Wanted a discussion if the benefits outway the cons, or vice versa, so what are your opinions on SPA?
Just did a thread about the same issue: Dev post: To clarify soft point ammo, it doesn't reduce your min damage. The only negative is a reduction in bullet speed. The positive is extended range before it takes one more bullet to kill (also slightly more damage at medium range, but the one less bullet to kill is the main feature). How far it extends that range is going to change based on the weapon. Problem with SPA is no one know(s) the number(s) for reductin in bullet speed? Is it a fixd number or flat % decrease? Same goes with range, could you please elaborate what the exact ranges are, so you could actually tell if its useful or completely worthless? So in reality, its equip and pray for it works for your gun.
SPA + Silencer = paintball rounds velocity Absolute TRASH for engagements past 15-20m... but lethal as hell in CQB
It completely depends on the gun and what range you're using it at. For SMGs where you're using them exclusively at short range, I'd say absolutely. For something you use at long range, hell no. I only use it on the SMG and the polaris (not sure what the TR/NC equivalent of that would be) as it's a hipfire beast that is best used at short-medium range.
If you got a gun which you use for hipfire and CQB, get it. If you want to use a gun for more then Close to Medium Range, don't even think about it
Yeah, soft point ammo is pretty wasteful on Assault Rifles and LMGs since those can deal more damage at longer ranges.
I like it on my CQC weapons. Hardly engage further than where bulletspeed comes into play, but quite often engage in 10+m so that small edge is welcomed there.
The choice of SPA or HVA seems to be down to a case by case basis. Base velocity, handling, and expected range will usually tell you if its worth using ammo types or not. 2nd generation SMGs were built to be used with SPA, with its quick damage fall off and low starting velocity. Most carbines work well with SPA as long as your not trying to range fight. HVA works better with weapons you consider needing to be marksman to use. Its almost mandatory for the Battle rifles, and work well with nearly all LMGs that have it.
SPA is pretty badass on flare or polaris, even at medium range I will prefer it to HVA, that seem to me a real waste. At range the worse recoil will prevent you from upping significantly your dps, and the speed reduction of SPA never stopped me from getting long range kills...