Smartgun, it's usefulness and pressure on specialists.

[Derpislav]

What do you think of the smartgun? And what do you think of specialists that take it instead of a high-damage weapon? Do you agree that it should have it's own class slot?
Discuss, because as of now, the smartgun is being quite problematic - everyone wants it/in their squad, but try to take it instead of SADAR/sniper rifle... Ghostchat will make fun of you forever.

[Tetsip]

The Smartgun is am amazing utility weapon for eradicating low-tier aliens and makes a gear support weapon for laying down threatening suppressing fire.

Additionally, the eyepiece provides you with a night-vision that nullifies the need for flashlights, additionally allowing for much easier target acquisition.

Given the special ability of the smartgun to pass through marines, its best location is close behind a wave of marines, ready to fire into the crowd to deal with antsy runners or drones that attempt to leap on and kidnap marines.

[UNDUS]

IMO it's a low impact but newbie-friendly weapon. I don't see its purpose, because newbies ought not to play specialist anyway.

Maybe if it had some kind of utility it would be better, but all the other choices just outdo it right now. Perhaps its bullets are specially designed to weaken enemy armor, so when you shoot a xeno with a smartgun, it temporarily amplifies the damage done by your squadmates' weapons. Or maybe it can fold down a tripod and turn into an autonomous turret. Something like that.

I think at the end of the day a weapon isn't going to be worth much unless it can actually kill aliens, and it's hard to do that with a gun that has less damage than the M4. In contrast the other specialist weapons can kill aliens solo, or almost solo.

[Derpislav]

While that's true, it has only 350 damage per reload more, and you can carry seven times more M41A ammo in your backpack alone. I love using it and take it every time (after asking the SL if he thinks it's okay) but people hate you for not chosing the path of direct DPS.

Something I think would make it far better is the different fire modes suggested before - viewtopic.php?f=59&t=3355

[Biolock]

I don't care what the specialist chooses to carry so long as they're proficient with it. If they're carrying an SADAR but they are shit with it, then I'd rather they didn't use it. I'll take Wookie or Tank with an SMG over a relatively new marine with B18 armor and an SADAR any day.

[Dyne]

I love a smartgun, but its a sad and tragic affair.
It has its uses, due to no friendly fire and night vision so you can essentially place your gunner in the middle of the firefight, or make other marines shoot where you shoot, but its current damage per bullet seems to be lower then of a 10mm rifle, which is silly.

[Nikov]

I had a suggestion to improve the weapon in a 'neutral' sort of way. It definitely needs some improvement, and I think it just needs to be sending more lead downrange at a click without buffing the per-bullet damage.

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=3355

[Dyne]

Well, it has a longer barrel and starting bullet speed, and the caliber is bigger, so if it makes at least the 10mm rifle damage- wont hurt too much.

[K0NFL1QT]

Yesterdays update introduced an attachment that can be stuck on the Smartgun - the Barrel Charger. Greatly increased damage at the expense of accuracy. And it didn't seem to impact accuracy too much. Not sure on the specifics, but it felt about as strong as the M4, possibly moreso.

[Steelpoint]

I was told by a dev that the Charger increase's damage by about 40%.