Learning goals
- Understand spearguns at a basic level.
- Understand that some Primaries have special throws, alt-fire, modes, or interactions.
- Learn to read weapon descriptions.
- Learn to test unusual mechanics before investing.
Explanation
Some Primary weapons have special mechanics that make them feel unlike standard guns. Spearguns can often be fired normally and thrown or used through an alternate mechanic. Other Primaries may have alt-fire modes, charge levels, projectile splitting, ricochets, transformation behavior, conditional bonuses, headshot triggers, Incarnon transformations, ammo conversion, battery rules, or explosive arming behavior.
What should I do?
When a Primary weapon feels unusual, read the weapon description, check primary fire, check secondary fire or alt-fire, test it against normal and grouped enemies, watch ammo, reload, and range behavior, and decide whether the special mechanic is useful or just fun.
How to avoid wasting time
Do not ignore alt-fire. Some weapons are mediocre if you only use the basic trigger, but powerful or useful when their alternate mechanic is understood.
Common mistakes
Watch for these Primary weapon habits while testing and investing.
- Treating unusual Primaries like normal rifles.
- Never testing alt-fire.
- Ignoring weapon descriptions.
- Assuming unique mechanics are always stronger.
- Investing because the weapon looks cool without understanding the gameplay.
Practical example
A speargun may act like a normal projectile weapon until thrown, where it creates a special effect. If the player never tests the throw, they miss the reason the weapon exists.
Key Takeaways
- Some Primary weapons are designed around special mechanics. Read, test, then judge.
Practical task
Many weapons hide their value in alternate behavior.
- Pick one Primary weapon with an unusual description if available.
- Test primary fire.
- Test secondary fire or alt-fire.
- Check whether the weapon charges, transforms, throws, chains, explodes, or creates an effect.
- Write down what makes it different from a normal rifle.
You can explain the special mechanic in one sentence.