In order to repopulate the gunning crowd, I am going to emphasize the viable use of guns among new players.
Guns at first seem to have a big disadvantage: Unavailability. You do not get any piercing damage dealing gun below 3 star versions (200 energy to craft gun), as well our armor does not begin until 3 star versions.
In addition to unavailability, you first set eyes on many wolves. It is just by nature that you feel more secure to get wolver armor as most do, and go swordsman. Doing this, you may actually prefer the playstyle of a gunner or a bomber instead without knowing it. This was the case with me: I am scarred from playing swordsman when I began.
The goal of picking up a gun is just to try it out. Find out what you like about guns, find out what you do not. I suggest you try bombs as well, but this thread is specifically to emphasize guns.
The gun gameplay itself is perfectly viable: You can defeat everything in this game purely with guns (One issue you may have is soloing shadow lairs with guns, but those are usually done in groups and are endgame). I have myself, and I am by no means some very skilled player.
Here is how this thread works. You post answering a few questions that are below. Every day, I will write down the names of everyone that has posted and pick by random 2 people + and give them the gun that they wanted. The reason I added the "+" is because I will occasionally have days where I have extra giveaways, as well as special giveaways.
The normal gun giveaway is a 2 star alchemer of your choice. It is, on average, 2 given away per day to anyone who posts below answering the questions. Everyone's name will be on a list and I will choose at random. Once you have been chosen, I will send you your alchemer by mail so there is no need to ever return to this thread. You will be on the list for the drawing forever until you get your alchemer. There are no one time winners / losers.
Special giveaways might be something like a Magnus or a Needle Shot, or some other 3 or 4 star gun. Even if your name is crossed off from receiving your alchemer, you will be in the drawing for every single special giveaway that you have not received yet. Other special giveaways may include 10 alchemers in one day, etc.
Here are the 2 star alchemer guns that you have a chance at getting every day:
1. Shadowtech Alchemer - This is a shadow damage dealing gun. It is more effective against Gremlins and Slimes compared to other guns due to the shadow damage it deals. If you are going to be a pure gunner, having a shadow gun around is helpful and necessary.
2. Prismatech Alchemer - This is an elemental damage dealing gun. It is more effective against Constructs and Undead compared to other guns due to the elemental damage it deals. If you are going to use any gun, an elemental gun is highly suggested as it is a popular sidearm for swordsman or bombers alike. Elemental guns are extremely useful for taking out turrets, which is why many people will carry one around.
Other elemental alchemers:
3. Firotech Alchemer - Same as Prismatech Alchemer, except that it sacrifices damage for the chance to cause the fire status. You will need to be careful when using this gun, because you can encounter an Oiler. This is a slime that will heal and drop lit oil, as well as gain elemental defense, if you cause the fire status against it.
4. Voltech Alchemer - Same as Prismatech Alchemer, except that it sacrifices damage for the chance to cause the shock status. You will need to be careful when using this gun, because you can enounter a Quicksilver. This is a slime that will heal and dart around enraged, dealing damage to anything it touches, if you cause the shock status against it.
5. Cryotech Alchemer - Same as Prismatech Alchemer, except that it sacrifices damage for the chance to cause the freeze status. You do not need to be careful about specific monsters when using this gun, but keep in mind that it can refreeze ice cubes. If an ice cube is in its normal state and nothing has applied fire to it, then it makes no difference at all and you should not worry about using a cryotech alchemer against it.
Background of Alchemers: These guns can be upgraded into 5 star versions, being loyal and useful for the entire duration that you play this game so should you choose to keep them around. Personally as a gunner, I almost always carry around my alchemers: Shadowtech and Cryotech as well as Prismatech lines. When you first acquire this 2 star gun, you will notice that its bullets travel very slowly and there is not much to it. Once it is upgraded into its 3 star Mk II versions, it will increase in bullet velocity as well as add a bullet that splits off from original bullets.
>>>>>>Questions<<<<<<
Answer the questions below after reading my post to receive a free alchemer gun. The questions below serve as the purpose of a quick survey.
1. When did you start playing Spiral Knights?
2. What is some of the 2 star + gear that you have?
3. Did you first start using a sword, gun, or bomb?
4. Optional Question: Do you play for free, or do you pay on occasion?
5. Do you use Steam?
6. Are you looking for a guild?
7. Which alchemer, after reading through the brief descriptions that I gave you above, would you prefer me to send you if you win the drawing? Remember that you will be on the list for the drawing forever until you receive an alchemer.
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You receive your gun via mail, so you never have to return to this thread after posting for the chance at the special giveaways or just your alchemer.
1. When did you start playing Spiral Knights?
-Early February, can't remember exact date
2. What is some of the 2 star + gear that you have?
-Wolver Coat, Magic Hood, Spiral Demo Helm, Flourish, Calibur, Blaster, Prismatech, Shadowtech Mk II, Blast Bomb, Spine Cone, Freezing Vaporiser, Plate Shield, Owlite Shield (some other stuff from the rewards as well)
3. Did you first start using a sword, gun, or bomb?
-Sword/gun, although I want to go into bombing and am practising with a Blast Bomb as well as a Spine Cone and Freezing Vaporiser.
4. Optional Question: Do you play for free, or do you pay on occasion?
-Did pay once because of the temptingness of having the shiny 3* Shadowtech Mk II ;o; Not paying regularly though.
5. Do you use Steam?
-No.
6. Are you looking for a guild?
-Not at the moment.
7. Which alchemer, after reading through the brief descriptions that I gave you above, would you prefer me to send you if you win the drawing?
-Firotech, because setting stuff on fire is ALWAYS cool.