Firearms Course vs Marksman training WTF? BUG?!

[Adrax]

The first one:
Firearms +10
Reloading time -10%
Accuracy -10%

The second one:
Firearms +10
Reloading time +10%
Accuracy +10%

So let me think for a while. They both offer the same. Only second one instead of minuses offers pluses. Jeez, I wonder which one to get?

Is it a bug or just a sick joke?

[Solar Maximus]

It is indeed confusing at first glance till you get used to it. But here is the scoop...

The first one: the reloading time takes less time, 10% less time. So they will fire more volleys in "x" amount of time. The consequence is that their accuracy goes down a little bit because they fire a bit faster. Less time to aim would be another way to look at it.

The second one: the reloading time takes a little longer, 10% longer. So they will fire less volleys in "x" amount of time. The consequence is that accuracy goes up, because they fire a bit slower. More time to aim would another way to look at it.

They don't do a great job of indicating these things, and it's not exactly intuitive to a lot of people. But it does make sense once you get used to thinking about it in the right way.

[Adrax]

O.K. Thank you for explanation. That makes sense. I guess joke goes on my part. Still it could be described more deeper in game tool tips.

[bwc153]

Firearms course appears to buff reload time at expense of accuracy, while Marksman training appears to buff accuracy at expense of reload time.

EDIT: Had page open, should've refreshed before responding, oops.

[maniacalpenny]

For what its worth, the +accuracy is almost certainly better. They will both do effectively similar dps but the accuracy one will consume less ammo and deliver higher morale shock.

[lord_zbyszko]

^ This. Many experienced UGCW players seem to value accuracy above all else, and it seems like a no-brainer for the Rebs to choose higher accuracy over increased ammo use ...

[Solar Maximus]

Originally posted by maniacalpenny:

For what its worth, the +accuracy is almost certainly better. They will both do effectively similar dps but the accuracy one will consume less ammo and deliver higher morale shock.

Originally posted by lord_zbyszko:

^ This. Many experienced UGCW players seem to value accuracy above all else, and it seems like a no-brainer for the Rebs to choose higher accuracy over increased ammo use ...

Yep, both the above are true.

I've played using the different combo's over the many hundreds of hours. Although I've done well on MG using Assault Course and Firearms Course, I'm definitely seeing better results using Marksman. The accuracy routs the ai earlier, I loose less guys overall, I control the tactical situation better, and as maniacalpenny said I use a bit less ammo too. A lot of positives to be gained as the campaign progresses.

It helps out also with the "trade-me-down" method of outfitting troops with better weapons. Early in the game for the Union the M1855 or Harpers Ferry are usually your most common good rifle.

With Marksman you will rack up kills faster, the brigade ranks up a bit quicker, and the important "Firearms" attribute goes up a lot faster. Then later in the game, when the M1861's and better start showing up, or captured CS Richmonds and Fayettevilles, you can arm your Marksman brigade with a more accurate weapon than the M1855's, and they can take good advantage of it since that brigade is now more accurate to begin with, having a high Firearms rating. Then the newer brigades get the M1855 hand-me-downs.

No small wonder the ai Rebs are killing machines with Fayettevilles and brigades that are 3* with high Firearms ratings.

[cromagnonman2k]

My feeling on this is based upon how the Firearms skill works. Per the manual, as the Firearm skill improves to 100, the men fire up to 30% faster and 20% more accurately. An absolute 10% buff to accuracy is relatively larger than a 10% buff to reloading, and so will make a bigger difference.