questions about ranged combat

[trueshot]

if you want to get rid of meks, then guild hall access in op's should be removed as well, same concept, just a different mechanic

[final60]

you need multiple auto-/launchers to call them overpowered. both guns also need targets close by (auto- needs them to be perfectly behind you first target, for launcher they just need to be close to target) and targets need to wear light armor...

Just to add
They use different "area of effect" types. The launcher uses the "Bomb" effect which effects up to 8 targets in a 360 degree radius, with the power of the explosion diminishing the further away from the main target the effect spreads. The Autolauncher uses the "ricochet" effect which effects up to 8 targets if they are within 4 meters of the main target and within a 45 degree radius of the main target. The power of the bullets diminish after each ricochet.

[setstyle]

As someone who get pounded by launchers rather often, I don't feel they should be nerfed at all. AoE guns are challenging to level and take lots of effort to keep supplied with ammo; naturally the benefits should reflect that effort.

The packer problem, though, definitely needs to be addressed. What if tagged mektoubs weren't vulnerable to damage, but afflictions instead? You could root one in place, fear it away from the OP temporarily... would offset the recent affliction nerf, at least.

[vonzuben]

Guns are silly and for boys!

[killgore]

Affy's used to be effective against rangers til the devs"fixed"them. No need to nerf range just put affys back to their old way.

[sidusar]

All Mektoubs that are brought along would be killed on sight and the weapon would be almost useless again, after a few shots.
But don´t forget that you´d "only" made the shooter less mobile, for he could still get his ammo from the dead beasts.

That's exactly the idea. The shooter would then be either limited in a small circle around the dead packer, or have to run back to the packer to get new ammo after a few shots. Either way, the launcher would still be very powerful, just not 'overpowered' as in 'beats every other skill by default'. The shooter would have to decide based on the situation whether to run back for ammo or switch to another skill, rather than 'launcher is always best'.

As someone who get pounded by launchers rather often, I don't feel they should be nerfed at all.

I agree. Along with the announcement of those "Special Ammos" a while back was an announcement that launchers would be changed so that they could only be used while standing still, and the shooting action could be interrupted. I'd hate to see them nerfed in such a way.

The Autolauncher uses the "ricochet" effect which effects up to 8 targets

The Autolauncher actually uses the "spray" effect, which has no diminish in power for secondary targets. Both Launcher and Autolauncher can effect up to 6 targets only.

Affy's used to be effective against rangers til the devs"fixed"them. No need to nerf range just put affys back to their old way.

*cheers* It's been over half a year, when are we going to hear some hint what the plans for afflies are?

[petersk]

One possible solution for people complaining about launchers and such being over powered is really quite simple. Don't punish the player who spent a LOT of time leveling the skill, they worked hard to get there. Instead, in the instance of OP battles, only allow one tagged toon from any given account. By this I mean, and I am assuming this next point, people who dual box may have different e-mails/accounts but they have one payment source for those accounts. Make it so only one toon from one bank account/credit card source on ANY account can be tagged for an OP battle. If that is done, even if they use their ranger in the battle, it would at least take away their slave healer/AoD or whatever... Thus reducing the number of participants to the more realistic number of real life people who participate in the battle. Just my 2 dapper..... *waits for the flames to erupt*

btw.. i am in no way saying slaves arent to be used in game, just not in OP's....

[trueshot]

this solution does not work, because it keep married couples or peoples children from playing and participating in an op at the same time. Thus causing people to leave the game.

[petersk]

this solution does not work, because it keep married couples or peoples children from playing and participating in an op at the same time. Thus causing people to leave the game.

Good point...