Zhuge Prime feels very lacking compared to Acceltra

[Redpaws]

For such a high MR prime weapon, with a very suicidal gimmick (sticky arrows + delayed explosions + rapid fire + self damage is not the best combo), it feels... Rather lackluster. Though the worst part?

The Acceltra is outright better than Zhuge Prime in almost every single way.

To make a comparison, what does Zhuge Prime got going for it over the acceltra? Well...

Higher total damage (90 vs 79)
Significantly higher status chance (30% vs 6%)
Significantly more spare ammo (270 vs 98)
Great against nullifier bubbles (only time the delayed explosion is a benefit)
Silent
Double fire rate bonus from mods

Now, what advantages does Acceltra have?

Higher AoE damage (44 vs 40)
Significantly larger AoE (4m vs 2.2m)
Detonates instantly on impact, no need to wait 0.6 seconds after hitting to deal full damage.
Safety distance of 7m, making it MUCH harder to accidentally blowing yourself up. A lot safer to use in general.
Higher crit chance (32% vs 26%)
Significantly higher crit damage (2.8x vs 2.0x)
More than double the projectile speed (70 m/s vs 30)
More than double the fire rate (12 vs 5.5)
Larger magazine (48 vs 30)
Faster reload when sprinting. Equal reload when not, provided Zhuge Prime runs dry before reloading.
Low recoil. Zhuge Prime has INSANE recoil when hipfired.
Higher accuracy at long range due to arrows deviating after a certain distance. Roughly equal accuracy at medium range and below.
Lower MR requirement (MR 8 vs 14)

As it is, the Acceltra massively outperforms Zhuge Prime against both single target and crowd clearing, as well as user safety. Even with the lack of status chance, the insane crits means it can make extremely good use out of Hunter Munitions + viral. It's easier to use, it kills faster since it doesn't have to wait for the explosions, and it doesn't risk having enemies charge into you with a dozen arrows embedded into them for a quick, painful suicide. The fact it is such a high MR weapon, and a Prime weapon, feels baffling, especially in this particular comparison. Even more so due to the Acceltra being released so shortly after Zhuge Prime.

 

How to fix it?

Zhuge Prime needs some kind of buff to make it actually feel worthwhile to use. Either make it have a MUCH larger AoE to make it a better crowd clearer than the Acceltra, or give it an even smaller AoE, shorter/no explosion delay, and much higher base damage to make it superior against single targets. It needs SOMETHING in any case. And... It also really need to either have a safety feature, alternative fire mode (innate punch through instead of explosions maybe?), or just have self damage removed completely.

I'd personally prefer a greatly boosted damage with most of the AoE removed, being more akin to bolts exploding internally for massive single target damage than a carpet bombing tool (which the Acceltra already got covered). A Prime weapon that's harder to use shouldn't feel so utterly overshadowed and inferior to a basic weapon that shares a similar explosive gimmick, is easier to acquire, easier to use, and have a much lower MR requirement. Acceltra is basically Zhuge Prime 2.0.

Any chance we could get some love for the only primary Prime crossbow we currently have?

[NinjaZeku]

I feel similarly about Astilla.

Some more base damage and bigger AoE on the explosions
- as well as a proper radial blast rather than this half circle or whatever shape nonsense -
in addition to maybe a Max Ammo buff (inb4 the Gara boost, that's kinda way too significant to be limited to one Frame)
would all really help to make this lovely weapon less forgotten.

_{And no, please don't take this topic as an incentive to nerf Acceltra, it's a fine weapon with enough drawbacks.}

[ES-Flinter]

Am 23.2.2020 um 22:45 schrieb NinjaZeku:

And no, please don't take this topic as an incentive to nerf Acceltra, it's a fine weapon with enough drawbacks.

Will the Zhuge get it deserved buff? Or will the Acceltra just get nerfed? Found out in the next episode of dragon... oh wrong game.

Am 23.2.2020 um 21:49 schrieb Redpaws:

I'd personally prefer a greatly boosted damage with most of the AoE removed, being more akin to bolts exploding internally for massive single target damage than a carpet bombing tool (which the Acceltra already got covered).

This, but instead of a good boost in damage give it a massive boost. But for that the explosion will detonate on impact and inflict selfdamage. (Why not using selfdamage as an argument to make weapons top tier?^^)

[EinheriarJudith]

all zhuge prime needs is to have that ridiculous self damage removed. you are comparing a (what should be) non explosive weapon to an explosive weapon.

[NinjaZeku]

4 hours ago, EinheriarJudith said:

self damage removed

Well, that's happening 🙂