Autofire is a tactical & damage dealing skill
Autofire is a tactical & damage dealing skill
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Another post for newcomers, this time about Autofire. A x2 skill with two distinct uses: Autofire and Suppressive Fire.
I think it would be beneficial to demystify this skill, as it can be difficult for newcomers to understand how to get the most out of it. In my experience, many players feel it's less effective than other x2 skills, but I've found that they don't put the necessary commitment into it.
AUTOFIRE : DAMAGE DEALING
AUTOFIRE : DAMAGE DEALING
Facts
Facts
1 burst of 10 bullets at 1 target.
case 1 : DV 17 at optimal range and DV20 at less optimal range, then it becomes too high for most characters (DV 22, 25 and even 30)
case 2 (target has REF8 or Reflex co-processor) : DEX + Evasion + 1D10 Damage
If you hit, roll 2d6 for damage, and multiply by the number of times you beat the DV to hit your target, up to a maximum indicated by the weapon's Autofire (3 for SMGS, 4 for assault rifles).
Weapons : AR, HSMG and SMG.
Analysis
Analysis
The 2D6 roll is very swingy by nature and you have a very low "critical injury" chance. There is nothing you can do here, that's the nature of the beast. Accept it or choose another skill. Still take into account that :
(4,3) = 7 which is average, will do 21 damage with an SMG and 28 with an AR. IF you hit the maximum multiplier. You can do it, with dedication.
(6,6) with an AR = 53 damages. That's a big adrenaline shoot when you roll it against a lieutenant or a Mini-boss.
Unlike other firing methods (except Aimed shot), Autofire's damage is directly linked to the quality of the shoot itself, the higher you hit, the more damage you inflict. As a result, it becomes very necessary to stack up bonuses of all kinds to optimize your ability to use this skill.
List of bonuses :
+1 excellent quality weapon
+1 smartlink
+1 synthcoke
+1 to +3 Precision attack frome Combat Awerness of the Solo role.
+1 Training Area from you HQ if you are a Solo.
Luck
Base 14, +1 excellent quality weapon, +1 smartlink, +1 synthcoke, +1 precision attack = 18.
It is possible right from the start. With a excellent HSMG (500eb) + Smartlink (500eb + Neural link 500eb + Subdermalgreip 100eb) =1600eb. With a 2+ roll you will do 2D6 x 3 damage at optimal range. In this specific case, it is 7 to 12m, and that not very large range. That's why, you'll need to address the distance issue at some point.
If you carry an AR and let's say a pop-up HSMG, your distance will be :
DV17 HSMG : 7 - 12m
DV17 AR : 13- 25m
with a good MOVE, you are golden.
Keep in mind that against Evasion... you don't care about distance. And your GM is supposed to use Mook, Lieutenant and Mini-boss from the book or the hardened version. Guess what ? Most of them can't dodge ranged attack and those who can... have maximum Evasion 16. I let you do the math, but against a mini-boss, all you need is some Luck points and you may have a chance to dismantle them with one burst.
Expensive special ammo burst : As you are bursting 10 round per turn... AP and Incendiary ammo are not worth it at the start of your campaign, because it's far too expensive.
Concealable damage : SMG or PopUP HSMG are concealable and will do massive damage with autofire.
Special weapons
Malorian Arms Sub-Flechette HSMG is a beast for middle/late game Autofire user, smartlink and excellent + AP4 + AF4. That's just the best weapon in the game. Unlike a Hurricane shotgun... you can conceal it in a popup weapon.
Helix is not that impressive. But with some Luck you might hit x5.... that's a lot of damage. Nice to use it on a AV4 as a mounted weapon.
Pepper Shaker requires only 6 ammo/burst --> more burst , but the real thing is to maybe use AP or Incendiary ammo.
Teen Dreem, 1 burst than toss it. For starting character (without a pop-up HSMG), that's a good economy of action.
Gears
Neural link : 500eb
Cyberarms : 500eb
Subdermal grip : 100eb
PopUp ranged weapon : 500eb + HSMG (see below)
HSMG excellent : 500eb + Smartlink 500eb + Drum 500eb
AR excellent : 1000eb (but are easy to find a Night market) + Smartlink 500eb + Drum 500eb
That's 4600eb. Let's say character creation + 2/3 jobs and you are good to go. You will have high damage, concealable high damage. AND enough bullet to last a combat without reloading.
It's easy to source your weapons, because exotic weapon aren't good enough (except the Malorian), as you need to stack bonuses : Excellent weapon AND smartlink are a must have. Most exotic are standard quality and without a smartlink, you can only TechUpgrade to Excellent Quality.
A dedicated rank 6 Solo can achieve : base 16, +1 excellent quality weapon, +1 smartlink, +1 synthcoke, +1 training, +2 precision attack = 22. That's 6 point above base 16 in Evasion (mini boss / Boss), which means you're gonna hit, and most of the time you will apply the max multiplier.
Autofire partial conclusion
Autofire partial conclusion
You have to invest in this skill - I'm not saying you have to be a Solo. But, as the damages are swingy, you need to hit as high as possible to get a x3/x4 damage multiplier. It's easier to do it as a Solo, Precision attack and the Training Area of your HQ will help you a lot.
SUPPRESSIVE FIRE
SUPPRESSIVE FIRE
Facts
Facts
1 burst of 10 bullets to everyone on foot within 25 m/yds, out of cover, and in your line of sight. (you need 10 bullets / everyone include your allies)
They roll WILL + Concentration + 1d10 against your REF + Autofire Skill + 1d10 (they need to beat your roll)
Anyone that fails must use their next Move Action to get into cover. If that Move Action would be insufficient to get into cover, they must also use the Run Action to get into cover or as close to cover as possible. (if you reach cover, that's the end of your move action, whatever move you have left)
Analysis
Analysis
Edit : I'm adding a very good point from u/Sverkhchelovek. Suppressive fire is badly written, so there are endless debates about it on Reddit and Discord. I've spend last night reading these debates to find a clear ruling from the devs, almost nothing. By consequence, we are still waiting for devs to make a clear and official point here (Errata or FaQ).
If you apply RAW, without any concern for common sense or intent, they are different interpretation to the rule. Worst, someone can failed the Concentration check, and shoot back at you while running into cover. And this point is fully RAW, no interpretation possible here. It's clear that devs intention was to write a rule to "suppress" opponent, and a suppressed opponent firing back at you after failing a Concentration check feel not normal. We aren't playing a wargame, but a TTRP... the purpose is to roleplay and to be immersed in the world.
J Gray : "RAW is a starting point. Not an end point".
J Gray : "I think many new players and GMs don’t realize the rules are flexible, can change, and aren’t designed to be rigidly enforced forever and ever under all circumstances. As they play and get experience, they learn they can break rules without us busting down the door and yelling at them."
James Hutt : about the intent behind the rule : https://youtu.be/nFE-i4AF5Vo?si=FUefdjcut12sWKll&t=778
--> That said, your GM will decide. So, before investing in this skill, you need to check with him. If he is not playing it as described below, Autofire become pretty underwhelming and you should invest in it only if you want a Conceal SMG with high damage without destroying everything in your path. That would be a hefty price (x2 skill) for such a feature as Martial arts is pretty close range too and far more effective in damage dealing terms.
Because you stacked-up so much bonuses for the damage dealing part of Autofire, you're gonna win the check. Most mook don't have base 14 in concentration. And you have at least 16 with your bonuses. They will not resist. (the more they are, the more chance one of them gonna explode is roll, but you get the idea).
Unlike suppressive fire in real life, the skill doesn't work against people who are already under cover. This is a balancing rule, so don't look for logic, there isn't any here.
You need to be smart, because your allies might get caught in your Suppressive fire.
But you will be able to messed up the offensive of your foes. 1 burst might be equal to 3 opponents taking cover. You are winning the action economy here. If you want a crowd to disperse... that's also a good way to do it. And if 15 gangers are running at you... they will be stopped in their tracks. It's also pretty effective at stopping a Linear Frame Martial artist to reach melee range.
Keep in mind they can still do some stuff while behind a cover :
Reload
Speedheal
Jury rigs an armor
call for back-up
Hold action and wait for someone to enter is line of sight, like someone trying to flank him.
etc...
You might think it's very important to have the initiative in order to be effective with a Suppressive fire. That's better, yes. BUT if you act last, let's say 3 guys are out in the open and you suppressed them. Their next action, even if it's on the next turn, will be a run for cover.
Suppressive fire partial conclusion
Suppressive fire partial conclusion
This is a very good tactical tool, and the reason why Autofire is x2 skill. A smart player can change the course of a battle with one burst of Suppressive fire, if he does it right. And contrary to the damage dealing part, you can achieve wonders without investing that much into it, because most of the mook are bad at Concentration.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
If you don't take full advantage of this skill, especially its most tactical aspect, you'll miss out on its power and feel robbed.
At first glance, it's clear that Solos will take the most out of it. However, because Suppressive Fire doesn't require a very high roll to be effective, I've used it with characters who aren't particularly combat-oriented. A Tech with a lot of Luck (important for this role) can do wonders with Autofire as his only offensive skill.
If you invest in it, this skill works perfectly, provided you accept the unpredictability of the damage it deals.
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