all the pellets hit a big enemy will do full damage.

I'm not sure if you can unlock more guns and actually get them to build a unique playstyle though.

For instance the digger has a circling flamethrower, and the engineer has a circling tesla drones.

The Digger starts by default a pistol that shoots behind him, and only behind him, so maybe you could combine that with the gunner's machine gun.

[GIRL]

I thought he was weak at first too. I just cleared multiple haz 2 missions with him though (barely any meta upgrades, I just started the game), and I can say he's really amazing.

You do kind of have to focus on kinetic builds, though. Just don't build anything else but Kinetic weapons, kinetic damage, etc. Get the Overclock for the minigun that gives it pierce-through, it makes it ungodly strong. Also, get the artifact that gives you bonuses for standing still - back yourself into a dug-out tunnel (make sure you have an escape wall you can dig through) and funnel bugs in. Crazy powerful.

Also, a neat tip for using the Minigun- When you're mining something, lightly tap in the opposite direction. Not enough to stop mining, but doing this will make Gunner "face" that direction, letting the Minigun shoot while you mine. VERY important trick for succeeding with the Minigun, imo.

[AvivLobel]

the gunner have a different tactic actually with the minigun.
once u get pierce on it its become an insane weapon.

the only thing u need to do is take some distance once its reloading and then turn back face the horde spary them with the minigun .
also good strat is too tunnel ur self a little but so the horde come on one line then spray them.
the gun it self going to win many lvls as a gunner once u get the pierce upgrade.

btw no pierce on weapon, u will have hard time to win.

[Imladhrim]

You have to adapt your playstyle.. then it works. I had the same problem with the engineer at first. Add in a weapon that counters the only shoot front draw back and the leadstorm is amazing. Run away until a horde forms behind you.. turn around and melt them.. with upgrades and weaponmods it get's better.
Unlocking weapons with other classes gives a variety of tools to use. As long as RNG does'n shank you :D

[Dwarfurious]

Originally posted by RawSwiggity:

Yeah i do think the main gunner weapon being a front shooting only is a bit weird. It does make him feel like a weaker choice than the others. where as in the base game if you want to get some killing in he would be the obvious choice. i think he would benefit from something like being able to walk backwards while shooting just at like a lower speed or somethin?

pair it with a bulldog with knockback, or a warthog with knockback, or both, its a good weapon to use as your main and use others for knockback or slow to fully unleash its damage.
That said i wouldnt be surprised if the difficulty remains but we see more progression (like bosco) that will make the game easier without modifying the enemies

[ZeppMan217]

The fact that Subata makes for a better all around starter weapon underlines just how bad Lead Storm is.

[JimboTCB]

I love when I'm trying to kite a big load of mobs and my guy decides to piss away all his ammo on the three random bugs that spawn in front of him. Gunner just fundamentally does not feel fun to play with the current auto-shooting design and not being able to control fire direction independently of movement.

[SimplyGnome]

nah its fine

[QuantumRyze]

Originally posted by SimplyGnome:

nah its fine

it is a dog water weapon and easily the gunners weakest weapon out of any one he has, except maybe the HE grenade which is easily the worst weapon