is Ranged melee any good?

[arcturo]

Well, after getting ranged weapon crafting to 50 and doing some experimentation I have to say that it isn't. Maybe it feels more worthwhile at higher levels, but from what I've tried so far I don't feel like a gunner at all.

I tried the autolauncher first, under the assumption that since the crafting plan is level 50 there would be an advantage to it. I can't kill a single target with one set of ammo (6 shots and 30 bulk) though.

Switched to a rifle: It feels more like a pellet gun. I was expecting rifle combat to be more like magic, trying to kill targets before they get to me, but instead it's slower than melee combat and weaker as well. I started putting rate increase on autofire, which closed the speed gap but still leaves me without an equivalent to melee's increase damage, bleed, slow, etc. Plus I'm in melee range after the first few shots. I just don't see the advantage to ranged combat when I could just stab them for more damage, faster, and without worrying about ammo consumption.

When do the guns start to feel like guns?

[naratuul]

When do the guns start to feel like guns?

lol when you can blast an enemy squad into dust from 60M using your q250 damage ammo in a max range q250 launcher

[arcturo]

lol when you can blast an enemy squad into dust from 60M using your q250 damage ammo in a max range q250 launcher

...So you're saying it won't resemble explosive ranged combat until I've got the skill capped?

[zangan]

Actually, i have. FF: Tactics. you could select an item and through it at an opponent. this being anything from the afore mentioned shurikens, to freakin' Excalibur. (not that you would do that, just saying... )

Oh, but throwing Ecalibur is quite fun when you build up about 18 of them...very effective.

[talismar]

If your just standing there, uh yeah your gonna get mauled. You can run and shoot... I recommend nice big circles.

Study the different critters ... some run much slower then others.

Early levels of gunnery can be dis-heartening. Like the other skills it does get better.


By no means is my character a master in ranged combat but its fairly clear to me that in a group its more of a support role.


Having said all of that, I understand ranged combat is under review by the devs ... they haven't said how they might change it that I've seen.

[sofiaoak]

Lower level range fighting is totally useless in PvE. You can do very little damage and You can't really defeat anyting. Example if You fight in team with healer and two handed melee fighter, You will notice that more than 80% of damage is done by the two handed melee fighter. That means two handed melee fighter takes down enemies 5 times faster than range fighter.

In highter level, launcher may have the damage, but only VERY short time, because You can't carry the ammos. So I would not count it even fighting category, but playing with new lolipop toys.

If You list fighting ability in some order, it would be two handed melee, one handed melee, close combat and in last, range fighting. Problem with close combat and range combat is that they damage in time is not enough. If You have to fight 5 times longer than other fighter, what can actually use heavy armours. There is no point to use those skill except for fun and because has notting else in correct levels.

I think development team should check the PvE damage done in same time with different weapons, so that they all would be usefull, not some fun toys as been social part of team.

[norvic]

http://www.ryzom.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26417

See above Rangefight is on the Devs radar.

Ranged can be hard but I still think, even as it is, its the most fun and rewarding skill in the game.

PvE at low levels can be hard but its not by any means useless I got too between 150 and 200 before Babette was born virtually solo and as a team member you can play a usefull role.

Would urge any neophyte Range fighter to stick with it, I am sure there are many peeps around who can answer questions but please feel free to PM me about ranged questions I dont pretend to know everything but I have been doing it as a main skill over 2 years now so will try to help.

Also (hope you dont mind ) Aajolea, Sehraci, Rolland and Final would be good contacts to pester.

[sehracii]

Also (hope you dont mind ) Aajolea, Sehraci, Rolland and Final would be good contacts to pester.

Don't mind at all

And agree fully with your post. Ranged is more complex and takes extra effort, but it can be effective and very fun.

[wardone]

currently lvl 100 rifle and its fun
and to think i said i would never bother with range lol

my fave aspect is the fact u can still move while attacking if u see someone running in circles with cloppers chasing him that will be me

[londaran]

I have a question about ranged weapon crafting. Is the only stat that really matters speed? The mats have all sorts of stats, but the only ones that seem to actualy affect the finished product are sap load, speed, and range. Ammo is similar. Damage and lightness are all that matters.