B-18. Worth it or not?

[Thatnewguy01]

Looking for the communities oppion on this, last night I watched a b-18 spec, smart gunner, and two privates go on a rampage killing the ayy's including a queen so I think it's worth it but I've seen...'mixed' reactions whenever anyone equips it.

[Karmac]

You genuinely have to be Robust for B18 to work in current meta, slowness and facehuggers will be your big downsides, other than that you are next to unstoppable.

[MrJJJ]

It CAN be good, esspecially if you get yourself a shotgun with a barrel charger + gyro stabilizer (+ mag harness for safety) + riot shield, you can be a utter fucking beast that is hard to kill and denies slashes and tackles from time to time.

Problem is that, other than that set-up, is very hard to actually properly use, especially since there is no b18 boots, which means that one mature runner can fuck you over, making you move even slower, and it slows you down already more than marine armor does, making you unable to chase any xenos, using it, you basically say "i am using riot shotgun combo or something REALLY good", and most people fuck it up anyway.

Oh and as Carmac mentioned, its also really easy to hug you suprisingly, b18 has less protection than bear pelt hat by one

[Liran343]

Get a buddy with a riot shield and a machete and you'll be fine with B-18

[Eonoc]

As the B-18 spec in this story, I actually chose it the way I choose all my spec gear nowadays, by flipping a coin multiple times. I didn't got out of my way to choose it.
However, before my killing spree, as it started I got jumped by a load of xenos. Had I been wearing regular marine gear, I would a been fucked, but instead, due to B-18, I was surrounded by a circle of xenos, all clawing me, and took marginal damage. I then got up and FUCKED them.
Anyway. Back on topic. I somewhat agree with the others that it's only really reliable in combination with a riot shield, and typically a shotgun, but it's being under sold quite a bit. As a mayreen, I typically can go the whole of an op without being hugged, and 99% of my deaths are due to being wounded by FF, then caught due to being EXTREMELY slow from wounds. B-18 more or less removes that risk, and gives me a chance for three huggerIngs that I usually don't get anyway. All in all, a lot of pluses for me. I think it's breddy goddamn good.

[Thatnewguy01]

Eonoc, did you have any combat drugs in you at the time or just tricord?

[Eonoc]

Just tricord and rage.
I was honestly just very lucky with RNG that round. A lot of shield blocks, a lot of armor absorbing hits. Really, the only damage I took was burn damage from xeno blood.

[Toroic]

B-18 is very much a skill gate.

Against bad xenos you can run over them. Good xenos however will destroy you without much difficulty.

This might change once huggers do.

[Surrealistik]

B18 is shit and will remain shit until hugger combat is removed.

[Boltersam]

B18 is shit and will remain shit until hugger combat is removed.

Devs are looking at adding foot protection for the B18.

[Eenkogneeto]

I would say the biggest issue with B18 is lack of foot protection, Huggers are the second largest issue.

[Swagile]

Maybe give them the same protection as Commando helmets until hugger combat is fixed?

Just as a hotfix, because right now even a Young Runner can ambush a B18 user if done right (one face hugger on the floor / dragged behind you, two in hand, then pounce when the first hugger on floor jumps, drop one, then the other, end of B18).

Foot protection has already been asked here.

[Toroic]

Maybe give them the same protection as Commando helmets until hugger combat is fixed?

Just as a hotfix, because right now even a Young Runner can ambush a B18 user if done right (one face hugger on the floor / dragged behind you, two in hand, then pounce when the first hugger on floor jumps, drop one, then the other, end of B18).

Foot protection has already been asked here.

Xenos can't drag huggers, or anything but corpses. A young runner has terrible odds vs a b18 spec and would be better off just double teaming them because 4 huggers makes a b18 an easy kill.

[wastedfate]

Maybe give them the same protection as Commando helmets until hugger combat is fixed?

Just as a hotfix, because right now even a Young Runner can ambush a B18 user if done right (one face hugger on the floor / dragged behind you, two in hand, then pounce when the first hugger on floor jumps, drop one, then the other, end of B18).

Foot protection has already been asked here.

It's been confirmed for a long time that B18 should have foot armor. It just hasn't been added yet. So both the fix for hugger combat, and the fix for feet are in the works, just proceeding slowly.

[Abbysynth]

Even without foot protection B18 is pretty great. Not as great as M56, but still enjoyable and allows you some pretty crazy longevity in rounds. Bug RO until they give you or buy you a gyro stabilizer, with either a shotgun or M41 and riot shield you turn very dangerous. Huggers of course still being your bane; hence why it's important to only engage enemies you know aren't carrying any.

[Surrealistik]

Even without foot protection B18 is pretty great. Not as great as M56, but still enjoyable and allows you some pretty crazy longevity in rounds. Bug RO until they give you or buy you a gyro stabilizer, with either a shotgun or M41 and riot shield you turn very dangerous. Huggers of course still being your bane; hence why it's important to only engage enemies you know aren't carrying any.

Which is no one.

The only spec gear worth using is the SADAR and, to a much lesser extent, Smartgun.