Gatling Gun ("GG") Review

I tested out the GG fairly significantly this last event (580k w/ a T1 rare, then a T1 epic) ... and I think it's a fun and unique addition to the game, but it could definitely use some work.


So, let's break it down ..


Stats w/ all perks and crew talents:
Max Epic -

• 137.3 × 15 = 2060

With legendary fire perk -

• 131.1 × 15 = 1966 w/out fire bonus
• 146.8 × 15 = 2202 w/ fire bonus*

*(Assuming it doesn't receive crew fire bonuses and is calculated like other fire damage)

• Cooldown: 7 seconds
• Range - 30.8 or 34.2 (w/ leg perk)
• Projectile speed - 38.5 or 43.5 (w/ leg perk)
• Spread - 3°
• Clip Size - 15

PROS:

• Smooth Mechanics
• Great Damage and Range
• Ignores Defense
• Fairly significant arc so waves aren't a huge issue.
• Global Cooldown doesn't reset GG
• 7-second Cooldown
• Potential Tshield counter (with all 15 shots)

The mechanics are smooth. I like how the global cooldown starts on your other weapons but not on GG (if you only fire a few shots), so you're free to fire the rest as soon as you want.

The stats on paper look great .. a high base damage, longer range, fairly accurate gun with quick projectile speed and one of the shortest cooldowns in the game .. it sounds almost too good to be true.

... But, there are a few cons too.


CONS:

• Cycle Rate - almost 4 seconds to unload clip plus the global cooldown
• The cycle rate plus the 7 second cooldown makes the actual cooldown closer to 11 seconds.
• 3° spread appears to affect even single shots
• Camera Zoom

I think the biggest issue here is the cycle rate. The slow cycle alone will prevent it from becoming popular with many ships and players.

At nearly 4 seconds plus GC, your opponent could return 3-4 shots in the time it takes to unload the clip. Likewise, those 4-5 seconds are a long time to be sitting exposed (or driving in a straight line), on top of the time it takes for your camera to return to normal (after being zoomed in).

The GG 3° spread is logical - with full auto recoil - but it shouldn't affect single shots at nearly the same level (if at all).


How would the GG work on different ships?

Enfo - While technically a GG/grenade combo could give you more DPS than the Flare/BC, I don't see many Enfos giving up their two or three quick shot power for something that conflicts with their flare and has a long cycle. Likewise, the fire damage bonus is simply too good to pass up right now..

See Fire Bonus Issues here: https://forum.battlebay.net/threads/fire-calculations-or-perks-percents-need-adjustments.22112/

Speeder - The slow cycle rate would leave them exposed for far too long, so I don't see this working well.

Defender - The short cooldown, longer range would give Defenders more versatility than a Flare/EC combo, while allowing them to pop TSs. With dual GGs, defenders could keep an almost constant stream of fire going. I could see it working here.

Fixer - While the GG could work here, I'm guessing many fixers would prefer the one-shot cannon for speeder defense over the slow cycle rate of the GG - since it would take too much time away from fixing.

Shooter - As much as I liked using it on my shooter, it's the cycle rate (again) that's simply too slow to ever make it in the normal line up. I was giving up 2-3 other shots every time I unloaded the GG.




Overall, I had a blast using it .. and might again one day (after I can level it higher than T1).

But, I would suggest cutting the cycle rate in half (or more) to the point where the full automatic actually feels like a full automatic. The zoom speed after firing could also be a little snappier. And, the 3° spread should be adjusted to only happen at full auto, rather than single tap shots.

As far as a wish list goes... you would see a much higher usage rate if the GG did double damage to Tshields. I could justify taking it on more ships if that were the case. Also, it is a little bothersome unloading the last 2-3 rounds into a wall to ensure it reloads fully - so a slower, passive reload could be an alternative to half used clips (e.g., 1 round reloads every 3 seconds).

It can't hurt to dream, right...?

 

I'd like to add that the real dps value of the gat gun, is significantly lower than the shown value. This is because the stated dps doesn't take the unloading time of the 15 shots into calculation, but assumes it starts to reload after firing a single shot. Its true dps value is further reduced by rising waves which blocks / interrupts your shots.

 

Good point. I didn't think of it in those terms.

If it takes 4 seconds to start reloading (from the first shot of a full auto barrage) plus the 7 second cooldown, the actual cooldown would be closer to 11 seconds.

I'll edit and rethink a few points.

 

Nothing says GG better to the other team than a huge defender with 3 gattling guns.

 

It sucks.

 

you really Hate TS lol. Since your opinion is biased I cant accept it.

 

To be fair, a bubble shield and defense have the same purpose ... so it would be more balanced to ignore both rather than one ... But, they're more likely to remove all weapons from red and blue boats than mess with TSs, so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

I want the ability to turn off the zoom!!!! Otherwise I like the weapon (I lucked out and got a legendary)

 

I love running my T3 rare gat in the events, it's not quite up to where I need it to be for ranked though