I'm somewhat new to the game, I use all guns, and I want to know what Alchemy line I should start now to have an effective shadow damage weapon once I'm up to five stars. I'm looking at Biohazard(Catalyzer) and Umbra Driver(Shadowtech Alchemer) right now. Which one should I choose? Should I be looking at Sentenza? I'm also doing the same with elemental damage. I'm looking at Polaris(Pulsar). Is that useful? Should I stick with the Prismatech Alchemer I have right now?
Shadow and Elemental damage handgun Alchemy lines
Tue, 07/03/2012 - 20:49
Tue, 07/03/2012 - 21:56
#2
...
Try them out, use what you like. As long as you're using not-normal guns, you'll do fine. Ah, that doesn't include plague needle. So useless.
Personally, I'm a big fan of alchemers. I don't really like any of the boss guns. Antiguas are boring and force you to stand there and spam. The catalyzer charge mechanic is tedious, and I don't think they're all that good. Pulsars makes things easier for the user( like the game isn't easy enough already) but the knock back messes with your damage and your teammates.
Tue, 07/03/2012 - 22:11
#3
Each shadow handgun type, and
Each shadow handgun type, and by extension most handguns, have different purposes they're tailored for and ultimately perform extremely well in. The primary exception is Valiance, which can be quite literally used for anything.
As a general breakdown:
Antigua line (AP/Sentenza) handguns are best suited for making quick shots at things, such as breathing zombies or retreating Thwackers, or sniping enemies who abuse distance, like Kats and Gremlin Demos. Antiguas also excel in mobile, consistent single-target DPS without any fancy gun switching, just mash attack until something dies.
The main attraction of an Alchemer is the charge, which is used primarily to eliminate or heavily damage a crowd of enemies, or deal a large amount of damage to a single target. An Alchemer charge will destroy a crowd of zombies, gremlins, slimes, depending on what you're shooting at. The bullets move at medium-fast speed, which will induce Gremlins to dodge, but also split. With a technique known as gun-swapping, you can actually achiever higher mobile DPS than an Antigua line, but you'll need at least 2 Alchemers to gun-swap effectively. Prismatech becomes absurdly powerful at higher levels, a charge attack will more or less annihilate anything vulnerable to Elemental damage.
Pulsar series are best used as utility weapons, to give you and your party breathing space in the event of a sudden incursion of enemies in your face. Polaris is better at shutting down turrets, due to the elemental damage and shock status, while Supernova is better to keep enemies in general away from you. Both can and will piss off swordsmen in the party, so if you get a Pulsar, use it sparingly.
There's more crap that I don't feel like writing unless you really ask me. I'm no professional gunner, so you might want to consult another person for a better opinion.
Tue, 07/03/2012 - 22:18
#4
@Shenny Thanks, I'm thinking
@Shenny Thanks, I'm thinking Umbra given my play style.
@Atacii I'll check out the Pulsar-- if nothing else, it's looks sweet.
@Artifice Who would I ask to learn how to gun-swap, and does the Biohazard have much the same purpose as the Polaris?
Tue, 07/03/2012 - 23:03
#5
swaps, double
swaps, double swaps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4F0TNTbJvY
double swap cancels only require 1 attack weapon, so you only need 1 alchemer.
Wed, 07/04/2012 - 05:02
#6
Gunslinger Guide
Since you didn't mention it, maybe you haven't read the Gunslinger Guide on the wiki? Give it a look. Also search the forums for "Ask a Master Gunslinger Anything". Over the year(s) there have been several threads with titles like that. Some are good, some are old, etc.
Sat, 07/07/2012 - 23:02
#7
I'm going to stick with the
I'm going to stick with the Nova/Umbra Drivers, and see how that goes.
Sun, 07/08/2012 - 05:23
#8
both awesome
I'm going to stick with the Nova/Umbra Drivers, and see how that goes.
Those are both awesome guns, so it should go quite well. Good luck.
Each gun type has a different playstyle, if you like quick-pew-pew-pew go with Sentenza, if you like pew-pew-charge-spamming go with Umbra, if you like patiently-charge-spamming-to-get-a-big-boom go with Biohazard. Polaris plays similarly to Biohazard in that you get explosions but without the charge spam. Also look into Argent Peacemaker for the same quick-pew-pew-pew as Sentenza.