Buckshot vs Slug: The final debate.

[Karmac]

You're better off using a pistol

Okay they're bad, but theyr'e not 'This is the M4A3 Service Pistol, it is even more non-lethal than anything the MP's pack' levels of bad.

[Sleepy Retard]

Okay they're bad, but theyr'e not 'This is the M4A3 Service Pistol, it is even more non-lethal than anything the MP's pack' levels of bad.

At least when you fire you'll hit something, and you could loot an automag from planetside. Makes u think

[Crab_Spider]

Of course dedicated shotgunners should be the minority. But they have their purpose and they're damn good at it. As well, gyro mag harness shotgun with a rifle on your back is damn good as a boot, but sadly as a medic or engi I can't ditch my backpack without letting people get killed. But as the minority "BASICS OF CQC" member in their squad, they should be packing mostly buck or they should geddafukkout. If you want range, slugs aren't even that good. You're better off using a pistol or better yet a pulse rifle.

Yeah, I'm getting real tired of this arguement. If I'm packing a rifle and a shotgun, I'm not sacrifing my backpack to accomodate the other, I pack 2 boxes of both ammunition in case I'm need to hold off a xeno or I know what I'm being limited to. I've gotten more kills with slugs than I do buckshot, and most of my human kills were done with slugs. Everyone knows buckshot is better than slugs, and when they get hit with a slug, they know what exactly what they're dealing with, and with hugger combat, slugs stop the unnecessary process of getting hugged, especially when you're limited to an open field, in which Hunting Castes know when to pounce, if anything gets close, the stun puts them back and if they run like the dumbasses they are, then you know exactly what happens.

[Marcus Jackson]

I still say that you should always carry both sets of ammo into the field if you are going to use a shotgun, it's basic math.

[Steelpoint]

I once saw a unmodified Shotgun with buckshot kill a Crusher with one point blank shot + one melee hit.

Buckshot deals devastating damage, but to get the most out of it you pretty much need to be standing right next to, or one tile from, your target. That makes Buckshot a very high risk but high reward weapon as a good shot can oft outright crit even T3 xenos.

Slug shells more are advantageous if you want to deal damage out to medium range. You can still get the knockdown with hitting your shot but you exchange raw damage for better range. I would say Slug rounds are medium risk, low reward since you don't deal enough damage to justify taking the Slug rounds over the Buckshot when a M41A does Slug rounds better.

I think Slug rounds are only really justified when you are just taking a Shotgun. If you take a M41A and a Shotgun you have no real reason to load Slug rounds when your M41A can do that better.

[Marcus Jackson]

I can't really afford to take extra weaponry as I main-line SL most of the time, so as you can imagine I take both sets of ammo for my shotty and always defend my babies from getting their faces ripped off using my ol' reliable.

[Diggman88]

My take is if it's a backup gun then go buckshot.
If it's your primary take both types.

So, pretty much the standard load out for the server right now.
I plan to give slugs shotty a proper playtest for a few rounds to see if they can be reliable.

[driecg36]

Personally, I never use a shotgun as a primary weapon, but as my sidearm, which is why I always use buck in my shotgun. M4a1 most of the time, but if I'm alone/cornered, or if some cunt runner/hunter thinks he's clever, I pull out the shotgun and firmly assert my personal space.

[Darker]

Take some buckshot, It is the only way to become a... CQC GOD!
And maybe miss shoot some more fellow marines.

[Dions]

You get a shotgun because it is a fucking shotgun, not a slow rifle. Keep some slugs in your pocket though, just in case you find yourself in a static situation with aliens at range.

[James5734]

I'm just throwing this out there and it probably doesn't make sense but.... what if we use both ammo types?

[Crab_Spider]

I'm just throwing this out there and it probably doesn't make sense but.... what if we use both ammo types?

I made a suggestion for an attachment that serves this purpose

[Marcus Jackson]

I'm just throwing this out there and it probably doesn't make sense but.... what if we use both ammo types?

I've suggested this multiple times, but people are illogical so sadly not a possibility for any of them.

[James5734]

I made a suggestion for an attachment that serves this purpose

Could I get a link to look at it?

[Sargeantmuffinman]

Although buckshot has a very high damage output against the slug stable damage, it does have a VERY limited range for buckshot. I'd rather not risk it.

But buckshot can be useful in very CQC areas, although those areas are generally corridors and tight spaces, as well as in defence if any xeno comes close, which would be suicide.

Slugs on the other hand, have the range and the knock-down ability, with the addition of good penetration. Although the damage can be debate-able. It's only needed when it's needed.

[The Respected Man]

Slugs on the other hand, have the range and the knock-down ability

What do you mean knock down ability? Buckshot also knocks down xenos don't they? Is there anything unique to the slugs in regards to knocking down xenos?

[Simo94]

What do you mean knock down ability? Buckshot also knocks down xenos don't they? Is there anything unique to the slugs in regards to knocking down xenos?

not really, same knockdown as buckshot, and heres the thing that makes slugs seem pointless, they only knockdown in buckshot's range which is 3 to 4tiles, further than that they damage only. maybe they need to make slugs knockdown at all times for them to have a use? becuz right now, short range knockdown, does about the same damage as a normal M41A bullet, and loses damage with range, coupled with the absurd rate of fire M37 shotty has. they are only worth it using MK221 shotty IMO

[Sargeantmuffinman]

What do you mean knock down ability? Buckshot also knocks down xenos don't they? Is there anything unique to the slugs in regards to knocking down xenos?

What I mean is for the penetration damage it has as one of the upsides that I've found, it's good for a close up weapon with the auto-shotty as it negates the slow fire-rate of the M37 shotgun.

On it's own with the M37, it ain't work it, to slow for my tastes.

I'm just stating things really.

[VitorZzP]

I use buckshot because i only get my shotgun in case of an emergency, like a runner or a hunter chasing me, if shotgun was my main gun i would obviously use slugs.

[Hulkamania]

The only time I even take a shotgun is for the buckshot, that's mostly just because it's a powerful deterrent to keep an ayy away from you long enough to escape. Trying to Rambo with a shotgun is as dumb as trying to Rambo with anything else, it's about the people around you.

[Solarmare]

I don't really like buckshot, as most people noted it's devastating whenever you actually use it at close ranges on a target, but the risk in using it right is too much to justify it in my opinion. With buckshot the stun and damage can make for an easy T1 or T2 kill, so if you take it you can punish an overconfident ayy pretty strongly. It takes being in a bad position to actually use it well though, so I prefer not to take it. I like slugs since they're general use and have actual range, but the weakness of them has also been noted and if you're taking that alone you may as well use a rifle. You could ask why not use both, and the reason would be you could excel in either regard with attachments in short range with buck or any longer with slugs. It seems to me the option would be to choose mostly slugs and take a box of shells as well for when they'll jump on you, though in the end it's simply my bias against the risk of buckshot which makes me prefer slugs even if it ends up being a weaker rifle. Some days you just want to shoot a shotgun you know.

[NGGJamie]

I used to be a slug guy, but I've since seen the light of the buckshot. It really puts fear into a T3's heart when you walk up with that gyro shotgun and blast most of their health away, I've scared off Ravs and Praetorians constantly after they feel the wrath.

[Bloodl1ke]

I found Buckshot to do wonders in keeping Runners and Hunters away.

[simonset55]

In my opinion the shotgun should only be used if you plan on using it if aliens get too close, therefore it is good to pack a shotgun with buckshot since it's the most effective at close range which is the only time you should ever be using the shotgun. I myself would never even pick a shotgun as an ordinary marine, but if you'e a medic or engineer it is pretty handy because you will often be vulnerable from runners or hunters.

[Bloodl1ke]

You can pack both a M41A and a shotgun, but you sacrifice the satchel/backpack slot. That's what I do lately.