[Badjuju]

I have spent a fair bit of time on all factions, particularly TR and VS(which use to be my main). It is my opinion that the Orion and SV-88 are the best LMGs the game has to offer at the moment for their respective niches. However, I wouldn't say the advantage that they provide is as great as the author insinuates.

I am going to ignore the NS lmg as I don't find it to be a good weapon making it rather irrelevant. You can easily make arguments for personal preference for certain traits but I think each faction has a better weapon for any situation you may be using it in.

A 33% strafing speed buff while ADS is a very strong benefit plain and simple. As the two LMGs already have excellent stats for their roles, it really sets them apart. It is going to make you harder to hit, thus increasing the chances you will survive any given engagement (assuming you take full advantage of it). It is something I notice whether going against or playing a VS heavy using one of these two weapons. I should probably mention that part of my reasoning for declaring these LMGs king is my firm belief that it is the close to medium range engagements that matter the most in this game (infantry wise), which is their territory.

This isn't to say that other factions cant compete or do not have their own weapons with their own benefits. All three factions have some great weapons to choose from, I just don't think the have as well rounded and benefits as the Orion and SV-88.

The biggest downside to the VS lmgs is mag size. Then comes the argument of at what point does the benefits of having a larger mag start to plain off, allowing other attributes to shine more. 100 rounds? 150? 200? My optimal set up would probably have at least 75 rounds (for squad play), then start putting the rest to reload speed. This gives enough rounds to take on a decent sized push or stream of players. At a certain point though I am going to want to reload to refresh my mag and don't want to go down because I am caught in a longer reload. I prefer weapons which allow me to reload in between engagements with out much penalty allowing me too maintain a more steady and faster pace.

This is why I am not bothered too much by the smaller mag size of the VS LMGs when it comes to my personal preference. I just don't feel the need for the extra rounds benefits me as much as the ability to spend shorter periods out side of the fight. Some people may feel different and want 150 rounds, which is fine and understandable. However these two traits are kind of in a tug of war with each other, so depending on where you stand on reload vs. mag side preferences, the VS movement speed buff may or may not be a flat out benefit.

If I had to pick an LMG to use and would be stuck with it. I would pick orion for solo or small squad play, SV-88 for full squad or platoon play, fallowed closely by the anchor then Carv. This is how I feel LMG balance falls for those close to med/long engagements (admittedly i haven't used the anchor in a while, but my outfit is on NC a fair bit and like the anchor over carv, but it easily be the other way around).

I personally think the VS are the clear cut winners, but its not by allot and nothing I am going to hold grievances over, especially in a game trying to emphasize faction traits.