Sonic Pistol vs Heavy Gauss - Revision history

Quantifier at 10:26, 22 January 2015

2015-01-22T10:26:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:26, 22 January 2015
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	\| Heavy Gauss		\| Heavy Gauss
	\| 75 Gauss		\| 75 Gauss
	\| 0 - ~~150~~		\| 37 - 112
	\|-		\|-
	\| Sonic Pistol		\| Sonic Pistol
	\| 80 Sonic		\| 80 Sonic
	\| 0 - ~~160~~		\| 40 - 120
	\|}		\|}


	The Sonic Pistol has a small 0 - 10 point lead, which doesn't appear to be that major a difference. However, raw power just scratches the surface. Let's consider the resistances and vulnerabilities of the various units.		The Sonic Pistol has a small 3 - 8 point lead, which doesn't appear to be that major a difference. However, raw power just scratches the surface. Let's consider the resistances and vulnerabilities of the various units.

	The following table shows the percentage of damage that is applied to the amount of total damage that is dealt by each weapon ''before'' armor is deducted. A 0% shows that the unit will take normal damage from the attack.		The following table shows the percentage of damage that is applied to the amount of total damage that is dealt by each weapon ''before'' armor is deducted. A 0% shows that the unit will take normal damage from the attack.
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	The Sonic Power Clip is quick to build and costs less than the Heavy Gauss clip. However, each clip requires the use of your most precious commodity: Zrbite. Even though the Heavy Gauss is more expensive in terms of the monetary costs, the rarity and usage you can get out of the Zrbite is worth much more than its price tag. This means Heavy Gauss clips are much cheaper to manufacture in large quantities.		The Sonic Power Clip is quick to build and costs less than the Heavy Gauss clip. However, each clip requires the use of your most precious commodity: Zrbite. Even though the Heavy Gauss is more expensive in terms of the monetary costs, the rarity and usage you can get out of the Zrbite is worth much more than its price tag. This means Heavy Gauss clips are much cheaper to manufacture in large quantities.

	Are the Pistol Power Clips really that expensive? Perhaps not entirely. One way to look at it is to consider the capacity of the ammo clips and the damage each round is capable of doing. Assuming damage against 100% susceptible units, the Heavy Gauss Clip has a potential of dealing 0 - 1,~~500~~ points of damage. The Pistol Power Clip does 0 - 3,~~200~~.		Are the Pistol Power Clips really that expensive? Perhaps not entirely. One way to look at it is to consider the capacity of the ammo clips and the damage each round is capable of doing. Assuming damage against 100% susceptible units, the Heavy Gauss Clip has a potential of dealing 370 - 1,120 points of damage. The Pistol Power Clip does 800 - 2,400.

	Despite that, most players will be governed by their own Zrbite stockpiles. Those with low supplies will prefer to invest in projects that are worth more in the long term, thus the Heavy Gauss clips much more easier to produce. Those with large Zrbite stores on the other hand won't notice a thing.		Despite that, most players will be governed by their own Zrbite stockpiles. Those with low supplies will prefer to invest in projects that are worth more in the long term, thus the Heavy Gauss clips much more easier to produce. Those with large Zrbite stores on the other hand won't notice a thing.

Hobbes: categorizing

2013-07-23T03:19:54Z

categorizing

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:19, 23 July 2013
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	[[Weapon Analysis]]		[[Weapon Analysis]]

			[[Category:TFTD]]

NKF at 22:46, 18 July 2009

2009-07-18T22:46:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:46, 18 July 2009
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	The Heavy Gauss on the other hand is easier and cheaper (on exotic materials) to mass produce. The heavy imbalance caused by the damage modifiers is what damages it from being a cheaper equal to the Sonic Pistol.		The Heavy Gauss on the other hand is easier and cheaper (on exotic materials) to mass produce. The heavy imbalance caused by the damage modifiers is what damages it from being a cheaper equal to the Sonic Pistol.


			=See Also=

			[[Weapon Analysis]]

NKF: Further expanded pro/con table

2009-04-06T07:38:22Z

Further expanded pro/con table

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:38, 6 April 2009
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	* Has more accurate Aimed shot		* Has more accurate Aimed shot
	* Doesn't use any exotic materials in construction or ammo		* Doesn't use any exotic materials in construction or ammo
			* Starting point of research path is available right away
	* Research path has useful "interim" benefits - Gauss Pistol and Rifle		* Research path has useful "interim" benefits - Gauss Pistol and Rifle
	* Research path completes 75% of Gauss Cannon = major economic benefits		* Research path completes 75% of the [[Gauss Cannon]] = major economic benefits

	Cons:		Cons:
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	* Slower Build Time		* Slower Build Time
	* Can only be manufactured		* Can only be manufactured
			* Available only after the gun portion of its interim research path are completed
	* Higher total research (1350 scientist days average - 690 beyond Gauss Rifle)		* Higher total research (1350 scientist days average - 690 beyond Gauss Rifle)

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	* One handed		* One handed
	* Gun and ammo can be collected for a limited time		* Gun and ammo can be collected for a limited time
	* Lower total research (1000 scientist x days average)		* Once obtained, can be researched directly
			* Lower total research (1000 scientist × days average)
			* Worth 33.33..% of the [[Sonic Oscillator]] = major tactical benefit.

	Con:		Con:
	* Ammo must be manufactured with Zrbite (or collected)		* Sample must be gathered before research can be started
			* Ammo must be manufactured with Zrbite or collected until alien stocks dry up.
	* Gun must be manufactured with Aqua Plastics (or collected)		* Gun must be manufactured with Aqua Plastics (or collected)
	* No "interim" benefits whilst researching		* No "interim" benefits whilst researching
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	= Summary =		= Summary =

	Even though not everything was covered in the above (such as early availability and research time), it is clear that the Sonic Pistol is superior to the Heavy Gauss in performance despite its higher production cost. It's a pocket cannon - if you will.		Even though not everything was covered in the above extensively (such as early availability and research time), it is clear that the Sonic Pistol is superior to the Heavy Gauss in performance despite its higher production cost. It's a pocket cannon - if you will.

	The Heavy Gauss on the other hand is easier and cheaper (on exotic materials) to mass produce. The heavy imbalance caused by the damage modifiers is what damages it from being a cheaper equal to the Sonic Pistol.		The Heavy Gauss on the other hand is easier and cheaper (on exotic materials) to mass produce. The heavy imbalance caused by the damage modifiers is what damages it from being a cheaper equal to the Sonic Pistol.

Spike: /* Quick Pro/Con Summary */ expand on Research pro/con

2009-04-05T14:12:11Z

Quick Pro/Con Summary: expand on Research pro/con

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:12, 5 April 2009
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	* Has more accurate Aimed shot		* Has more accurate Aimed shot
	* Doesn't use any exotic materials in construction or ammo		* Doesn't use any exotic materials in construction or ammo
			* Research path has useful "interim" benefits - Gauss Pistol and Rifle
			* Research path completes 75% of Gauss Cannon = major economic benefits

	Cons:		Cons:
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	* Slower Build Time		* Slower Build Time
	* Can only be manufactured		* Can only be manufactured
	* Higher total research (1350 scientist days average)		* Higher total research (1350 scientist days average - 690 beyond Gauss Rifle)

	Sonic Pistol		Sonic Pistol
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	* High ammo capacity		* High ammo capacity
	* One handed		* One handed
	* ~~Can~~ be collected for a limited time		* Gun and ammo can be collected for a limited time
	* Lower total research (1000 scientist x days average)		* Lower total research (1000 scientist x days average)

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	* Ammo must be manufactured with Zrbite (or collected)		* Ammo must be manufactured with Zrbite (or collected)
	* Gun must be manufactured with Aqua Plastics (or collected)		* Gun must be manufactured with Aqua Plastics (or collected)
			* No "interim" benefits whilst researching

	= Summary =		= Summary =

Spike: /* Quick Pro/Con Summary */ Research

2009-04-05T13:32:39Z

Quick Pro/Con Summary: Research

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:32, 5 April 2009
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	Pros:		Pros:
	* Has more accurate Aimed shot		* Has more accurate Aimed shot
	* Doesn't use exotic materials in construction		* Doesn't use any exotic materials in construction or ammo

	Cons:		Cons:
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	* Slower Build Time		* Slower Build Time
	* Can only be manufactured		* Can only be manufactured
			* Higher total research (1350 scientist days average)

	Sonic Pistol		Sonic Pistol
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	* One handed		* One handed
	* Can be collected for a limited time		* Can be collected for a limited time
			* Lower total research (1000 scientist x days average)

	Con:		Con:
	* Ammo must be manufactured with Zrbite		* Ammo must be manufactured with Zrbite (or collected)
	* Gun must be manufactured with Aqua Plastics		* Gun must be manufactured with Aqua Plastics (or collected)

	= Summary =		= Summary =

NKF: Small fix and added a little bit I left out

2009-04-04T03:38:22Z

Small fix and added a little bit I left out

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:38, 4 April 2009
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	Anyhow, to illustrate this, let's see how the third generation Gauss weapon fares against the first generation Sonic weapon.		Anyhow, to illustrate this, let's see how the third generation Gauss weapon fares against the first generation Sonic weapon.

	Please be aware that this article is comparing the ''original'' Heavy Gauss. Not the XComutil "Enhanced" Heavy Gauss, which is not canon ~~to the game~~.		Please be aware that this article is comparing the ''original'' Heavy Gauss. Not the XComutil "Enhanced" Heavy Gauss, which is not a canon cannon.

	= Performance Comparisons =		= Performance Comparisons =
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	Even with the small difference in damage power, we can see that the Heavy Gauss is at a significant disadvantage thanks to the consistent low damage modifiers that it gets, and ~~his~~ has widened the damage difference considerably.		Even with the small difference in damage power, we can see that the Heavy Gauss is at a significant disadvantage thanks to the consistent low damage modifiers that it gets, and this has widened the damage difference considerably.

	== Shot Aptitude ==		== Shot Aptitude ==
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	The Sonic Pistol is small and can fit on an aquanaut's belt. It's light and the one-handedness allows the aquanaut to actively operate some other device in the other hand without suffering a -20% accuracy penalty, ~~something the Heavy Gauss simply cannot afford~~.		The Sonic Pistol is small and can fit on an aquanaut's belt. It's light and the one-handedness allows the aquanaut to actively operate some other device in the other hand without suffering a -20% accuracy penalty. This means that you can have something like a [[Vibroblade\|drill]] or [[Sonic Pulser]] to assist when a direct ranged attack will not do or when more power is needed, or even a [[Medikit (TFTD)\|Medikit]].

	Additionally, the Sonic Pistol carries twice as much ammunition than the Heavy Gauss. More on this in the next section.		Additionally, the Sonic Pistol carries twice as much ammunition than the Heavy Gauss. More on this in the next section.

			The Heavy Gauss on the other hand is the complete opposite. It's large and heavy and the two-handed grip limits your use of the other hand. The size forces you to stow the gun away in your backpack if you need to put it away and this is a costly action. It's not an easy weapon to handle.


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	= Summary =		= Summary =

	Even though not everything was covered in the above (such as early availability and research time), it is clear that the Sonic Pistol is superior to the Heavy Gauss in performance despite its higher production cost. The Heavy Gauss on the other hand is the cheaper ~~mass-production alternative~~.		Even though not everything was covered in the above (such as early availability and research time), it is clear that the Sonic Pistol is superior to the Heavy Gauss in performance despite its higher production cost. It's a pocket cannon - if you will.

			The Heavy Gauss on the other hand is easier and cheaper (on exotic materials) to mass produce. The heavy imbalance caused by the damage modifiers is what damages it from being a cheaper equal to the Sonic Pistol.

NKF: Words and letters unite! Merge into paragraphs!

2009-04-03T11:16:54Z

Words and letters unite! Merge into paragraphs!

New page

[[User:NKF | I]] often say that the [[Sonic Pistol]] is just a miniaturized [[Heavy Gauss]] that is better in every way. After cobbling together this article, it turns out that the difference between the two weapons is much more disproportionate than the basic Ufopaedia stats will first lead you to believe. My assumption is therefore quite incorrect - they are most certainly not an even pairing.

Anyhow, to illustrate this, let's see how the third generation Gauss weapon fares against the first generation Sonic weapon.

Please be aware that this article is comparing the ''original'' Heavy Gauss. Not the XComutil "Enhanced" Heavy Gauss, which is not canon to the game.

= Performance Comparisons =
== Stopping Power ==

Let's start off with the simplest but most prominent characteristic that sets these two weapons apart - stopping power.

{| {{stdCenterTable}}
|+ '''Damage'''
|- {{StdDescTable_Heading}}
!
! Damage (Avg)
! Damage Range
|-
| Heavy Gauss
| 75 Gauss
| 0 - 150
|-
| Sonic Pistol
| 80 Sonic
| 0 - 160
|}

The Sonic Pistol has a small 0 - 10 point lead, which doesn't appear to be that major a difference. However, raw power just scratches the surface. Let's consider the resistances and vulnerabilities of the various units.

The following table shows the percentage of damage that is applied to the amount of total damage that is dealt by each weapon ''before'' armor is deducted. A 0% shows that the unit will take normal damage from the attack.

Note that the first listing is for group of units covering unarmored X-COM units, Aquatoids, Civilians and Zombies.

{| {{stdCenterTable}}
|+ '''Damage Deduction/Addition'''
|- {{StdDescTable_Heading}}
!Unit Type
!Heavy Gauss
!Sonic Pistol
|-
|align ="left" |Unarmored Humanoid
| 0%
| 0%
|-
| align ="left" |Plastic Aqua Armor
| style ="color:red;"| -20%
| 0%
|-
|align ="left" |Ion Armor/Mag Ion Armor
|style ="color:red;"| -30%
|style ="color:red;"| -10%
|-
|align ="left" |SWS/Displacer
|style ="color:red;"| -40%
| 0%
|-
|align ="left" |Deep Ones
|style ="color:red;"| -10%
| +10%
|-
|align ="left" |Gill Men
| 0%
| +10%
|-
|align ="left" |Tasoth
|style ="color:red;"| -30%
| +20%
|-
|align ="left" |Calcinite
|style ="color:red;"| -10%
| +10%
|-
|align ="left" |Tentaculat
|style ="color:red;"| -10%
| +10%
|-
|align ="left" |Lobstermen
|style ="color:red;"| -70%
|style ="color:red;"| -50%
|-
|align ="left" |Xarquid and Bio Drone
|style ="color:red;"| -30%
|style ="color:red;"| -10%
|-
|align ="left" |Hallucinoid
|style ="color:red;"| -20%
| 0%
|-
|align ="left" |Triscene
|style ="color:red;"| -20%
|style ="color:red;"| -10%
|}

Even with the small difference in damage power, we can see that the Heavy Gauss is at a significant disadvantage thanks to the consistent low damage modifiers that it gets, and his has widened the damage difference considerably.

== Shot Aptitude ==

Damage aside, we now move on to the accuracy and speed of the individual shots.

{| {{stdCenterTable}}
|+ '''Firing Cost'''
|- {{StdDescTable_Heading}}
! Type
! Aimed Cost
! Aimed Acc.
! Snap Cost
! Snap Acc.
|-
| Heavy Gauss
| 80%
| 90%
| 40%
| 50%
|-
| Sonic Pistol
| 50%
| 85%
| 30%
| 65%
|}

From the figures, we can see that the Sonic Pistol lets you fire three snaps a turn, one snap and one aimed, or two aimed. The Heavy Gauss on the other hand can only fire two snaps or one aimed shot a turn.

The Sonic Pistol clearly edges out the Heavy Gauss with its overall speed and snap accuracy. The Sonic Pistol gives you plenty of options to choose from while leaving you sufficient room to be mobile at the same time.

The Heavy Gauss is 5% more accurate when aimed, but this loses quite a lot of impact thanks to its heavy firing cost, allowing it to only be fired once per turn.

== Physical Characteristics ==

Physical characteristics include the dimensions/shape, grip, weight and ammo capacity of the respective weapons.

{| {{stdCenterTable}}
|+ '''Physical Comparison'''
|- {{StdDescTable_Heading}}
! Type/Characteristic
! Dimensions
! Gun Weight
! Clip Weight
! Grip
! Ammo

|-
| Heavy Gauss
| 3h × 2w
| 18
| 4
| 2-handed
| 10
|-
| Sonic Pistol
| 2h × 1w
| 3
| 3
| 1-handed
| 20
|}

The Sonic Pistol is small and can fit on an aquanaut's belt. It's light and the one-handedness allows the aquanaut to actively operate some other device in the other hand without suffering a -20% accuracy penalty, something the Heavy Gauss simply cannot afford.

Additionally, the Sonic Pistol carries twice as much ammunition than the Heavy Gauss. More on this in the next section.

== Cost ==

Cost here refers to the costs in producing the weapons and their respective ammunition clips.

{| {{stdCenterTable}}
|+ '''Weapon Production Costs'''
|- {{StdDescTable_Heading}}
! Type
! Build Hours
! Work Space
! Cost
! Extra Materials
! Sell
|-
| Heavy Gauss
| 700
| 4
| $32,000
| None
| $61,000
|-
| Sonic Pistol
| 600
| 3
| $56,000
| Aqua Plastics × 1
| $84,000
|}

From the above, we can see that the Sonic Pistol is faster to build, but much more expensive in costs and requires Aqua Plastics. The Heavy Gauss wins this battle.

To be more sensible about it, you'll probably never have to build a Sonic Pistol in order to use it, as you'll be able to capture a few while it's still a staple alien weapon during the early part of the game.

{| {{stdCenterTable}}
|+ '''Ammo Production Costs'''
|- {{StdDescTable_Heading}}
! Type
! Build Hours
! Work Space
! Cost
! Extra Materials
! Sell
|-
| Heavy Gauss Clip
| 70
| 4
| $4,000
| None
| $3,220
|-
| Pistol Power Clip
| 60
| 3
| $2,000
| Zrbite × 1
| $4,400
|}

The Sonic Power Clip is quick to build and costs less than the Heavy Gauss clip. However, each clip requires the use of your most precious commodity: Zrbite. Even though the Heavy Gauss is more expensive in terms of the monetary costs, the rarity and usage you can get out of the Zrbite is worth much more than its price tag. This means Heavy Gauss clips are much cheaper to manufacture in large quantities.

Are the Pistol Power Clips really that expensive? Perhaps not entirely. One way to look at it is to consider the capacity of the ammo clips and the damage each round is capable of doing. Assuming damage against 100% susceptible units, the Heavy Gauss Clip has a potential of dealing 0 - 1,500 points of damage. The Pistol Power Clip does 0 - 3,200.

Despite that, most players will be governed by their own Zrbite stockpiles. Those with low supplies will prefer to invest in projects that are worth more in the long term, thus the Heavy Gauss clips much more easier to produce. Those with large Zrbite stores on the other hand won't notice a thing.

= Quick Pro/Con Summary =

Heavy Gauss
Pros:
* Has more accurate Aimed shot
* Doesn't use exotic materials in construction

Cons:
* Lower Gauss damage modifiers
* Heavy
* Large
* Two-handed
* Low Ammo Capacity
* Slower Build Time
* Can only be manufactured

Sonic Pistol
Pros:
* Higher Sonic damage modifiers
* Smaller
* Lighter
* Faster
* Powerful
* High ammo capacity
* One handed
* Can be collected for a limited time

Con:
* Ammo must be manufactured with Zrbite
* Gun must be manufactured with Aqua Plastics

= Summary =

Even though not everything was covered in the above (such as early availability and research time), it is clear that the Sonic Pistol is superior to the Heavy Gauss in performance despite its higher production cost. The Heavy Gauss on the other hand is the cheaper mass-production alternative.