More damage or more AP?

[Cheshire Cat]

What is better: weapons that do lower damage but have a chance to restore AP or weapons that do not restore AP, cost more AP to attack but also do more damage?

[PinkDaddySasquatch]

I assume you're asking about the rapid reloader, if that's the case then I prefer not using them. If I want a weapon with lower AP cost I instead just use a different body for the weapon which has a lower AP cost, for example the cyclone crossbow body which requires 21 AP instead of the standard 25 for crossbows.

If you asking in general and not asking about rapid reloaders then my answer is, low damage/low AP cost weapons for unarmored foes and high damage/high AP cost for armored foes(with the exception of crossbows which are inherently weaker to armor).

[frank_kretschmer]

Sorry but I have if you are asking about the rapid reloader for firearms, a complete other opinion. I always use it especially in SMGs, because with a certain perk it gives me 3-4 bursts a turn or more depending on the weapon. I always calculate if this item gives me another shot burst, and with certain builds and weapons namely sniper rifles and 44 pistol I don´t use it because I seldom get a huge benefit from it. It may be the best way to check if the raid reloader gives you a free burst or shot or not, waiting for a random change should not be a reason to use it, I take this item always for the guaranted boni. Speaking of heavy armored foes W2C or other special bullets work wonders.

[happybjorn]

I believe all of the restore AP feats are on kill, so you have to kill the target.

It seems like the question you are asking is mistaken somehow. If you are looking at different measures of efficiency for weapons you can factor in AP refunds, but it will ultimately be some form of question about damage per AP, raw damage vs. enemy mitigation, or maybe overkill vs. just enough kill.

[Cheshire Cat]

I'm running as burst- AR/SMG and sniper. I have 50AP without adrenaline. My current load is:
AR: 10 AP rapid reload 8.6mm Hornet with 10% burst precision. 15-33DAM. On shoot bonus: 25% chance to restore 5-10 AP per turn
Sniper: 30AP Dragunov. 50-80DAM, on shoot bonus: 60% chance to restore 10-20AP per turn
But I have other options:
I got 9AP 5mm Mini-Izu with 9-12DAM. On the low side but I could burst with 21AP, so twice per turn. No bonuses and durability is just 690.
Regarding snipers, I got AFW sniper. 35AP and 70-100DAM. No bonuses.
I also have Steyr 16AP, 22-52DAM but it looks to costly. Haven't tried crafting chimera so don't know how much are its bursts.
Should I keep my current loadout or look for better options?

Originally posted by happybjorn:

I believe all of the restore AP feats are on kill, so you have to kill the target

They both proc on shoot, not on kill

[frank_kretschmer]

It´s a shame that the WIKI is still down, different Weapon Frames have different Advantages and Disadvantages. The Jackrabit SMG Frame has a built in burst precision for example.
The Weapons you have are ok for early midgame, just keep a lookout for high quality frames if you are into crafting.
if you are into sneaking I would replace the Mini Izu with a Impala 5mm barrel, rapid reloader and silencer. Electro Ammo is nice if you have to kill emenys without rasing alarm. The Mini Izu is nice when you just arrive Core City but later on rather weak
;y SMG Build uses 2 SMG uses a Impala 5mm. rapid reloader, and compensator with W2C bullets, either for armared foes and a quick shot with low AP, The other is a 8,6mm Steel Cat SMG with reloader and compensator and normal ammo, so I don´t waste money. Since ammo is expensive I use a similar build SMG with 7,6? mm as a third weapon.
You can often craft much better weapons then you can buy or find. The Choices above about the weapons are mostly defined by my luck or not in finding superb frames.
If you are into Assault rifles, than a great one can be found by some Ironheads near their main base the Steyr Auch. a good SMG can be found in a quest for the Tchortists, but than you may have better.

[happybjorn]

Looks some things changed with the update that I'm not familiar with yet (have only played psi or crumpin' stick builds lately). However, it's probably still the efficiency problem I mentioned above.

Simple answer is be on the lookout to replace stuff.

There is an upper limit on how good gear can be and you aren't close to it yet. If you use durability as general guide anything over 2000 is good and might not get replaced (i believe item level 160 main components will give 2670 durability, which is close to the max possible, although if you have the expansion stuff can go slightly higher).