Chain Shot vs. Rapid Shot

[zeeter]

So for my ranger I have the option through the training center of taking Chain Shot for 25 points or Rapid Fire for 15 points. They both have the same aim penalty. It appears the only difference between the two is that Chain Shot requires that the first shot hits the target but Rapid Fire does not. At least the description doesn't say anything about it.

Any reason why I might consider Chain Shot or is it just random that it happened to show up in the XCom skills for this Ranger.

[gimmethegepgun]

It's random that Chain Shot happened to show up for the Ranger.
Rapid Fire is better because it doesn't require the first shot to hit. Also, another (apparent) difference from the descriptions is that it would seem Rapid Fire doesn't have a cooldown, but it does because they added that in WotC and didn't update the description. In vanilla there would've been absolutely no reason to ever get CS because RF could just be used every turn anyway.

Anyway, RF is better than CS. However, since RF has a cooldown, and CS is on a different cooldown, taking CS after getting RF is a good idea so you can dump more shotgun shots downrange.

[Stardustfire]

chain shoot has only the first shoot penaltied, so if u got the hurdle of hitting with the first, the second shot use normal aim.

just take both, because both have CD, and dont use the same CD.

[rzL]

since it's a ranger and most of the time you're firing as near to point blank as possible, the aim penalty is mostly irrelevant, and having both allows you to pretty much double your damage output

[zeeter]

Good advice. I took rapid fire for now. Need more AP for Chain Shot.

[Ichthyic]

like what Stardustfire said.

the reason chain shot is often better than rapid fire, is that the second shot is GUARANTEED to hit if the first shot does. overall, that actually makes it BETTER than rapid fire, because you are going to hit your first shot most of the time anyway. Chain shot also has a 1 turn (or is it even 2?) lower cooldown than rapid fire (3 vs 4).

the reason it costs more ability points is because it's a cross class skill IIRC.

[Fringehunter7719]

Originally posted by Ichthyic:

the reason chain shot is often better than rapid fire, is that the second shot is GUARANTEED to hit if the first shot does.

Last time I checked this wasn't true.

[gimmethegepgun]

Originally posted by Fringehunter7719:

Originally posted by Ichthyic:

the reason chain shot is often better than rapid fire, is that the second shot is GUARANTEED to hit if the first shot does.

Last time I checked this wasn't true.

And, even if it was true, that would still make it worse than RF most of the time, because RF will more reliably get SOME damage instead of being all-or-nothing, with the same average damage output.

[KRON]

Originally posted by Ichthyic:

like what Stardustfire said.

the reason chain shot is often better than rapid fire, is that the second shot is GUARANTEED to hit if the first shot does.

Well, no. It can miss. Even if a target is normally guaranteed to hit(like Chosen Sarcophagus). Also, if you miss on a second shot with Rapid fire or Chain shot the target won't get damage from stock(if your gun has it).

[Mr. Nice]

Originally posted by Stardustfire:

chain shoot has only the first shoot penaltied, so if u got the hurdle of hitting with the first, the second shot use normal aim.

No, both shots from CS get the -15% penalty.

Originally posted by KRON:

Well, no. It can miss. Even if a target is normally guaranteed to hit(like Chosen Sarcophagus). Also, if you miss on a second shot with Rapid fire or Chain shot the target won't get damage from stock(if your gun has it).

Nope, second shot from both RF and CS get stock damage if they miss.

Originally posted by Ichthyic:

the reason it costs more ability points is because it's a cross class skill IIRC.

Pretty much, more specifically certain abilities are marked as "PowerfulAbilities" and cost 25 when cross class, bread & butter abilities are just priced the same as normal (10+ranks above corporal, based on the rank they are randomly placed in, not the rank they are in their native class)

[Liro Raériyo]

From my gathered understanding, rapid fire and chain shot are largely similar, however chain shot has a shorter cooldown, so despite the increased risk of not getting a second shot if your first misses, its a fairly good option.

coincidentally though, a scant few scenarios exist where id prefer chain shot BECAUSE if i miss the first shot i most certainly dont want the second one to land, say for example an archon, if it hasent used blazing pinions yet id rather use chainshot from a guy who has holo targeting and hope either both hit, or i miss so the second shot will cancel and i dont just end up pissing him off into a melee rampage.

but enough devils advocate from me, on a ranger? hardly a difference between em, get em both when you can.

[gimmethegepgun]

Originally posted by Mr. Nice:

Originally posted by KRON:

Well, no. It can miss. Even if a target is normally guaranteed to hit(like Chosen Sarcophagus). Also, if you miss on a second shot with Rapid fire or Chain shot the target won't get damage from stock(if your gun has it).

Nope, second shot from both RF and CS get stock damage if they miss.

I know that wasn't the case in vanilla, did they change it?