Won't stop 'em. You know this; I know this. Expecting them to know this, and better yet, ACT on (or rather NOT act on it) is an exercise in futility. :D
More like a change in management is what causes major changes. Case in point, 40k. Its like night and day with how the game is being handle now vs just a few years ago.
Having an exclusive weapon for Pano would be cool ! (even if more of a dream, but a nightmare for our enemies! ) It could be something simple like a multi-hmg and multi-spitfire on our HI and MI etc... I would want a new gun maybe like so: Range: 0-8”—8-16”—16-32”—32-40”-40-48” =========================== -6.........0............+3..........-3........-6 Dam 16, B 2, Ammo. DA+Fire Name: Hyper-Firecannon
If we're inventing weapons that would fit in PanO: Multi Spitfire is obvious Assault shotgun, basically Boarding Shotgun with burst 3/4 Automatic Grenade Launcher; +3/8-24, Burst 3, DAM 13, Round Template Multi Grenade Launcher; LGL with either AP, Shock or Stun ammo. Incendiary Rifle; Marksman Rifle ranges, Burst 2, DAM 14, AP+Fire ammo. Smart Ammo; ignores cover bonus to ARM (think next gen programable ammo from XM25). edit: (yeah, that should be automatic GL, thanks Section).
No, like an impact template weapon without any template. Could be pretty cheap, actually. Or combine with other ammo types. Hell, they deserve one as well.
PanO should probably get a special unique TAG weapon, If we're going to be in flavor with the army. The Hypertech-Gorgas Gatling Cannon 0-8.......8-16.......16-32.......32-48 0..........+3...........+3.............-3..... Full-Auto mode: B5 AP+Shock "Superiority" mode: B1 EXP
There's good opportunity in new tech to really make use of the Targeted state. We all know that Forward Observers don't get used too much for actually marking targets. But if we could apply the Targeted state in other ways, like an ammunition type that applies the Targeted state in any target it hits. I think there was talk about modern paint grenades a while back too... A blast or template weapon that Targeted whatever it hit, prevented them from Recamoing, etc. Whatever the case, I'd be much happier if new tools/weapons worked within the confines of existing rules. We already have a ton of amazing ammunition types and PanO concepts that are under-utilized, in my opinion: Auxbot types, Targeted, Adhesive, E/M2. There's a lot of design space available that doesn't require tacking on new rules.
Isn’t K1 more of a xenotech thing? I mean, it would be cool but I fear we would be shafted with a K1 sniper before watching Nomads get a K1 combi. As for ammo types, I agree we should see a better variety like how Shock seems to be a big Varuna thing. Having Molotoks, ap and breaker ammo a bit more liberal would help. Or just spam us with smgs.
I think cheap MULTIRifles on our MI would make a lot of sense. Advanced, expensive rifles given to heavily equipped infantry. If there were a multi-burst Grenade Launcher or high-burst Shotgun, I'd want to give it to MAF. They need more destructive stuff - particularly indiscriminate weapons and templates.
So why isn't PanO armed to the teeth? The short answer is game balance/faction character. The more involved BS/made up stuff to justify the current status? PanO has chosen to focus on the basics. Their training, and their combat software assistance is specialized to improve performance on a basic set of equipment. The result is an approximately 5% increase in efficiency across the board. Sure they could produce more exotic and varied equipment. However training their troops to use all those different types of guns would result in a greater breadth of skill, but less depth. Also having a small selection of available weaponry greatly simplifies the supply chain, a huge boost for a superpower that has so much territory to defend.
Which is obviously beyond capabilities of professional army. That's why you see some half trianed mooks running with hi-tech weapons like E/Marats or some human mutants being given E/M CCW ^^ Which is for sure big problem to the Human Sphere biggest arm manufacturer/supplier ^^
I would strongly agree with @barakiel . Making PanO use more of Targeted state and shooting assistance to "win even harder" is a good way. Onyx/CA has some scary weapons (it terms of damage potential), having a link be able to easily force 6 ARM rolls without allowing cover benefits and always making enemy roll on his "worse" arm type is really scary. Ariadna (TAK) doesn't give a damn about 2W (and amount of points it costs). I thing that it shouldn't be impossible for PanO (as Specnaz is 2% only behind Swiss in terms of shooting capabilities) to really "win even harder" with utilizing some "hi-tech" tricks to boost their chances of wounding enemy (for example using Targeted State). It shouldn't be that rare for PanO to have effective BS>20 if all stars align.
