SAW gunning 101

[SloppyJoe]

The M249 SAW is a powerful weapon, packing some total of 600 rounds that can be devastating if properly used.


Fire Modes: Full-Auto
Effective Range: 300 - 1,000 m
Rate of Fire: 850 rpm
Reload Time: 9.9 seconds
Ammo: 5.56 mm ball
Magazine Capacity: 200 rounds
Weight: 15.16 lbs

One particular use is for suppression fire AKA covering fire AKA firing for effect. This tactic is used to lay down fire on opfor positions or even suspected opfor positions in order for your team to make a move while enemies duck and cover. For effective bullet placement and perhaps even a kill, prone position with iron sights and firing 3-5 round bursts will provide ample accuracy to hit a sighted target. However, standing and even moving while laying cover fire is always helpful in a pinch. I don't recommend using the bipod because it doesn't add enough accuracy to warrant being "stuck" in a position with the bipod down; tracers draw attention and mobility is important to survive if being shot back at.

The SAW is also very useful in CQB, particularly in short distance areas such as hallways and small rooms. Dropping multiple targets without having the burden of reloading is always a pleasure. Also door guarding with a SAW is particularly useful. If an opfor messes with a door you can easily light it up without having to worry too much about ammo usage, whereas a regular rifleman may question the effectiveness of perhaps wasting multiple clips in a door-war.

Also, when teamed up with a rifleman, SAW cover fire can be very useful to cover a hot spot while your teammate reloads.

Remember, don't treat the SAW as a regular rifle. 600 rounds is a vast difference that the 6 clips of 30 (180 total) that rifleman get. Use those extra rounds when stealth is not a factor.

[Obi]

The SAW is awsome. Probably one of my favourite weapons.

What makes the SAW even better is the fact that suppressing fire actually WORKS in this game.

I didn't realise that the bipod didn't give that much more accuracy. I have been caught a number of times with the bipod set up and I am unable to move when I really need to.

Thanks for the advice.

[Mirfee]

Originally Posted by 0b1one

What makes the SAW even better is the fact that suppressing fire actually WORKS in this game.

Agreed. This is something the devs were working on improving over the life of the game so far (IIRC). The engine causes a player's aim to diminish when they're under fire. The more fire your position takes, the greater the penalty to your accuracy. So obviously, base of fire from multiple rifles, and/or a single SAW does a good bit to make twitch cowboys less 'heroic'. This has been one of the great banes of tactical shooters... players don't ever *feel* suppressed, so they routinely stick their heads and their weapons right into fire and engage without any sense of danger... unlike in real life.

This suppression modelling isn't the same thing, of course, but it's good to know that the guy being suppressed is going to have a tougher time hitting you in return if he decides to dance with those incoming rounds.

[ScratchMonkey]

I didn't know you could "deploy" the bipod. Is that the same as using the zoom, or are you talking about something else?

My favorite use of the SAW is for helicopter suppression. I drop into cover, zoom, and open up on the heli, following it around the sky. The average heli pilot will either start hunting me (drawing him off the critical target he was after) or head for cover. I can run around alleys for cover where the heli can't easily follow me. I can hit the heli from halfway across the map, so I can be pretty hard to locate. Add another SAW or some 50 from a vehicle and the heli won't last long.

[Turbo]

Hey ScratchMonkey I didn't know their were helicoptors in AA?

[Grunt 70]

Sounds like BF2 Scratch...your points are definately right on...but I think the OP was discussing America's Army...where this weapon packs a bigger punch believe it or not.

[ScratchMonkey]

Doh! Saw the thread title in the list of New Posts and didn't pay attention to which forum it was in. I love games with vehicles. I take it AA doesn't have any?

[Turbo]

Originally Posted by ScratchMonkey

I love games with vehicles. I take it AA doesn't have any?

No, it has no vehicles that move. You dont really need vehicles to entertain you when you can use real life tactics. Oh I forgot something, once you post in the AA forum it is a requirement to play the game. Get moving soldier.

[Obi]

Originally Posted by Turbo

Oh I forgot something, once you post in the AA forum it is a requirement to play the game. Get moving soldier.

Thats right. It is also my duty to impose whatever Turbo says. So get downloading before I steal your bananna ScratchMonkey!

[SloppyJoe]

Additional tactics:

How to make snipers upset:

If you sustain quick bursts against a sniper position, you will cause their scope to bounce around like crazy. If you nick a sniper, it will cause him to bleed. There is nothing a sniper loves more than this. Be wary however, long engagements against snipers can result in your death because they can get lucky on the scopes over several shots. Best just to injure the sniper and render him ineffective and then displace.