My Problem w/ Machine Guns

[Platypoa]

Intro

The separation of weapon types in Sandstorm is great. Using an M4A1 has a different playstyle than using a PKM. This is one of the big reasons I so thoroughly enjoy Sandstorm. Unfortunately, the current MG gunplay is severely lacking what brutality should be had with what is normally the most casualty producing weapon for an infantry unit. First thing is that the reload animations are way too slow. Second, the bipod use is terrible.

"Reloading!"
I've had 3+ years experience as a gunner on an M240L gun team, and reloading is a practiced drill. When I needed to reload, I didn't sit there and take my sweet time fiddling with the feed tray cover, eyeing over the weapon, and babying the charging handle. It feels to me as if the characters we are playing were given the MG, having never touched one, and told to go. They can tac reload smaller arms, call in fire support, and breach doors with a swift kick, but act like like a newborn infant learning to walk while reloading an MG. Some changes to this I'd like to see: It'd be nice if a tac reload was implemented for machine guns, difference in reload speed depending on stance (good luck reloading an MG standing with efficiency), new reload animations in general that have some semblance of tactical effiiciency. I understand that they probably can't be too much faster due to balance, but i still feel they can use work.

Nope...not here...nada...negative...finally
The title of this section is what it is like trying to throw the bipod onto a supporting surface. Bipods (considering the existance of other mounting tech such as tripods, vehicle turrets, and CROWS systems) are present to give the gunner the ability to deliver hasty fires on a target or group of targets while utilizing an exterior surface to better control the weapon, increasing accuracy. Now why can I not mount on a majority of surfaces that would fall into this category? Why do MGs not mount on almost any sandbags, destroyed walls, windows, et cetera. I have found that the only somewhat reliable way to take advantage of the bipod on an MG is to drop prone, as trying to use it anywhere ends in two ways; i fidget spastically all over the place trying to put it on a surface or go to engage targets thinking that the bipod can mount where it's at, only to discover by the recoil that it wasn't mounted on anything. Both of these tend to result in death. Some Suggestions: Mounting a bipod on a surface doesn't mean im locking it in place, loosen up the sensitivity and animations while using a bipod. Turning left doesn't mean i need to pick up the entire weapon then flop it all over the wall trying to get it back out the window. (though it is funny when this happens) Greatly increase the amount of surfaces we can use to mount the bipod. A hybrid manual mounting option. A hotkey giving me the ability to unmount/restrict mounting w/o putting up the bipod would be great.

Conclusion
I know Sandstorm is not full release and it's possible these things are already being worked on, but i wanted to throw my penny into the million dollar account just to see where it goes. I really enjoy the game and whether MGs are worked or not, i look forward to the final release. I also hope to see a couple more MGs to use. I'd love to see some responses to my input and hope everyone continues enjoying the game. NO GUTS NO GLORY!

[Quadsword]

Not to mention how ridiculously accurate the gun becomes just by crouching (Though, that's a problem across the entire arsenal, but it seems more glaring with LMGs). The bipod almost feels unneeded since you can just bend your knees to become laser accurate.

I'd also like some more LMGs to choose from besides the PKM and M249. Maybe an M27 IAR for security and an RPK-74 for insurgents to act as more mobile counterparts to the other machine guns?

There are also rumors floating around that the Galil is going to make a return. If so, I hope we can use it as a gunner with a 50 round drum.

[Platypoa]

Originally posted by Quadsword:

Not to mention how ridiculously accurate the gun becomes just by crouching (Though, that's a problem across the entire arsenal, but it seems more glaring with LMGs). The bipod almost feels unneeded since you can just bend your knees to become laser accurate.

Can't say i've had this experience at all w/ the PKM. Flies everywhere. No the M249, definitely more controllable. It's also a much smaller caliber than the SAW.

[TRIUMPH]

I found the PKM okay for long range optic shooting on open maps. The SAW is solid for some silly run n gun since you can control it and also spam through walls without having to reload. If you know the height you can control campers some times.


MGs and the games scale just feels off. Would much rather see something like firefight be about 50/45 round mags mixed with the bipod suggestions op provided. Bipod can just compensate for some things and the overall weapon can cost more or something, bipod balance can just see a point increase acrossed the board.

[コック]

You guys got it all wrong. They are just automatic no recoil snipers. Only downside is i cant attach a 7x

[AsianGirlLover]

The reload time definitely needs to be improved. I was last man standing on the last point when I needed to reload - the damn bots caught me with my pants down with literally .5 seconds needed before I’d be done with the reload.

At the very least, they should make the reloads faster when the character is “under stress” like being the last one alive or receiving suppressing fire.

[Paco]

Originally posted by AsianGirlLover:

The reload time definitely needs to be improved. I was last man standing on the last point when I needed to reload - the damn bots caught me with my pants down with literally .5 seconds needed before I’d be done with the reload.

At the very least, they should make the reloads faster when the character is “under stress” like being the last one alive or receiving suppressing fire.

[Maprikan]

Just adding my support here. On the bipod issue, I have found that it is easier to set it up if you account for the length of the gun when setting up on surfaces. Having the bipod be precisely above the point where you want to set it. Not sure if it's actually any help, but I usually need fewer tries doing this. Maybe just got lucky those times:D