Soup's on, but who's cooking it?

[greatcleavage]

[After a productive day out in the fields earning money, Roy heads back down the streets of Mac Anu, his arms laden with sacks and piled high with -- groceries. Did he really expect to eat them all by himself? Of course not -- he had guild members to feed!]

[But the fighter Edge Punisher had a faint frown on his face as he made his way carefully to the @Home...]

I hope someone can figure out some way to cook all of this...

Comments

[tank_sniper]

Once you fire your first shot, you've marked your location. And because of the way the system works, all bullet paths are shown with a red line; the snipers' advantage is, for that first shot, there is no line.

I can usually fire off two shots before my opponent can get their bearings, but it's hard to keep it up once they know where you are. After that point, there's really no reason to stick around if you can help it.

[greatcleavage]

While they're traveling to the start of that line, can't you move to a different location and shoot from there? Or is there no real provision for swift, stealthy movement?

[tank_sniper]

It's possible. If you can't kill someone in one hit, that's usually what you have to do. But if they're on the alert, it can be a lot harder to find an opportunity to shoot again without being noticed, especially if the terrain isn't favorable.

[greatcleavage]

That seems discouraging on both sides... either you drop them instantly before they can react, or you have a very poor chance of survival if you don't.

[tank_sniper]

[She shrugs.]

Snipers aren't very common anyway. A lot of people aren't up for taking the risk.

[greatcleavage]

Is it really that much of a risk, if you're good? Or is the process of getting good too frustrating?

[tank_sniper]

Most people just have trouble dealing with the sniping system itself, since you have to be able to shoot accurately based on the beating of your heart.

I don't.

[greatcleavage]

Is that just because of the slight vibrations caused by the heartbeat, or is this some insane mechanic I'm afraid to ask about?

[tank_sniper]

A little bit of both. The scope for the sniper rifle displays a circle indicating approximately where you'll hit, and the precision gets better between beats. You have to be able to stay calm and time your shots based on that.

[greatcleavage]

Hmm. Wouldn't it be better to work on boosting your Constitution, then, and consequently reduce the number of beats per minute? I'm sure there's a point of diminishing returns, but even so there has to be a breakpoint that makes it easier by far.

[tank_sniper]

Even in-game stats won't affect my actual heartbeat.

[greatcleavage]

But superior physical health and condition inherently leads to increased cardiovascular health...