EM1 doesn't seem that bad?

SAW was better before the patch for attachments, EM6 is much better.

I'm current using the EM1; should have Auraxium with it sometime this weekend.

It fits a certain play style. It is NOT a T9 Carv or MSW-R, so comparing is not an option. It's rpm and damage profile is the same as the AF-18 Stalker scout rifle, only with a 100 round magazine.

The EM1, in terms of DPS, does not compare to weapons like the Anchor Blitz or Cyclone, but unlike the two SMGs, the EM1 can get you kill after kill with without having to reload with it's big 100 rd mag or 200 with extended magazines. It's a middle of the road weapon in terms of range, damage and RoF, and a GREAT suppression weapon.

If you're going solo, it's not a gun you want to be using. But in a squad, it's great for support.

And you'll still be much less effective over most genuine combat ranges than a standard TR/VS AI (and a Fracture AV) that isn't bothering to crouch.

Slugs just front load the damage (for an over all DPS nerf) this results in an extended range over pellets where they hit for more damage, but they are always more hit and miss than pellets and over a certain range this likely results in less DPS (on target) than pellets. The only reason they work at all is because if you empty two clips in somethings general direction you may well get a kill.

So yes Mattocks with slugs and crouching is your best option, but it's a weak and slow option comparatively.

This is the thing with the EM1 I think; it's a gun so it will kill things.

However when but up directly against almost anything else it comes in second.