So, whats the pros and cons of each range weapon?

[Infinite Probability]

I know Shotgun has a nice aoe cone, and Rifle has the best single target range option, what about SMG and pistol? Why take a Pistol at all?

[kx_tq]

At Pistol four you reload for free

[Infinite Probability]

I guess thats something.

[demeides]

Shotgun is the utility weapon: AoE and Crowd control through kneecap. Decent rate of fire while retaining accuracy IF you don't go into long ranges.
AR long range capabilities par none.
Pistol great damage non stop at medium to short range at affordable prices.
SMG obscene fire rates at low to medium range. Dreadful accuracy at long range, expecting one AP a turn set on reload duty.

[[UA] Duckstep]

no AP cost for reloads, then take the six shot ruger with a smartlink and wathc those baddies fall.

[demeides]

Remember though that those nice perks involving pistol multishots require an automatic or semi pistol. Since most hand cannons are revolvers, best gunslinger aproach is to carry both types.

[76561198100956694]

smg is really good if u dont plan to invest heavy in combat skills...but the pistols had lots of good skills if u go for it...I still like rifles over the 2 because i can do safe shots if u had friends ahead u and do auto devastation :)

[synergis7]

Originally posted by demeides:

Remember though that those nice perks involving pistol multishots require an automatic or semi pistol. Since most hand cannons are revolvers, best gunslinger aproach is to carry both types.

Right on. One cannon and one auto. Pistols hit pretty damn hard on a crit, and not having to burn a move to reload allows you to more than make up for any damage deficit by firing more.

[Achi]

- Assault Rifle: probably your biggest bang for the buck. Massive Alpha strike capability, but you need to invest a lot of karma into it to make best use of it.

- Shotguns: Massive damage at short to medium range. Can hit multiple targets at once due to cone. Nasty in a critical hit and doesn't require a lot of karma to make good use of it.

- SMG: A lot of people consider it the best weapon in the game, but I find it more useful as a backup. If you are going for a low Karma investment in the ranged weapon tree, it's an excellent choice.

- Pistol: Most versatile gun. Can shoot at/finish off up to three targets with one action point. High skill allows you to even disarm opponents. Good damage, decent range, a lot of options.

All guns are able to carry you through the game nicely. Where which gun is best is situational.
The savest bet is probably the shotgun, since it combines massive damage with some nice tactical options. The AR can potentially outdamage it, but you have to get lucky. Just because you fire a large salvo doesn't mean that every bullet will actually hit, even if you have a maxed out skill.

[Smaug]

My first runner used ARs exclusively. W/ my second run through, I've found pistols to be far superior. Even at long range, I still get consistent hits.

[Darth Cannabis]

Another thing to consider on smg is all abilities are unlocked after only 3 levels of smg skill. Makes it a good weapon for spell based or anythign else unskilled in gunplay.

[syke]

I don't understand the SMG line. What is the advantage in only having 2 skills in there? It seems like wasting points if you specialize in it.

It's too bad cause I like the idea of toting SMGs, but had to switch to an AR early on due to the ridiculous amount of skills in there. Don't understand it. At short range the AR burst is extremely effective, there is no downside to not carrying an SMG..

[Infinite Probability]

More skills dont necessarily mean better weapon.

[Smaug]

Originally posted by gofortheko:

More skills dont necessarily mean better weapon.

It does make you more versatile though, which in my mind kind of equates to better. That's just my opinion, I know the it just comes down to personal preference.

[samrye]

I think the idea is that you don't have to invest a lot to get the skills. The smg is the untrained spray and pray weapon.

[Sentient_Toaster]

Pistols:

One might note the Slapdash Pistol. It has hilariously high crit rates combined with unusually high critical hit multipliers, so with a high Pistol skill you'll rather often do 24 or 30 per bullet rather than its base damage of 6 (and, apparently, will never do a half-damage hit). This becomes pretty ridiculous if you have Chain Shot and are going up against multiple weaker opponents rather than bosses with several hundred HP.

Also, while neither official campaign does this, it's apparently possible for an author to make various weapon types illegal. In "Shadowrun Unlimited", for instance -- ARs, SMGs and shotguns are illegal without a weapon permit. Some modules also offer silenced pistols for when you're trying to not alert enemies from as far away.



Rifles:

Might be noted that Dragonfall adds sniper rifles set up to be veeeery accurate at long range but harder to use at close range.