So, I’ve been trying to use this weapon for awhile, and it seems really cool in its design. Problem is, I don’t really know exactly HOW to use this weapon. From a glance, it seems like your typical shotgun type weapon with its energy projectiles fanning out that can change its modes to a more vertical slicing motion. I’ve seen some instances where it seems to do some decent damage against vehicles, but against players, it feels like the damage is inconsistent with how many shots it takes to down a player.
Does anybody have any advice on how to bring out the best in this weapon?
Your effectiveness with the heatwave is all about how accurate you are with the weapon, use practice range a lot, get used to it.
Its typically best to use vertical for mid range, then use horizontal for short range. Lots of pros use it as a noob combo mid range, try to poke for damage then clean up with BR.
As soon as you pick it up, press your “zoom” button to change it to the vertical reticle. From there, make sure that your shots are accurate and just go around blasting anyone within short to mid range.
I don’t bother with the horizontal reticle and haven’t found a use for it yet other than trying to damage multiple targets at longer range.
I personally use it in a vertical config for ideally landing all shots on target if I can help it. Definitely a shotgun, so close range is your best best for pure killing power, but it’s got very friendly lead prediction so using it at mid ranges can also work well, I’ve even gotten some admittedly lucky success at long range too.
Horizontally it can be used as area denial, bouncing shots off walls and keeping the opposing players from pushing into places you don’t want them to be in.
Oh completely forgot about this one. It’s not the best against vehicles, but it can absolutely cause some damage if you land some decent shots. I could be wrong but I think it also penetrates through players/vehicles.
As others have said in a 1 on 1 the alt fire ‘vertical’ mode is going to be your best bet but the standard ‘horizontal’ mode can work well when facing multiple enemies especially in tighter spaces.
Horizontal is also good if you’re trying to poke/chase around a corner. You get a wider spread and a better chance of finishing a lower health target with a ricochet that way.
The vertical fire for the Heatwave, is all about doing max damage. Two clean shots on a player and you can vaporize them. The horizontal fire is more for vehicle and crowd control or more efficient bank shotting off of surfaces.
If you practice a little bit, you can get good with bouncing the Heatwave projectiles down hallways or off of walls to get to enemies trying to hide or run away.
Same, horizontal only for when I don’t know exactly where the enemy is and I’m spraying around a corner to follow up a kill or to do some splash damage on approaching enemies.
I think it’s mostly for hitting multiple people or people that have the height advantage above you. Other wise yeah, you’ll want to stick to vertical mode on this gun majority of the time.
vertical is your best bet, but horizontal does come in handy when you know they’re 1 shot as its much easier to hit with horizontal. also ricochet kills are much easier with horizontal.
I’ve actually found it’s almost always best to use the vertical fire against other foot soldiers regardless of range, and horizontal fire against vehicles. Horizontal fire is also pretty good if you’re just trying to fill a room with projectiles to reset enemy shield recharge timers.
The cool thing about the heatwave is that it’s vertical projectile spread is the same from barrel to destination. So if you place your shot effectively enough you can hit with full damage at theoretically any range.
In practice though. I find it most effective for getting some big damage off at the start of a gunfight, and then switching to something more consistent to finish them off. Like my sidekick or BR.
it’s fairly powerful if you can aim 3+ bolts seem to kill I started by using only the verticle aim but I found the horizontal aim to be good for fast moving targets i have issues aiming at.
In terms of raw damage vertical is better yes, however it is very easy to miss a full spread when at close range due to strafing and/or thruster. Horizontal is much safer I’ve found.
