M79 - Weak or Balanced?

[STM1993]

I'd like to question if the M79 is actually a little weak or is balanced.

The M79 has low bullet speed, so it can arc and be used for angled shots. However, the bullet speed, being low, makes it quite easy to dodge the M79 unless you actually go kamikazee with it. Along with this, is the problem of bink and movementacc. Once shot, a well-aimed M79 shot that could have been a perfect angle for a certain non-kamikazee shot becomes completely thwarted, and players also have to stop moving as well to achieve this.

The M79 definitely needs a supportive weapon due to its long 3 second reload, so it cannot combat multiple widely spread out opponents. From what I see, players have to learn to scavenge weapons when using the M79 ; they need a proper weapon strong enough to combat other guns while buying enough time so that he can reload, choices are often a knife, a socom or a law, then they replace it with another primary picked up from the ground.

I think the reload is slightly slow but reasonable (so it doesn't need any change), but the most important point is about its accuracy. Also, why is it so unpopular in gathers, clan wars, etc when it is used so often for the ability to boost oneself to get flags quickly and escape quickly?

(Note: I play publics, a MP5-user, not a M79 fanatic, so I want to ask for opinions)

(Note 2: I am fully aware that people often complained because of M79's "gheyness" of killing in one shot and kamikazeeing)

[tacoterrorist]

The M79 has low bullet speed, so it can arc and be used for angled shots. However, the bullet speed, being low, makes it quite easy to dodge the M79 unless you actually go kamikazee with it.

While this is technically true, it does not happen in practice. Most M79ers will go low which is usually a confined area and/or stick to small closed off areas which restrict movement, making it very difficult to dodge an M79 bullet. In the open it is easy to dodge but in a confined area it is very difficult.

Along with this, is the problem of bink and movementacc. Once shot, a well-aimed M79 shot that could have been a perfect angle for a certain non-kamikazee shot becomes completely thwarted, and players also have to stop moving as well to achieve this.

Bink and movement acc don't have as much of an effect on the M79 as one would think. I have been one bullet away from killing an M79er only for them to turn around and shoot me accurately gaining an instant kill.

The M79 definitely needs a supportive weapon due to its long 3 second reload,

Reload is fairly short considering each shot can kill.

so it cannot combat multiple widely spread out opponents.

Which it shouldn't be able to do (I think you'd agree).

From what I see, players have to learn to scavenge weapons when using the M79 ; they need a proper weapon strong enough to combat other guns while buying enough time so that he can reload, choices are often a knife, a socom or a law, then they replace it with another primary picked up from the ground.

I don't think this is fair. It allows a missed m79 bullet (which still did damage) to be capitalised upon by allowing the user to finish his target with a pistol.

Also, why is it so unpopular in gathers, clan wars, etc when it is used so often for the ability to boost oneself to get flags quickly and escape quickly?

Most pubbers (or a lot anyway) care mostly only about their score and not about the grand scheme of things, i.e caps. It is easy for a low-skilled player to kill someone with an M79 but if you miss with it when flag defending you will probably not get a chance to fire on that EFC again.

[Platehead]

In my opinion M79 is very balanced -
It's got a versatile arc
It kills in one hit
It's good for people who like explosions =D
So the 3 second reload + moveacc is quite just
Plus, they are backed up by nades while reloading - so it's all good I reckon
Why it is so less used in gathers for boosting etc, I think, is because it is very easy to hurt yourself while boosting since the patch.
People in gathers can probably take you out easily with that health disadvantage
Also what taco said. xD
Also they cooperate better so you rarely face one opponent at a time - meaning you will probably lose.
That's just my opinion, I may be wrong, and I do use and like this weapon.

[STM1993]

Ohh I see...

So M79 is a actually a fairly accurate weapon that disallows missing, and considering its 1 hit kill explosive power, the reload, though enough time for any other gun to kill, is considered short enough. And it is highly terrain based (best in confined areas), built to slow or boost, kill single or multiple-grouped targets but not kill multiple spread out opponents or for large areas since its projectile is quite easy to dodge. At the same time, its slow projectile makes it versatile due to its arc.

Hmm, if bink and movementacc doesn't play much of a factor, I wonder what is the point in adding that +15 bink in M79 in the next version lol.

[InoX]

Actually ? overpowered. the " weak " made me laugh...
Just enter in a public server too see the m79 fest.

[mar77a]

Also, why is it so unpopular in gathers, clan wars, etc when it is used so often for the ability to boost oneself to get flags quickly and escape quickly?

It's popular.

[Ziem]

Also, why is it so unpopular in gathers, clan wars, etc when it is used so often for the ability to boost oneself to get flags quickly and escape quickly?

Actually, as mar77a said, it's *very* popular weapon... Skoskav aka 8th_account posted the stats from gathers/sctfl cw's somewhere.

Hmm, if bink and movementacc doesn't play much of a factor, I wonder what is the point in adding that +15 bink in M79 in the next version lol.

They point of adding 15 bink to m79 is to make bink at least somewhat noticeable... some players don't even realise the fact that m79 has bink.

People in gathers can probably take you out easily with that health disadvantage

No, if you take the flag and boost, *how* can they kill you if you'll be at least one screen away from them?

Also they cooperate better so you rarely face one opponent at a time - meaning you will probably lose.

So people play it on alt route in many cases ... -_-'
Anyway.. on main route, people use secondaries after shooting.

[STM1993]

People in gathers can probably take you out easily with that health disadvantage

No, if you take the flag and boost, *how* can they kill you if you'll be at least one screen away from them?

How about a good Barrett shot?

Mmm, so M79 is actually pretty balanced and its given bink because its current bink is too unnoticeable eh?

[excruciator]

m79 + rusher = fearsome/hard to counter.
Its very balanced.

I'm pretty sure if you take a pub newb, teach him nade, knife and boosting skills. With some practice and experience, He will be invincible at ctf..(you dont have to teach him m79, all newbs are born with that skill)

[STM1993]

m79 + rusher = fearsome/hard to counter.
Its very balanced.

I'm pretty sure if you take a pub newb, teach him nade, knife and boosting skills. With some practice and experience, He will be invincible at ctf..(you dont have to teach him m79, all newbs are born with that skill)

Ohhh I see... (and ya, M79 is an easy to use gun, hence its called the "noob cannon" by some players)

[LtKillroy]

I think it sucks, but should definately not be buffed. I call it the noob cannon because of the play style, charging at the enemy spawn shooting the first guy they see, and dying. It is by far my least favorite gun to use, and I hate getting killed by it, but it is pretty balanced and a good easy weapon for noobs to start on.

[a-4-year-old]

Within the constrains of a map, an enemy could be totally boned if an m79er came after him (old nuubia anyone?)

With enough skill it is pretty easy to counter though.

The weapon is pretty easy to use, but a player with much more skill won't be a whole lot better than major (1) Perhaps that is why it isn't used in clanwars?!?!?!

[Extacide]

Heh, noob cannon fests in PUBLIC SERVERS? People have been using gathers as an excuse to practice the "m79/knife" combination on any route, irregardless of how retarded it would be to use it in that situation in a more serious match.

God do I hate anyone who uses m79/knife. Such a retarded combination in my opinion.

[excruciator]

Within the constrains of a map, an enemy could be totally boned if an m79er came after him (old nuubia anyone?)

With enough skill it is pretty easy to counter though.

The weapon is pretty easy to use, but a player with much more skill won't be a whole lot better than major (1) Perhaps that is why it isn't used in clanwars?!?!?!

the reason that is not as used in clanwars its because its a 1 hitter, and its risky.
Its basically either you do extremely well and hit the shot, or you die and let the enemy go to the base.

I have such a hard time countering m79s. I rush a lot and I always end up killed because well..because my dps is so much lower than a m79s.

[tacoterrorist]

good easy weapon for noobs to start on.

Which in theory is good but in practice it doesn't work like that. Many noobs use it as their first gun and don't 'progress' up the chain to harder-to-use guns, or more 'tactical' guns. If they do try and use an auto (which requires a lot of practise to be efficient) they will find that they are getting owned and switch back to M79, or go to Barret, another 1 hit kill weapon.

[SDFilm]

m79 + rusher = fearsome/hard to counter.
Its very balanced.

I'm pretty sure if you take a pub newb, teach him nade, knife and boosting skills. With some practice and experience, He will be invincible at ctf..(you dont have to teach him m79, all newbs are born with that skill)

Ohhh I see... (and ya, M79 is an easy to use gun, hence its called the "noob cannon" by some players)

Or the 'noob-tube', as the grenade launcher is called in CoD4. I think 'noob cannon' was the 1.2.1 name for the Minimi; though I guess people will complain about any weapon in pubs. Though I prefer to make the M79'ers speak for themselves when they enter a server.

[Platehead]

People in gathers can probably take you out easily with that health disadvantage

No, if you take the flag and boost, *how* can they kill you if you'll be at least one screen away from them?

Also they cooperate better so you rarely face one opponent at a time - meaning you will probably lose.

So people play it on alt route in many cases ... -_-'
Anyway.. on main route, people use secondaries after shooting.

Ummmm
#1 - Get boosted themself, or if no M79s are around, barret, or it is even possible to catch up if the booster mistimed his jump/jet once.

#2 - secondaries are quite overpowered by other primary guns unless you're facing one guy with a knife/law or you are a veteran with the SOCOM

M79 is NOT noob! unless you get them 1cm away every time... then it gets a little lame, but very professional arcing shots occur quite often.

[InoX]

good easy weapon for noobs to start on.

Which in theory is good but in practice it doesn't work like that. Many noobs use it as their first gun and don't 'progress' up the chain to harder-to-use guns, or more 'tactical' guns. If they do try and use an auto (which requires a lot of practise to be efficient) they will find that they are getting owned and switch back to M79, or go to Barret, another 1 hit kill weapon.

Good point, thats why m79 / Barret should be fixed

[STM1993]

Good point, thats why m79 / Barret should be fixed

M79 and Barrett are more or less fine, but the problem is the player himself. He doesn't have the patience to learn some other weapon, so he just sticks with those 1-hitters to the very end. We have to find some way to encourage such users to actually use other guns instead of them. There are quite a few other guns that are easy to use, this includes MP5, Aug and AK (yes, these autos in particular quite easy to use too actually. Minimi's a little more skill-based due to high movementacc and long reload, plus it has a rather slow firing rate and its damage is only decent, though it can be a powerful weapon with a skilled player).

the reason that is not as used in clanwars its because its a 1 hitter, and its risky.
Its basically either you do extremely well and hit the shot, or you die and let the enemy go to the base.

I have such a hard time countering m79s. I rush a lot and I always end up killed because well..because my dps is so much lower than a m79s.

Let me guess, you probably use autos or more accurately, either a MP5 or a Spas?

I have quite a similar problem being a MP5-user myself, since that gun is pretty short-ranged and I float + rush with a socom as a secondary. Plus, my evading skills are not very impressive especially in maps with low amounts of jets. I normally go close to enemies, that's why M79 actually annoys me sometimes, and I find it quite hard to evade as a result of all the factors I just stated.

If the reload time is increased (slightly, up to a maximum of 240, minimum up to 190. You can modify the fireinterval instead of the reload time it also works quite similarly), then would M79 still be considered balanced?

[Ziem]

People in gathers can probably take you out easily with that health disadvantage

No, if you take the flag and boost, *how* can they kill you if you'll be at least one screen away from them?

Also they cooperate better so you rarely face one opponent at a time - meaning you will probably lose.

So people play it on alt route in many cases ... -_-'
Anyway.. on main route, people use secondaries after shooting.

Ummmm
#1 - Get boosted themself, or if no M79s are around, barret, or it is even possible to catch up if the booster mistimed his jump/jet once.

#2 - secondaries are quite overpowered by other primary guns unless you're facing one guy with a knife/law or you are a veteran with the SOCOM

M79 is NOT noob! unless you get them 1cm away every time... then it gets a little lame, but very professional arcing shots occur quite often.

1 - Try to catch up in clanwar or gather :S (noobs on publics don't boost, so ... ;f)
2 - one kill and a chance for a second kill? Is it bad? :F


It's very useful and overused weapon, but I think that +15 bink is enough.

If the reload time is increased (slightly, up to a maximum of 240, minimum up to 190. You can modify the fireinterval instead of the reload time it also works quite similarly), then would M79 still be considered balanced?

No... now m79 can beat autos quite easily, and it shouldn't (it should be 1-hits>semis>autos>1-hits). Adding some bink will make it ok in my opinion.