Just a quick question about the Clark shotty...

Adaxa · 08-06-2008, 04:44 PM

When should you bring it along? I'm often puzzled about when to bring it, because sometimes, or rather often, I find myself in a situation when bringing a MG would have been better or bringing a clark would have really helped.

Any ideas?

**Anospa** · 08-06-2008, 04:53 PM

It'll depend on your play style and where you plan on encountering the enemy. I personally never use the LMGs/HMG (just not my playstyle) and will only take support and use the shotgun when necessary. Others are incredibly successful with it, it is quite a deadly weapon.

There was a third member by the name of Waffle that played support and swore by the machine guns. He'd stick with a moving infantry squad and hold his own, even in CQC. So, you can use either or and still be effective, just have to learn how to approach the enemy and terrain.

**Zhohar** · 08-06-2008, 08:47 PM

Shotguns are frustrating unless in a squad of medics, and even so, they become fun only after you've been warmed up for several hours with them. Assault rifles have a lower "activation energy" (warmup period) but also a lower highest peak performance. It's possible to mow down a squad (a TG squad no less) with a single Clark clip, when properly warmed up. This happens rarely, though, and only after several rounds of warmup. Beyond that, it's usually a 1v1 fights that you win, take their medhub, heal up, and move on.

Depends on the playstyle and the objective.

Adaxa · 08-06-2008, 09:05 PM

Thanks for the info.

**MDFubar** · 08-07-2008, 12:29 AM

I prefer the Shotty for assaulting. The medics will have rockets usually, close inside of 20m and they only have the rifle. At close range you need point in the right direction(which I have a problem with sometimes) and drop them.
If we are defending, I prefer the HMG for medium to long range engagements. But in CQC defending, I will stick with my Shotgun.
Zhohar is absolutely correct, you need to get warmed up with this weapon before you can become truly effective. It does feel great to mow down 4 or 5 people with it in 1 clip!

**Uranium - 235** · 08-07-2008, 12:30 AM

I have major issues with ping and the Clark, with whole shots going through targets. And generally if you don't get them on the first shot they're going to turn and mow you down. Hence why I usually stick to using the Ganz as a really big assault rifle. I was inspired by WaffleHouse :P

Mech__Warrior · 08-07-2008, 09:11 AM

I unloaded three rounds on a guy, point-blank range, and he still would not die.

**DrBeat** · 08-07-2008, 11:11 AM

The clark is a funny weapon. When I do play support I always bring the clark shotty. I've always had trouble with the Ganz.

**Rali3gH** · 08-08-2008, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anospa

There was a third member by the name of Waffle that played support and swore by the machine guns. He'd stick with a moving infantry squad and hold his own, even in CQC. So, you can use either or and still be effective, just have to learn how to approach the enemy and terrain.

Hey, what ever happened to WafflehouseChef?

**Anospa** · 08-08-2008, 07:50 AM

He got busy with TF2, then his job got busier I believe and has had to take an extended leave, hopefully we see him back someday. Crux may know more.

**Lorax74** · 08-08-2008, 08:37 AM

Herzog ftw!

**Rali3gH** · 08-08-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anospa

...hopefully we see him back someday...

Let's all keep our fingers crossed. I miss seeing his name whilst laying on my back staring at the sky.

**YdoUwant2know** · 08-08-2008, 01:24 PM

Clark is a fun gun but I agree with Zho. You really need to use it for a few rounds to get the timing down before you can mow down squads. Overall for me what weapon I pack depends on the map. Sometimes the Clark, sometimes the Ganz.

**austforbeer** · 08-08-2008, 02:08 PM

Shotgun really takes practice and while I've been using it for a while now I still have questionable moments. That said, I am for the most part a very mobile player which is great for the clark so long as you're not attacking major distances.

If you're going to be camping then you can use the Ganz as it's a more stationary weapon but if you plan on running around and getting close, there's no question the clark is right for you if you're going to play support.

Morkrash · 08-09-2008, 07:31 PM

I believe that your question can only be answered after taking into consideration the other equipment that either the support or assault kits give you. One of the main strengths of the support kit is its ability to give you reliable information of nearby infantry threats - be it through the handheld scanner, or, more importantly, the IDS-1 infantry sonar. Coupled with an IDS-1 and plenty of cover (i.e. buildings) and corners, the support shotgun can be absolutely devastating since you'll be able to see everyone coming. However, given these criteria, there are many limitations to its use:

- Like someone said earlier, it's probably better to use it while attacking or defending CQC areas
- Obviously do not use on larger, open maps
- Use on smaller, built-up maps like Camp G. or Tunis Harbour. Moreover, on these maps, only use the shotgun in areas in which machine guns would not have a distance advantage. For instance, you shouldn't really use it outside of Toll Station on Camp G., but around Central Camp is fine. Another example is Cerbere Landing - the entire area between South Town Center and Roadblock is acceptable, but virtually everywhere else you'll be overmatched by MGs.
- Enemy titan + IDS = overkill. I really wish more people would do this.

Anyways, I guess my main point is that your equipment determined by your kit selection is as important as your primary weapon, as it very often complements it. You could always choose the Herzog shotgun addon on assault if you really want the "best of both worlds", but you'll find that it'll only be operating at peak efficiency when your situational awareness is supplemented by radar scans on the minimap. This is why the support kit can be so deadly - its technology often enables players to "choose their battles" instead of rushing in or depending on the scans from other people.

I guess my answers to your question probably seem very intuitive, but if you remember just one part of my post, please remember to always place an IDS-1 when using the shotgun!