breach cutter vs grenade launcher

[Vaykor]

Engineer main here
Still somewhat fresh to the game. I just recently unlocked and started using the breach cutter and I feel like either it's underpowered or I'm using it wrong. It's somewhat decent against regular mobs but Praetorians/anything larger than a grunt just takes it like a champion. Which one do you use, why, and how do you mod it?
Also general tips for better usage of the breach cutter apart from using it on a long line of enemies are welcome.

[Nightwolf]

the breach cutter took a bit of a nerf ,it used to be able to melt most anything in 4 shots. im assuming with overclocks itll be back to its place as king, but for now as stock they are pretty on par with each other.

as for using it, really i just keep it to bulks and praes, if you get a ton of enemies crammed into a tunnel you can do real damage, well before the nerf anyway.

[Professor Hugedix]

I always use breach cutter. My build is ABCCA

shoot it along the length of a praetorian so that the line strikes their entire weakpoint, you should be able to kill them in 3-4 shots, less if you can get the distance just right so that the projectile explodes inside them

[Syncourt]

Breach cutter man myself. Havent used it since 25 though so I cant really give tips as I dont know how much its changed.

Pre 25 though all it took was some getting used to and then I rarely went back to the GL.

[Nightwolf]

yeah with the way things are now id acutally go with the nade launcher until you get proper overclocks for the breach cutter. combined with the lure nerf any engie is going to be seeing far more combat now and the nade launcher is good for large groups

plus the fatboy overclock for the nade launcher is surprisingly useful and insane fun lol

[Athos42]

I'd put it this way... for me, Update 25 brought the two weapons together more closely. You really feel the -20% damage nerf for the Breach Cutter because they moved some of the mods between Tiers. Before 25, you could get both +2 damage and Armor Breaking, now you can't. Since Armor Breaking is pretty much mandatory for your team....

I didn't use the Grenade Launcher since the Update, but with a (for me) weaker Breach Cutter the Grenade Launcher sounds a bit more promising. Sure, the Breach Cutter still works better vs. explosion resistant enemies, but the Grenade Launcher can be fired from every angle and not just on a plain surface.

Also, with the new Dreadnought armor regeneration system , I now use my total 18 shots vs one Dread as before I used about 8 or 9 (Hazard 3 that is). Not sure if the higher raw damage value of the Grenade Launcher is now not the better choice. I have to try it out.

[Vaykor]

Originally posted by Professor Hugedix:

I always use breach cutter. My build is ABCCA

Tried ABCC since my level isnt high enough yet to get the last perk (ikr)
Now it actually feels somewhat useful. Still debating whether one is better than the other. Thank you for the build and thanks everyone else for sharing their opinions/experiences

[Dagordae]

Breach cutter for hordes, GL for range.

Of the 2 scenarios where they are optimal, the cutter comes up more reliable. The GL requires you to be able to drop the shot in the middle of a swarm whereas the cutter just needs them on a somewhat level surface.

Even with its reduced damage it slaughters swarms when they rush you.
The cutter also can strip armor more effectively, and it’s damage is still massive against large enemies.

[Pimpin Pippin]

Breach cutter is very short range and is great for straight terrain where it can slice through a horde of enemies.
Its also great vs big bugs if you can fire it so it passes through their entire body.

Grenade launcher is your standard grenade launcher, has good range good damage good splash.
Simple to use, can be specialized for more single target (direct impact) damage or more AOE.