[Issue 28] [Comparison] Railgun or Shaft?

[Thekillerpenguin 1,731]

RAIL FTW

 

Alrighty, let me state this right up: Rail is definitely better. A good railgunner can act just as good or better than a Shaft in the sniper role, and simply blows the Shaft out of the water for everything else. Maneuverability (and thus, the ability to take cover) is a key asset. Let me put it this way: a double armor Mammoth can take 840 hit points...but good cover can provide infinite armor. This is compounded by the fact that there is no such thing as a sniping position that can be only taken from one angle. While Shafty is staring at one spot, shoot from the other. (Another weakness of Shaft, right there: predictability. Unless at extreme distance, you can generally tell where a Shaft is looking by where his gun is pointing. Not so with rail.) While it is true that rail takes 1.1 seconds to charge, most of that time can still be spent behind cover, whereas the Shaft has no choice but to wait in an exposed position. Also, a good player can tell where a Shaft is after being shot once (or before, if they have a good eye and know the map). (Sorry for rambling.)

 

One last fact: Do you know how many of the "pro" teams use Shafts in tournament games? Zip (last time I checked). Do you know how many use rails? Almost all of them. Case settled.

Railgun gives away your almost exact position immediately if you manage to get a shot off on somebody, thanks to the tracer. Not the best for stealth. It also doesn't have one-hit-kill capabilities against hulls of the same modification (excluding micro-upgrades). Lastly, Railgun is not good for either extreme long-range shots or trick shots (someone's poking just a little bit of their hull out of cover, for example). I've sniped multiple Railgun users by the barrels of their turrets. I'm pretty sure you can't do the same with Railgun.

 

Also, just FYI, those "pro" clans don't get to pick what turret they use, since it's determined by the format. Light Format (used in Star Series) allows 1 Smoky per team; everyone else is forced to use Railgun. I'm pretty sure that quite a few of them would use Shaft were it allowed.

 

That said, I'm a Railgun fan as well. I just believe that Shaft and Railgun both have their own roles on the battlefield; while I can use Railgun for long range sniping, and I can use Shaft for close to medium range combat, it won't turn out as well. Railgun is for more mobile players; if you want to kick back and relax, Shaft is for you.

[Rajan_360 0]

Railgun is more fun xD

[Magnificence 126]

Railgun all the way .. I only Prefer Shafts In Stadium, But I have Rail and Shaft M0 :P , So .. still Railgun.

[aBdUlLaHkInGg 39]

Nice comparison as always.

[hogree 4,179]

I just thought Id mention one extra consideration regarding the topic. At low ranks, players are less aware as they have to focus more on their own driving as they are less accustomed with the game. This means Shaft has an advantage because players move (generally speaking) in straight lines, enabling far easier shot-making. This is why Shaft is particularly good at low ranks - and less effective at high ranks, due to more skilful opponents. Makes a big difference. Shaft is much much harder to weald effectively at the top ranks.

[Athena369 265]

Railgun gives away your almost exact position immediately if you manage to get a shot off on somebody, thanks to the tracer. Not the best for stealth. It also doesn't have one-hit-kill capabilities against hulls of the same modification (excluding micro-upgrades). Lastly, Railgun is not good for either extreme long-range shots or trick shots (someone's poking just a little bit of their hull out of cover, for example). I've sniped multiple Railgun users by the barrels of their turrets. I'm pretty sure you can't do the same with Railgun.

 

Also, just FYI, those "pro" clans don't get to pick what turret they use, since it's determined by the format. Light Format (used in Star Series) allows 1 Smoky per team; everyone else is forced to use Railgun. I'm pretty sure that quite a few of them would use Shaft were it allowed.

 

That said, I'm a Railgun fan as well. I just believe that Shaft and Railgun both have their own roles on the battlefield; while I can use Railgun for long range sniping, and I can use Shaft for close to medium range combat, it won't turn out as well. Railgun is for more mobile players; if you want to kick back and relax, Shaft is for you.

This is exactly the reason why railgun is mobile. What's the point even if the enemy notices your position when you can shoot them back from another place 6 secs later. And i do believe that shaft has even more issues when it comes to this . A skilled tanker can always notice a shafter using the muzzle flash hat occurs when shooting and know the shafters whereabouts ,the crucial thing is most of he shaft users out there are NOT used to moving around their tank and shafts usually mounted on heavy hull which can be easily located and killed for their same "noobly" repetitive procedure.

 

and are you really kidding me with the fact that rail has no hit and run capabilities?+ a skilled railgunner can easily make an extreme long range without moving . ( I'm sure if you follow the starladder matches regularly you an understand how easily they make shots at extreme ranges even while moving.)

 

and FYI railgun is chosen for light format because it REQUIRES tons more skills to be mastered and it is easier to recognize the skills when rail is being used.

 

IMHO shaft or the noobtube should be removed from this game. ( which i know will not happen :) ). It just keeps breeding new generations of noobs.

 

p.s

This is just my opinion and I'm sure all whom it may concern understand he simple fact that i have a right to express it. ( I'm tired of tons of "self acclaimed" pro shaft users just hating my replies on different threads lel :D)

[Mr.Ashir 365]

Railgun is the best GUN :)

 

[bin-alahdal 14]

Shaft !  :D ( SooN M3 ) 

[jronnie 3]

Railgun ftw

[Gamma 99]

Railgun is the best GUN :)

Rail-GUN is the only GUN in the game   :P 

Edited November 2, 2014 by Gamma

[rebeen2 2]

RAIL FTW

 

Alrighty, let me state this right up: Rail is definitely better. A good railgunner can act just as good or better than a Shaft in the sniper role, and simply blows the Shaft out of the water for everything else. Maneuverability (and thus, the ability to take cover) is a key asset. Let me put it this way: a double armor Mammoth can take 840 hit points...but good cover can provide infinite armor. This is compounded by the fact that there is no such thing as a sniping position that can be only taken from one angle. While Shafty is staring at one spot, shoot from the other. (Another weakness of Shaft, right there: predictability. Unless at extreme distance, you can generally tell where a Shaft is looking by where his gun is pointing. Not so with rail.) While it is true that rail takes 1.1 seconds to charge, most of that time can still be spent behind cover, whereas the Shaft has no choice but to wait in an exposed position. Also, a good player can tell where a Shaft is after being shot once (or before, if they have a good eye and know the map). (Sorry for rambling.)

 

One last fact: Do you know how many of the "pro" teams use Shafts in tournament games? Zip (last time I checked). Do you know how many use rails? Almost all of them. Case settled.

nobody is saying the rail isnt good....a good railer could dominate...but all it takes is 1 shaft to put that rail in its position..i have taken out many a railers who you and any1 else would consider a great if not pro railer with 1 shaft hit...u say that shafts are predictable...but the rails are also predictable if not more...if they are hiding behind a building...all u have to do is see how many spots they can shoot u or any1 else from while being able to hide behind that building...and more often than not the railers will have a system of shooting...they usually shoot at one side than go to the other side and shoot again and go back to the other side which makes it all to easy for a shafter to pick out a railer..i have done this many times...heck i even wait for them to charge there rail up and than shoot them....makes them think that they where soooo close lols!!!

 

yours truely Shafty McShafterson :)

[rebeen2 2]

This is exactly the reason why railgun is mobile. What's the point even if the enemy notices your position when you can shoot them back from another place 6 secs later. And i do believe that shaft has even more issues when it comes to this . A skilled tanker can always notice a shafter using the muzzle flash hat occurs when shooting and know the shafters whereabouts ,the crucial thing is most of he shaft users out there are NOT used to moving around their tank and shafts usually mounted on heavy hull which can be easily located and killed for their same "noobly" repetitive procedure.

 

and are you really kidding me with the fact that rail has no hit and run capabilities?+ a skilled railgunner can easily make an extreme long range without moving . ( I'm sure if you follow the starladder matches regularly you an understand how easily they make shots at extreme ranges even while moving.)

 

and FYI railgun is chosen for light format because it REQUIRES tons more skills to be mastered and it is easier to recognize the skills when rail is being used.

 

IMHO shaft or the noobtube should be removed from this game. ( which i know will not happen :) ). It just keeps breeding new generations of noobs.

 

p.s

This is just my opinion and I'm sure all whom it may concern understand he simple fact that i have a right to express it. ( I'm tired of tons of "self acclaimed" pro shaft users just hating my replies on different threads lel :D)

im not hating by saying this...but it seems to me like ur one who has been killed one to many times by a shafter lols :)

[SicTransitGloria 76]

im not hating by saying this...but it seems to me like ur one who has been killed one to many times by a shafter lols :)

Let's just say there's a reason I own "Dirty" paint.

 

Seriously, I can take a Shaft hit and survive in fine order. "But Double Damage will take you out!" Yeah, well, my Double Armor will negate it. Oh, and guess who else can one shot anyone with double damage? Railgun.

 

Rebeen, I hate to say this, but...you probably play noobs. Sorry, but the people with some good rail skills are likely higher rank, simply because it takes so dang long how to use it perfectly.

 

Thekillerpenguin: Yeah, Shaft is good for those shots, but Rail can be just as good. Seriously, I've pulled off dozens of those shots in Monte Carlo, tagging just the edge of the tank to kill it. Also, I'm pretty dang sure hitting the barrel does not count. I mean, you can stick your barrel through a wall, and I don't think it takes damage then.

[rebeen2 2]

Let's just say there's a reason I own "Dirty" paint.

 

Seriously, I can take a Shaft hit and survive in fine order. "But Double Damage will take you out!" Yeah, well, my Double Armor will negate it. Oh, and guess who else can one shot anyone with double damage? Railgun.

 

Rebeen, I hate to say this, but...you probably play noobs. Sorry, but the people with some good rail skills are likely higher rank, simply because it takes so dang long how to use it perfectly.

 

Thekillerpenguin: Yeah, Shaft is good for those shots, but Rail can be just as good. Seriously, I've pulled off dozens of those shots in Monte Carlo, tagging just the edge of the tank to kill it. Also, I'm pretty dang sure hitting the barrel does not count. I mean, you can stick your barrel through a wall, and I don't think it takes damage then.

haha i own dirty paint also (got mine in one of the two starter kits i bought) railgun is a great weapon and not all "pro" railers are higher rank than me...i have fought some railers who have been quite a few ranks lower than me and they have been a pain in the behind roflmao...basically what im trying to say is...no matter how good or pro the player is...if u know or get lucky enough to get the right shot off u will take them out and well set them back just a little...which might b long enough to put the game in ur teams favor :)

[Thekillerpenguin 1,731]

Thekillerpenguin: Yeah, Shaft is good for those shots, but Rail can be just as good. Seriously, I've pulled off dozens of those shots in Monte Carlo, tagging just the edge of the tank to kill it. Also, I'm pretty dang sure hitting the barrel does not count. I mean, you can stick your barrel through a wall, and I don't think it takes damage then.

Well, I guess my Railgun skills aren't at that level yet. I'm good enough to compete with the vast majority of Railgun players out there though.

 

The barrel of your turret is indeed part of your hitbox. If it's poking through a wall, it doesn't count, but if it's in your line of sight, you can snipe somebody by shooting it. Very difficult, but awesome when you pull it off.

[rebeen2 2]

Well, I guess my Railgun skills aren't at that level yet. I'm good enough to compete with the vast majority of Railgun players out there though.

 

The barrel of your turret is indeed part of your hitbox. If it's poking through a wall, it doesn't count, but if it's in your line of sight, you can snipe somebody by shooting it. Very difficult, but awesome when you pull it off.

i do that more oftan than not, i also hit the very edge of there "tires" or tips of there hulls when they have the hulls that have a pointy front thinking they are hidding than they explode, heck my favorite map(s) are Serpuhov and Rio...mostly Serpuhov :)

Edited November 3, 2014 by rebeen2

[SOMEBODY_online 26]

Shaft was my pro weapon...but rail is my pro weapon now ._.

[marcus935 0]

i think shaft by the damage secion :tank: hehe

[darrenisawesome 4]

rail gun is the best less reload time and If u have the good aim u can equal it up with shaft

[Pistolcc 38]

Rail is a dynamic turret which is a nightmare in the hands of a skilled and patient opponent, but who can deny the TO team all their work in creating a zoom graphic which magnifies your view to allow you to pick and choose both your opponent and their vulnerable points. 

 

Off the top of my head I can name Feodosia, Mitch, Kungfutank and yes even Happyending4u as great shafts. 

With rail I struggle a little, but t34tramp and froch are great. 

This is a debate I am inwardly having. what decides it for me is that as awesome as both weapons are, there are more paint defences for rail than for shaft. At higher ends a shaft would have to run from a picasso or,though rare, a jade attacker. Every other hornet is a mere toothpick. Rail on the other hand has a one shot kill on an M3+ hornet only after it has sustained some damage. Rail has to contend with nearly 50% defence in prodigi, digital and clay.

[tank_destroyer7 13]

For a start shaft is not for noobs! But i simply cannot decide which one is best i love them both and can play very well with them both 

[Madscorpion 81]

For a start shaft is not for noobs! But i simply cannot decide which one is best i love them both and can play very well with them both 

Some may disagree with you my friend. But I, personally think that Shaft is not for noobs either. I use it all the time. It takes patience and fast reaction times to master Shaft. But then again, you are just sitting there, far away and picking off enemy's, not doing much. Thats why some think that this is too easy to control, and that there is no skill required to use this gun, unlike Railgun, where you are consistently moving, and takes a while to get skilled with. But most don't actually know how hard it is to use Shaft, but then again, some may disagree with me.

 

But back to your statement about that Shaft isn't for noobs. I do get a few people saying that I'm a noob, because I use Shaft. Some people saying "MADSCORPION IS A NOOB" or "SHAFT IS FOR LOSERS LIKE MADSCORPION" and all of that nasty stuff. I even get some people going further than the common English language, and going into the Colourful World ( Aka swearing ). I wont do an example because I'll probably get banned.

 

I do get this a lot, being called a noob. And now I'm starting to think that Shaft is a curse, because of how many people are disliking me. But I don't really mind, because I understand that getting instantly killed, does make you frustrated and angry.

 

But in the end, I agree with you. Shaft isn't for noobs, and its hard to decide which is better, Rail or Shaft. Because they are both equally amazing!! :D

Edited November 6, 2014 by Madscorpion

[TriNitroToIuene 4,765]

M2 Railgun on New Yaer

[naruto2004tanki 14]

Shaft is for Noobs

Haters gonna hate

[Athena369 265]

Haters gonna hate

and noobs are gonna keep using shaft....