PPCs and ERPPCs right now seem like rather awkward weapons. The slowdown to projectile speeds have created a weapon that people are still trying to figure out how to use.
Furthermore, in the ERPPC's case, its now a weapon which has conflicting attributes; why have a long ranged weapon, if the projectile is so slow it'll be unlikely to hit its target anyway.
Suggested solution:
Change the weapons further, giving each a distinct niche, which will actually let them be used more.
Actual mechanic changes:
For the PPC, first off, remove the minimum range. Then reduce its range to 400/800. Reduce speed further to 750ms. Reduce heat cost to 8.
This will turn the PPC into a mid range brawling weapon.
For the ERPPC, give it a charge mechanic like the Gauss Rifle, but slightly different. When you click, the ERPPC will charge for 0.5 seconds, then automatically fire.
Increase the ERPPC projectile speed back to 1500.
The ERPPC will then return to being a viable long range weapon. If the charge mechanic proves too easy to time with gauss, increase it to 1 second accordingly and see what the result is, or alternatively reduce the projectile speed slightly.
Feel free to leave your comments, these are just thoughts off the top of my head, which I thought would at least make these two weapons which are in an awkward place at the moment somewhat usable again.
Edited by Valore, 10 October 2014 - 07:42 AM.