SakuyaFM
*This will be a constantly-updated guide (hopefully). PSO2 will be taking the majority of my time but I'll try to make sure I check for updates weekly.*
Welcome to Sakuya's Specialist guide, you know, that class that has about one guide compared to Recons. In regards to the title, we'll get to that in a bit.
I. Introduction
II. Weapons
- A. Shotgun
- B. Light Machine Gun
III. Skills
- A. Aegis
- B. Blackout
IV. Team Skills
- A. Ammo
- B. Energy
V. Tactics
- A. Aegis vs. Blackout
- B. Critical Team Communication
- C. Weapon-Skill Synergies
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I. Introduction
So you may ask why this thread is called "Pillar of Leadership." Well, let's look at the class system for GRO in a more, traditional way. You are the tank, soaking damage with your Aegis, while your Recon acts as single-target DPS with stealth and your Assault is more of a crowd-control off-tank/DPS. As a Specialist, you're most likely to be leading the greatest of charges into enemy points because of that amazing bubble shield. You need to be prepared to take a lot of fire, and allow your Assaults to safely arm Blitz from your Aegis, or use HEAT to draw enemies out into the open for your Sniper Recons to take out or risk getting fried, all while allowing your SMG Recons to sneak past and easily flank the enemy.
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II. Weapons
A. Shotguns
The beasts of CQB, the behemoths of short range. Of course, you can still hit people at fairly longer ranges than usual, but this is your optimal weapon for room-to-room fighting, like E Point rooms in Markov Station, D and B Point building in Chertanovo LZ. Always bring one of these in case you have pushed or are pushed to your respective points.
Some very good purchases include the M500 and the PM5 (Though I am unsure after the nerf), and in fact, it's advisable to stick to the M500 to learn good trigger discipline and more accurate aiming as the pump-action disallows excessive spamming. Additonally it's a LV5 unlock which allows you to level its Weapon Mastery earlier, and in turn increases your crit chance. Crit = Damage. Damage = DEAD ENEMIES. The choice of which weapon version you want is up to you. Long barrel versions tend to stick out of cover, but allows longer-ranged shots ala MW2 SPAS-12. Short-barrel versions almost never stick out of cover, has higher Handling (weapon ready time from a dead sprint), but exchanges those for accuracy and wider pellet spread.
B. Light Machine Guns
Your bread-and-butter, do-it-all, jack-of-all-trades master-of-none Specialist weapon. Not as versatile and adaptable as the Assault Rifles, but it does its job. This is what you want as a default weapon, as it works with both Aegis and Blackout.
Good LMGs to use include the Ultimax MK5 (YES, THAT STARTER GUN), MG36, and L86. I included the Ultimax because, just like the M500, you get it at a very early level (LV1), meaning if you keep on racking up the kills, your crit chance increases, and it dramatically improves in performance (plus it did get a reasonable buff at the start of CB2).
As for weapon versions/upgrades, BeefJerkyHunter/gameshoes recommended adding a grip to your LMG. Well, it WAS a good idea, up until the global LMG recoil increase patch was implemented, discouraging run n' gun LMGs. Of course, you can still say that adding a grip is better because you are running around with Aegis on. It's sound reasoning, but how many times will you be activating Aegis every game to justify a small boost to handling? First off, you can't even sprint while in Aegis, so the weapon ready time bonus from the grip is pointless (unless I am missing something i.e. Handling affecting ADS/Zoom speed, which you shouldn't need if you're in Aegis). Second, you will be in cover for a good duration of the game (or should be, because moving from cover to cover is optimal), so a bipod helps a bunch. It's why the M96 SV is really good.
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III. Skills
A. Aegis
Ah yes, the infamous bubble shield. Somewhat much better than the Halo bubble shield, because it's mobile rather than a static emplacement. This is the core of what being a Specialist truly is. It's a mobile shield with you in the middle, protecting you and anyone inside for around 20 seconds, whilst allowing you to shoot anyone outside of it. However, there are some downsides to this awesomeness. You can't sprint. You can't take cover. Enemies can go in the bubble to kill you. Lastly, it needs to be fully charged, which takes 150 seconds.
When you get MK2, make sure you upgrade the duration or cooldown. Why not field size? Well, you don't want to give the enemy team more leeway to be able to get into your bubble. Bigger bubble = higher chance of enemies getting in.
B. Blackout
Blackout is a pretty underused skill, but for good reason. It's tough to effectively use, but the benefits of doing so are tremendous. It has an arming time, and while it arms, the effective radius increases. When it fires, anyone around you will have their HUD scrambled while feeling like the just got flashbanged, as well as jamming their weapons for a short time. It also disables enemy devices, so Recons in Cloak will immediately be revealed. Of course, there is a downside, which includes NOT HAVING AEGIS. Jokes aside, you need to be fairly close to enemies for this skill to be effective. This makes it a bit more of a defensive option rather than offensive.
Recommended MK2 upgrade is the radius, as this is the weakest point of this skill. Stun duration is 2nd, and cooldown is 3rd.
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IV. Team Skills
A. Ammo Replenish
*WIP*
B. Energy Recharge
*WIP*
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V. Tactics
A. Aegis vs. Blackout
Simple. Aegis for attacking points, Blackout for defending WITHIN points.
B. Critical Team Communcation
*WIP*
C. Weapon-Skill Synergies
*WIP*
Originally Posted by cooflo
