Nemein
Game Owner
 Mass Effect
Joined: 29 May 2008 |
 Posted: Saturday, 24 October 2009 03:15AM |
Well, I saw a topic on this awhile back, but forum won't let me resurrect it; so here's a new topic.
I'm playing a Vanguard with Singularity. I DON'T plan to make this a Game+ character, so I'm putting about 6 points into Intimidate. I'm just debating with this sunken in if I should still use the Shotgun.
I've played characters with both maxed out, and can honestly say I think the pistol with 2 scram rails and master marksman beats the shotgun for damage per second any day. I mean, I can kill destroyers in less than 2 seconds on Hardcore. I get this same damage output consistently over 20 seconds. Impossible to do with shotgun.
So just want to hear your opinions. What are your experiences with the two weapons? Is there a point in getting the shotgun at all when it is being outperformed so badly? |
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caradoc2000
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
Jade Empire
Jade Empire:SE
Mass Effect
Joined: 15 Jul 2005 |
Posted: Saturday, 24 October 2009 03:21AM |
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IMO, shotgun is more a "fun weapon" - for power builds I use pistol. |
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IccaRa
Game Owner
 NWN
Mass Effect
Joined: 02 May 2009
From: Thane's hat |
Posted: Saturday, 24 October 2009 05:30AM |
Depends on your preference, and if you want to play with the "most optimal" weapon or simply the "most fun/fitting" weapon for your Shepard.
I like the comforting kick of a shotgun, so my Singularity Vanguard Shock Trooper specialized in those.
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Quote: Posted 10/12/09 05:32 (GMT) by Stanley Woo IccaRa is also fired. Out of a cannon. Into the sun. 
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Prolefeed
Game Owner
 Mass Effect
Joined: 05 May 2009 |
Posted: Saturday, 24 October 2009 12:22PM |
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Do you like to get really close when you fight people? If yes, the higher probability of knocking an opponent down with the shotgun would probably be good to have. If you prefer to fight from behind cover, or at a distance from your opponent then the pistol would probably be better, particularly with it's better accuracy. |
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LuminousLupine
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 29 Mar 2003 |
Posted: Saturday, 24 October 2009 01:37PM |
The shotgun is fun up close when I use 'shock' tactics for my Vanguard/Shock Trooper. The pistol doesn't do the damage a assault rifle can, nor does it have the range or accuracy of a sniper rifle.
It can however put more rounds on target at range faster and longer then the assault rifle or sniper rifle. With the marksman and fewer heat resisting mods as the assault rifle it can also fire almost non-stop, which leaves room for damage mods.
The assault rifle blooms too fast and overheats quickly, even though it has a higher damage profile it doesn't have the endurance to keep up at range. The Sniper rifle doesn't shoot that fast. So I actually prefer the pistol for most of my work.
When things do get close enough to justify using an assault rifle, it's usually easier to switch to a shotgun and exploit a vanguard/shock trooper's ability to move up.
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Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth...Edited By LuminousLupine on 10/24/09 13:38 |
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infinite bias
Game Owner
 Mass Effect
Joined: 19 Sep 2009 |
Posted: Saturday, 24 October 2009 11:47PM |
Personally I think the two overlap too much to to justify maxing out both skills.
For most engagements in mass effect a shotgun has more than enough range especially when you get the spectre shotgun.
Playing as a vanguard I find myself using the shotgun almost exclusively, barrier + running closer if targets are too far and only switching to pistol when sabotage is used against me.
What you choose depends on your playstyle and whether you want optimal damage or not but note that the shotgun requires more points to max out (the six points in pistols to unlock shotguns + 12 points to max out shotguns) |
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Nemein
Game Owner
Mass Effect
Joined: 29 May 2008 |
Posted: Sunday, 25 October 2009 12:48AM |
Yeah, I guess in the end it boils down to using the shotgun because it is fun to use. It is like taking on a weakness for the sake of playstyle. It is very hard to stick with the shotgun on Insanity - they don't do enough damage for one or two hit kills, making close-quarter fighting somewhat suicidal.
Maybe it gets better at later levels with better equipment, but starting on Insanity, I find I can't just rush in with guns blazing. |
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LuminousLupine
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 29 Mar 2003 |
Posted: Sunday, 25 October 2009 01:46PM |
That's one reason I prefer the pistol. "You can put more rounds on target at range." My two cents on using the shotgun when over matched or out gunned, isn't to kill something. Let you're squad mates do that. Use the shotgun to rush someone, send them running out of cover and quickly retreat.
That way your squad mates can do the killing, the enemy can't make effective use of cover, and you affectively have control of the field.
While they're running out and back into cover because you just appeared behind them you're squad has a clear shot. Because you have control of the field, or at least more so, they can't bunch up or easily outflank you; So, you can pick them off in small groups.
Trust me, I like Bio-Ware, but they didn't build the AI or levels to resist shock tactics. They're both build with the idea of you just taking cover and slowly advancing like a sane little soldier.
What's more, and the reason why I maxed the pistol skill and only put enough into shotgun for carnage: The pistol can be accurate at range. Not sniper rifle accurate or powerful, but it shoots a great deal faster. So you can pick things off behind cover that you couldn't with a assault rifle. Letting you control the battle field all the more, and pick off the small groups.
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Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth...Edited By LuminousLupine on 10/25/09 13:48 |
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andrewv42
Game Owner
 Mass Effect
Joined: 21 Mar 2008 |
Posted: Sunday, 25 October 2009 05:10PM |
Quote: I think the pistol with 2 scram rails and master marksman beats the shotgun for damage per second any day. I mean, I can kill destroyers in less than 2 seconds on Hardcore.
With carnage, my shotgun can kill that destroyer in an instant. |
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Permutation
Game Owner
 SW: KotOR Xbox
SW: KotOR PC
Jade Empire
Mass Effect
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
From: NGC 6611 |
Posted: Sunday, 25 October 2009 05:38PM |
My character is an Adept, so I pretty much stick with pistols. My current configuration:
HMWP X - Master Class Spectre Pistol
Frictionless Materials X - Mod 1
Frictionless Materials X - Mod 2
High Explosive Rounds X - Ammo
I can take down just about any Geth or organic in 2-3 shots, with the exception of high-level Krogan and Geth, which typically require 5-6 shots w/shields. |
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infinite bias
Game Owner
Mass Effect
Joined: 19 Sep 2009 |
Posted: Sunday, 25 October 2009 07:33PM |
Master marksman with the commando specialization's 25% recharge reduction will allow you to keep marksman up AT ALL TIMES. The dps output of master marksmen the highest in game.
Carnage may do more concentrated damage but once you stop one hitting enemies it quickly loses its appeal. Whatever tactics work well with a shotgun will work equally well or better with biotics. The pistol and sniper rifle are the only weapons needed in Mass Effect. |
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Nemein
Game Owner
Mass Effect
Joined: 29 May 2008 |
Posted: Sunday, 25 October 2009 08:24PM |
Quote: Posted 10/25/09 17:10 (GMT) by andrewv42
With carnage, my shotgun can kill that destroyer in an instant.
Not on Insanity. And not if there are 3 rushing you at once - you can't carnage more than twice in a short period. Marksman will last you the whole battle.
Quote: Posted 10/25/09 19:33 (GMT) by infinite bias
Master marksman with the commando specialization's 25% recharge reduction will allow you to keep marksman up AT ALL TIMES. The dps output of master marksmen the highest in game.
Yeah, that was the build that made me realize just what a monster the pistol is. A shotgun isn't as useful or fun when you can't kill enemies in 2-3 hits on Insanity; biotics end up doing a much better job in shock tactics (lift + throw combo never gets old). I remember 2 characters that have singularity - the pistol user kills anything floating around before they hit the floor; shotgun carnage may take out one or two at once, but never a complete annihilation. |
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mattflemz
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR Xbox
Jade Empire
Mass Effect
Joined: 26 Oct 2005 |
Posted: Monday, 26 October 2009 12:53AM |
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Being an infilitrator I naturally prefer the pistol for close in work. I do occaisionally use the shotgun and love the sound and feel of it. |
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MEaholic
Game Owner
Mass Effect
Joined: 16 Jan 2009 |
Posted: Monday, 26 October 2009 05:36AM |
im sure you already know the functions of a pistol and a shotgun. hopefully your also aware of the fact that the pistol is the best DPSer with master marksman activated. so we dont need to get into that.
other then player preference, the shotgun can still be used effectively with 0 points put into it, while the pistol is still functional, but nowhere near as deadly as a maxed pistol. youll lose out on carnage, but carnage has some bugs and its just too slow moving and hard to aim and make contact with enemies. heck in my opinion the sniper rifle serves as a better all around weapon then the shotty. the sniper can easily be used like a shotgun in close quarters combat. easily. try it if you dont beleive me.
a one playthrough shepard wont have alot of points available to them so sticking with one weapon while you level up your other abilities would be a good idea.
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protectthegasbags.com |
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ParagonVanguard
Joined: 13 Nov 2008
From: Edinburgh, Scotland |
Posted: Monday, 26 October 2009 07:12PM |
Being a Vanguard myself, the only weapons I could use were pistols and shotguns, and I modded them. I had the pistol doing more damage to organics and the shotgun doing more damage to synthetics. In short, I use the pistol on organic beings and the shotgun on the Geth.
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"This universe is vast and to survive, we will have to face Sovegren togeather!" Gavin Shepard, Commander of the SSV Normandy. |
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