What LMG next ?

So, I'm working towards my LMG directive as a cancerous VS HA...

I'm done auraxiuming the Orion and I switched to the NS-15M a while back which I unlocked in some Steam bundle that was very cheap during the last summer sales...

I like the NS-15M a lot but I still lack accuracy with it, I'm only at 18% where I'm at 23% with the Orion, but considering how lower it was in the beginning, it's only going up and I'm confident I'll end up at 21 to 23% by the time I auraxium it.

Since they introduced banner, instead of going full Auraxium by Auraxium (which would take me an awful lot of time considering how little time I spend on this game recently), I've decided to aim for the Expert level of the directive to at least get the banner (yeah, I'm a little bit of an achievement hunter when I can) so since I already had the NS-15M and Orion at least with a gold medal, I needed two new LMG.

The /ps2g/ fellows obviously told me to go for the SVA-88 and a few told me about the Flare. Considering the SVA-88 stats, I was afraid it would be too similar (in terms of effective range) to the NS-15M, so I went for the Flare with extended magazine first... Damn, I love this weapon because it feels really different than the NS-15M which already felt very different than the Orion. But more importantly, It was somehow more friendly to me than the NS-15M since I'm already, after "only" 130 kills, at 21% accuracy and I'm going up each time I play (at least the Recursion Stat Tracker says so) thanks to the burst (which I'm still not good enough to control myself ><).

Now I'm hoping to get the "final" advice on which fourth LMG I should go to, to try to experience that same feel of difference using it... So, SVA-88, Ursa, Polaris or Pulsar?

Also, I know I could trial each weapon but honestly, it doesn't give me much information since you can try them without attachment, and if I had tried the Flare with nothing I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as I do now. And VR isn't really enough since you can really see how effective it is with moving target and such.

TL;DR : I have the Orion, the NS-15M and the Flare. I like each weapon because they each feel really different. Which LMG should I pick next to try to get the same feel of difference?

Well, I'm no expert on vanu weaponry, but wouldn't Ursa fit your parameters? I mean, it's the least 'same-y' in the LMG category, isn't it?

I've heard people say the Polaris isn't that grand. Out of your grouping I get killed by the SVA-88 the most, then the Ursa. Can't say much about how they handle just frequency of usage against me.

From what I've heard, the Ursa is quite comparable to the Flare as far as long range goes...

How can you possibly have worse accuracy with the NS-15M compared to the Orion? Orion is a paint mixer, while NS-15M is a headshot machine!

(Only way I can think of is that you use the NS-15M at triple the distances you try to use the Orion).

But... the whole design idea behind NS weapons is low DPS for high accuracy... how... what...

I used the Orion mainly in CQC battle and I had no problem getting kills but after a while I didn't even bother trying to kill targets above 40 meters, that's why my accuracy didn't suffer that much. I'm doing the opposite with the NS-15M as I seek the mid to long range battle and that was new to me. I started with a really really low accuracy (I think I was at 14% during my first 70 kills), the recoil patern somehow messed me up, and I was trying to full auto like a ******. Now, I'm more used to do some bursting (but still learning) and in my last sessions with the NS-15M, I'm in the 20% accuracy range (slowly increasing) and I have the highest HSR I've ever had with any weapon. But remember that right now, I only have 250 kills with the NS-15M. I just started on the wrong foot with this weapon. Also, I think that I'm doing good with the Flare right now because I've learn from the mistakes I made with the NS-15M for the more long-ranged oriented fights (how to lead targets at longer range, how to burst, aim for the head, etc.).

The most different to what you've experienced up to that point is probably the Polaris which is quite weird (CQC LMG -hipfire specialist- with low dps concept). After that the Ursa (longer range focus, shouldn't be played like the Flare), then the LSW/SVA which are very similar (the LSW is mostly a downgrade of the SVA).

If this is an attempt to auraxium 5 LMGs then go with the SVA-88 next, as it feels very similar to the Orion and you keep the 0.75 ads speed which you'll be used to with both the Orion and NS-15M (when you switch back to a gun without this feature, after getting used to it for a while, it throws off your aim for a bit). The SVA-88 is a brilliant gun overall.

Once you've auraxium'd that, then the next choice is also a no brianer (unless you have more than one of the NS-15M variants), and that's the Pulsar LSW. It's not great at anything, or particularly good at anything, but it's not a million miles away from the feel of the SVA-88, so you should be able to adapt to it fairly quickly.

After that, don't bother unlocking anything else, you already have the Flare, just suffer that and auraxium it.....although having said that, I suffered through it at times, but was oddly fond of the gun by the time I gave it up. It's also worth noting that the best performer in our squad during the server smash world final (he was 2nd or 3rd over all for kills), actually used the flare for that match....so it can't be that bad.

Yea, well, I've auraxiumed 4 different NS-15M on my VS so far. Can't stand how inaccurate the Orion is after that.

I won't argue with that, the few times I touched the Orion recently it felt... weird. I replaced the Orion with the Eridani as far as CQC/Mid range duty goes and I'm happy like that.

So, appart from 4 different NS-15M, do you know the other LMG well appart from the Orion ?

As someone who loves the ex-mags Flare more than even the Orion, I would do the SVA-88 and then Polaris.

The Ursa's lower ROF I feel like it just too low. 577 or 600 are the perfect ROF for 167 weapons and 550 just didn't click with me even chaining headshots, but still try it.

The Pulsar is the SVA-88... only without the 0.75 ADS or even the option to equip a compensator so don't use it.

The Polaris is like a 100 round NS-15 that trades accuracy for DPS. Plus it's the only other VS LMG that gets access to SPA outside of the Flare. If I wasn't working on the anniversary NS-15 I'd still be using this. I found that SPA+Grip works best as it has super low vertical recoil so the compensator isn't necessary, and the added hip fire accuracy really helps when you get jumped or run into someone up close.

The SVA-88... I'll say that it's a shell of it's former self but it's not bad if you're not super aggressive with it like you can be with the Flare or Orion. It's still alright but you want to use a compensator+grip and never HVA.

So yeah, basically all the other options available for me are still somewhat a variant from the three I already own... So, I'll avoid the Pulsar but all the other ones are valid. Honestly, I tried each one in VR and Ursa's slow ROF didn't really bother me, just shooting at stuff in the VR isn't enough, but I might trial it to see, even without the attachments, what it provides. If I'm not convinced, then I'll make my choice between the SVA-88 and the Polaris.

If you like the NS-15M, then you'll want to look at the accuracy of the Ursa. A lot of people look at the stats of the Flare and Ursa and then based on cost, go Flare because it's dramatically cheaper, and then they justify that decision based on stats rather than ever actually trying the Ursa. I Auraxiumed the Ursa, and other than the TMG-50 it was my easiest Auraxium so far. The Ursa is smooth like butter at medium and long range. It's not great for clearing buildings, but if you're outside, it's amazing. I also Auraxiumed the Flare, and I hated every minute of it, because I prefer accuracy over spray-n-pray.

Ursa and Flare are the VS "big damage" 167 LMGs. The Polaris feels a bit like the Ursa at range, meaning that it's very accurate and easy to control, even in longer bursts.

From the VS arsenal, the Ursa feels the most like the TMG-50, and a bit like the EM6, but more controllable.

I'm currently working on my Polaris, and while I wish it was 167, I don't have any complaints about it. Comp, FGrip, SoftPoint and either a 2x or IRNV and you're good to go.

Edit: Currently L82 VS and I have yet to kill anybody with the Orion. I don't even have it certed out.

Ursa = Best VS long range LMG, just all around better than Flare.
Polaris = Good in everything, not great in anything. But all around quite strong.
SVA-88 = You take it for the 0.75 ADS movement. Not vastly different from Orion, but compared to Orion geared towards longer range (compensator, lower ROF etc.)
Pulsar = A cheaper, weaker version of SVA-88. Recommended only if you're on a budget.

For myself, I am going with Orion, Ursa, Polaris, SVA-88 and Flare.

So yeah, I just tried the Ursa again in VR and I think I'll save the certs and go for that. Thanks everyone for the advice.

I am doing Orion, Ursa, Flare, NS-15M, Pulsar LSW.
Is it worth getting the SVA-88 over the LSW, or should I just do it with the very meh LSW since it was free?

Try out the LSW for a bit and see if you like it. It handles really well, and it gets the job done. LevelCap reviewed the Pulsar LSW (not sure if outdated by game tweaks) a few times and it seemed to be his gun of choice. Clearly he'd be amazing with any weapon, but he tried them all and liked the LSW.

I've had the SVA-88 since launch and meh. It's never appealed to me for some reason.

If it wasn't for the betelgeuse and the LMG directive, the only LMG's you want as VS are the Orion and SVA-88. I'd auraxium that instead of the Ursa or Flare if I was you.

Yes, you want the SVA-88.

Before it was turbo nerfed it was our best LMG, even over the Orion. It's a shell of it's former self, but it's still much better than the Pulsar since it's greater recoil can be overcome by both a grip and compensator compared to the Pulsar only being able to use a grip and you get that sweet, sweet 0.75 ADS.

Also, don't overlook the Polaris. It's actually incredibly good despite what it's stats tell you.