ReactiveDrop
New Weapon: (Unnamed; Flechette Launcher)
Making this weapon unlockable through the new item system. Might want to redesign the projectile so it's less Combine-adjacent. Should probably also redo the UV map so the texture is more uniform-sized.
While it's being cooked, which I assume will take years, maybe revert the projectiles? Since that's an easier approach compared to balancing the current ones.
Why I care: this weapon is utilized in some challenges well pre-dating the redesign (Give Me the Power, Short Memory, maybe Scavenger too). While I appreciate giving it unique icons and model, its current gameplay utility is only a tiny bit higher than fire extinguisher's on a fireless flamerless mission. Other than the wow factor of a rapid rocket launcher, it used to be a potentially strong attrition tool like the flamethrower (and somehow shared ammo with it) due to area-of-effect flinch/stumble/whatever is the replacement term for the standard videogame "stun". Now it can't even burn biomass with the biomass-ignites-from-explosions cvar on! The arm time for the mine is obscene even in eyes of someone used to play with galaxy ping, and it does not react to enemies stepping on it. The inability to refill the gun feels like an insult, as neither of its incarnations are anywhere near the .50 cal or GL power levels to justify that.
Why did it need to replace the old Flechette, anyway? Why can't the new Flechette be made into a separate thing like the Pulse Rifle (the one with bouncy pushing altfire), with restoration of the old one, so both parties - players (they get an usable gun) and devs (you keep your coding playground readily available) - are happy? Are there some hardcoded limitations for # of weapons? (Judging from the plans for many new items, no.)
