For the first time in 14 seasons (I’m counting S0), I’m genuinely annoyed with the effectiveness of the 301. I use to be in the “301 is the most balanced gun in the game” clan, but I’ve really been thinking more and more about what makes weapons stronger and or weak. If you consider the combination of the following, I think it’s easy to identify the 301 as problematic:1) Ease of use (recoil)2) Damage output (DPS and overall damage per mag)3) Versatility (how the weapon performs at different ranges and in different situations)4) Drop rate (how easy it is to find one)I think if a gun is going to “out perform” other guns, it should probably have a higher learning and skill curve. But I feel (finally) like the 301 is simply too easy to use in light of its other strengths.I don’t think its “broken”, just too effective and it’s basically all I find myself fighting against.

It's still the best gun in the game.You can obviously score kllls with anything, but you're never going to go wrong with an R-301, because it does everything at least okay. Always, there's a limited number of OP weapons you want to pick up, but even when the 301 is off the ground, you'll notice people gravitate to the 'most R-301' like weapons, and they just try to compensate for the differences. Flatline and Hemlok being the go tos. Obviously, other weapons that rule, currently, are the PK and Wingman, aforementioned Flatline is great, a TT is still the best 'sniper' weapon, if you have the skill, a 30-30. Hemlok is underrated. But at the end of the day, even if I pick up one of these weapons, most often I want my second weapon to be an R-301, because it always fills in the blanks these weapons don't.I'm not necessarily down on that, but yes, it is what it is.

@Axs5626Sxa5001I've always viewed that gun as a noob starter gun. Anyone who doesn't know how to shoot other weapons will gravitate towards it. It's the easiest gun to use aside from the alternator and it's everyone's favorite after playing the game for like 2 hours. R99 / Flatline / Wingman all day long for me. They are harder to use but the payoff is big if you have the know how. I get what you mean though...it's easy to be "good" with it and easy to find. The og spitfire was the same way.edit: You know what? I'll just say it. It's the "Valk" of weapons lol.

As I said in the other thread.I remember older seasons however, before all other AR's and LMG's were hit with nerfs. Back then you could run pretty much any gun from those categories and not feel like "missing out" or disadvantaging yourself by not having a R301. Now the difference between R301 and everything else is just too great to not pick it up. Sadge

@Axs5626Sxa5001 It never gets touched in the meta adjustment carousel.

@Sonvekk Yep, they call me wild child.They are harder to use at range, they have heavier recoil patterns. It's that simple.

R301 Legends: I think I get it now

24 Replies

KelRiever
3 years ago
It's still the best gun in the game.
You can obviously score kllls with anything, but you're never going to go wrong with an R-301, because it does everything at least okay. Always, there's a limited number of OP weapons you want to pick up, but even when the 301 is off the ground, you'll notice people gravitate to the 'most R-301' like weapons, and they just try to compensate for the differences. Flatline and Hemlok being the go tos.
Obviously, other weapons that rule, currently, are the PK and Wingman, aforementioned Flatline is great, a TT is still the best 'sniper' weapon, if you have the skill, a 30-30. Hemlok is underrated. But at the end of the day, even if I pick up one of these weapons, most often I want my second weapon to be an R-301, because it always fills in the blanks these weapons don't.
I'm not necessarily down on that, but yes, it is what it is.
Sand_spitter
3 years ago
@Axs5626Sxa5001I've always viewed that gun as a noob starter gun. Anyone who doesn't know how to shoot other weapons will gravitate towards it. It's the easiest gun to use aside from the alternator and it's everyone's favorite after playing the game for like 2 hours. R99 / Flatline / Wingman all day long for me. They are harder to use but the payoff is big if you have the know how. I get what you mean though...it's easy to be "good" with it and easy to find. The og spitfire was the same way.
edit: You know what? I'll just say it. It's the "Valk" of weapons lol.
hayhor
Hero
3 years ago
@Axs5626Sxa5001 It never gets touched in the meta adjustment carousel.
Cheese9Man
3 years ago
@Axs5626Sxa5001 Easily my favorite gun right now. Only thing I hate about it is that I can’t kill anyone without a mag and the iron sights (though not the worst) needs a 1x site for me.
Sand_spitter
3 years ago
@Cheese9ManYou see, this is what I don't get...

From my understanding you are actually really good at the game, but you can't use the iron sights?

I don't mean to flex or anything, but I can one clip pretty easily with an R301 at medium range, no mag, iron sights. Same with an R9 but not as easily tho...also Flatline and pretty much anything aside from a P20 and Moz.

I know your stats are better than mine. Question is why? I don't mean to be rude, but it seems logical that if all else was equal my stats would be higher? I don't get it. And I've seen this over and over where people have good stats, rack up crazy high win rates and kd/s but they can't shoot. Again, not saying you can't shoot, you are clearly a good player, but it just doesn't make sense to me. Same with OP who is in top 30 I think world wide on Xbox with headshots yet he has like a 2% win rate?
Also, it seems most opponents don't miss either...

Again, I'm convinced that lobbies are not equal for all players.
Sonvekk
3 years ago
you wild if you think r99 and flatline are harder to use.
Sand_spitter
3 years ago
@Sonvekk Yep, they call me wild child.

They are harder to use at range, they have heavier recoil patterns. It's that simple.
CCbathwater
Seasoned Ace
3 years ago
As I said in the other thread.
I remember older seasons however, before all other AR's and LMG's were hit with nerfs. Back then you could run pretty much any gun from those categories and not feel like "missing out" or disadvantaging yourself by not having a R301. Now the difference between R301 and everything else is just too great to not pick it up. Sadge
hayhor
Hero
3 years ago
@Sand_spitter I'm not a fan of the r301 iron sights either. It's just a preference thing and likely not a lobby thing. I don't remember who said it but someone said they actually like the hemlock irons. Until the 3030 was released I considered them the worst on the game.
Sand_spitter
3 years ago
@hayhor I still sometimes play whole matches with iron sights if I can't get a sight to drop. It's not ideal but it still works fine in terms of accuracy. But he specifically says he can't play with it at all, also needs a mag. At his level it shouldn't really matter. It could only be a lobby thing if you think about it, and it's not the 1st time I've seen this.