First off, HEATWAVE GANG!!!
Ahem.
As it stands right now, the Heatwave has an optimal kill of 2 shots. But this is only true if all 12 of the Heatwave’s pellets hit the target. In other words, the player has to be PERFECT to get the optimal TTK. And considering the guns slow moving projectiles, that can be very hard to do.
What I want to propose is a compromise. I want to make the gun stronger with out raising it’s TTK.
Instead of needing 12 rounds to kill, change it 9. It’s still a 2 shot kill because it can only fire 6 at a time, but the margin of error increases, allowing for more opportunities. The gun is decent, but I feel that it can be a real terror to deal with, if it gets the proper treatment.
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I think it’s okay now, but I wouldn’t be opposed to having the more forgiving behavior you described. It’s a power weapon, so I don’t see a big problem buffing it. With the current map settings, it seems like 343i is treating the Bulldog and Heatwave as interchangeable. However, I think most people find it easier and more consistent to use the Bulldog. So yeah, again, given its position as a power weapon, I think buffing it would not be detrimental. It would be interesting to hear a multiplayer designer’s take on this. Obviously, they had some reasoning for the current behavior. I wonder if things have played out as they intended after seeing the game in millions of people’s hands.
I think it’s pretty fun how you have to make that decision when you engage with the Heatwave. Do I go for the vertical pattern for higher damage but more difficult to land? Or do I use the horizontal pattern for weaker damage that is more guaranteed?
It’s a fun little mechanic that is somewhat unique.
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Absolutely love the Heatwave. So unique and fun, I just don’t think it excelling enough for a tier 2 power weapon. I will say, it’s not a gun that one should use for the duration of a fight, it’s more of an Opener (Vertical Shot on an unsuspecting target then finish them with something else), Finisher (break shields with something else then Vertical shot to kill), or used in the middle of the fight to prevent shield recharge or put pressure on them.
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Works well against vehicle’s, I’ve found. Infantry, not so much
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I did notice Forerunner guns absolutely shred vehicles. Cool trait to give them IMO.
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Don’t you have to be perfect to get optimal ttk on pretty much every weapon?
Not every weapon has super slow projectiles. The main difference is that the Heatwave shoots multiple projectiles per trigger pull unlike most other guns. This gives it the rare opportunity to be buffed without actually changing its ttk. Also this somewhat improves its bouncing trait since chip damage is more substantial.